Harbor Beach 35, USA 12
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October 31, 2025 — MHSAA Division 08 Playoffs - District Semi-Final — Harbor Beach, Michigan
With an arsenal of weapons to choose from, it was Harbor Beach’s Keagun Potestivo who was the big-play running back of choice that surged the Pirates forward for their second-straight district championship with a 35-12 victory over the USA Patriots on Friday, November 07, 2025.
The Pirates scored on their first five drives of the night and brought in two interceptions, defeating a much-improved Unionville-Sebewaing Area team on a wind-swept night on the shores of Lake Huron. Andrew Kabban started the scoring for Harbor Beach, capping off a nine-play drive with a two-yard run into the endzone. Skiler Kruse kicked through the first of his five extra points to make it 7-0 halfway through the first quarter.
USA’s drive moved the ball with efficiency, even getting into Harbor Beach territory, but Davis Peters’ pass intended for Carson Dickson fell incomplete on fourth down, giving the ball back to the Pirates, which Potestivo turned into points on the very next play, a 54-yard touchdown run to make it 14-0 with 1:09 remaining in the first quarter. The Patriots responded well, returning the kick to begin at the Harbor Beach 48-yard line and used 15 plays to find the endzone for the first time — a Peters six-yard pass to Dickson. The two-point conversion run was stopped short of the endzone to make it a one-possession game, 14-6 with 4:31 remaining in the first half. It marked just the third game this season that the Pirate defense allowed a score in the first half.
Potestivo again found the endzone for his second touchdown of the night, a 12-yard run to extend the lead back out to two scores, 21-6. Just two plays later USA’s pass was picked off by Kabban with 16 seconds remaining in the second quarter at the Patriot 22-yard line. As time expired in the half, Caden Bucholtz connected with Skiler Kruse for a 20-yard catch to deliver a blow to USA, pushing the Pirate lead to 22 points at halftime after Kruse’s third successful point-after kick, 28-6.
Again, USA responded well starting the third quarter and marched 80 yards on another methodical drive, this time 14 plays, and finished by Bryson Finkbeiner diving into the endzone from one yard out. The two-point conversion failed but the score brought the Patriots back to within 16 points, 28-12. Unfortunately for USA, Harbor Beach’s ensuing drive resulted in more points, their fifth and final score when Bucholtz broke loose for a 42-yard rushing touchdown; Kruse’s fifth extra point pushed the lead to 23 points, 35-12 with a minute remaining in the third quarter. The fourth quarter began with successive drives resulting in a turnover-on-downs for each team. USA’s final drive consisted of 17 plays, spanning 50 yards, but ended with an interception as time ran out in the game.
Ameriprise Financial Player of the Game:
Keagun Potestivo
Keagun Potestivo led the Pirate attack with 83 yards on five carries for two touchdowns.
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Harbor Beach was led by Potestivo’s 83 yards on just five carries for two scores. Bucholtz was close behind with 69 yards on as many touches for one score. Through the air, Bucholtz attempted just two passes, completing one for a 20-yard touchdown to Kruse. As has been the case all season, USA was paced by Brady Green’s efforts, finishing with 88 yards on 22 carries. For the season, Green finished with 1,412 yards and 18 touchdowns, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. Peters went 2-6 in passing with two interceptions for 9 yards and one touchdown.
USA’s season finishes with a 7-4 record, their best record since 2016. Harbor Beach now advances to the Regional Championship in the MHSAA Divsion 08 Playoffs to host the defending and three-time state champions, the Beal City Aggies. That game will be featured on the WLEW Sports Network on Saturday, November 15, 2025 with coverage beginning at 12:00pm; kickoff to follow at 1:00pm.