Harbor Beach 42, Cass City 8
Pirates Start Hot, Stay Hot, Finish Hot in Season Opener
August 29, 2025 — Week 01 — Harbor Beach, Michigan
The Pirates of Harbor Beach wasted no time to squash any doubts about their season’s possible trajectory, throttling the Cass City Red Hawks with a 42-8 victory to begin the 2025 MHSAA regular season.
Harbor Beach connected on their first six drives of the night for scores, leading at halftime 28-0 and later 35-0 in the third before Cass City was able to find the end zone for the first time. The Red Hawks’ night began with four straight three-and-out possessions, not gaining a first down until more than 15 minutes into the ball game. On their fifth and final drive of the first half, Cass City was able to put together a 19-play drive that took more than nine minutes off the clock, but a miscue as time expired kept the Red Hawks out of the end zone.
Caden Bucholtz led the Pirates during his 26th start at quarterback, running for 139 yards on just six carries for two touchdowns. Friday’s game marked the first time in his varsity career that Bucholtz has not attempted a pass in a game. Benson Harper finished with 50 yards, as did Rogan Messing; Harper scored the final touchdown of the first half while Messing broke free twice for the Pirates’ second and third scores of the night.
Harbor Beach faced just five third down situations the entire night, while Cass City finished the night converting on just five of their 15 third downs. Junior Red Hawk Will Perry led the rushing attack with 64 yards on 13 carries. Sophomore quarterback Preston Dorland scored the lone Cass City touchdown, finishing with 10 carries for 20 yards. Dorland had mild success through the air during his first varsity career start, completing four of his six pass attempts for 32 yards. Ryker Wallace left the game in the second half with an apparent ankle injury after a 30-yard, 11-carry night to go along with his two catches for 22 yards.
Cass City (0-0 | 0-1) will host Hemlock in the second week of the regular season for their home opener, while Harbor Beach (0-0 | 1-0) travels to Davison, MI to take on the Whiteford Bobcats (0-0 | 1-0) on Saturday at 1pm. Coverage from Davision High School will begin at 12:00pm on Sports Radio 102.1FM and wlewsports.com. Kickoff will follow at 1:00pm.