Harbor Beach at Fowler – – MHSAA Tournament Regional Football Final – – The Bleacher Denizen – – November 16, 2024 – – by Chuck Krafft

Today, the Pirates from Harbor Beach are landing in Fowler to play the Eagles in the State Football Final. Harbor Beach enters the game with a perfect 11-0 record and won the Big Thumb – Black Conference title before defeating Ubly and Clarkston Everett Collegiate in their district. Fowler also has a perfect 11-0 record and won the Central Michigan Athletic Conference Championship before defeating Reese and Saginaw Michigan Lutheran Seminary in the district.

Fowler will be playing this game and the rest of its season without its leading rusher, Ford Phillips, who broke his collarbone in last week’s game.

Let us now look at the events of this game through the lenses of an older Bleacher Denizen whose football career was a bit disappointing, at least in some eyes. He was showing some promise as an offensive lineman before the football powers that be insisted that he stop using pepper spray during games. Once the defensive linemen lost their fear, his career was tossed into the scrap piles of history. Alas.

In a nice show of pre-game unity, the Harbor Beach and Fowler bands teamed up to play the National Anthem to open the game. They did a fine job.

Skiler Kruse opened the game for Harbor Beach by kicking off to the Pirates. Asher Koenigsknecht fielded the kick at the Eagle 5 yard line and returned it sixteen yards before he was stopped by John Learman and Keagen Potestivo. Fowler started its opening series on its own 21 yard line.

Jacob Halfmann took the ball up right tackle for a three yard first down gain; Skiler Kruse and Matt Geiger teamed up for the Pirate tackle. Dylan Arntz, Jonah Dimock and Keagen Nowiski teamed up to stop Fowler’s second down run for a one yard gain. On third down, Jacob Halfmann tossed a pass to Ben Kohagen for a fourteen yard gain and a first down. Luke Bischer made the tackle for the Pirates.

Jacob Halfmann went up the right tackle for a three yard first down gain. Keagen Nowiski got the tackle for Harbor Beach. Asher Koenigsknecht took the ball to the right for a three yard second down gain; Rogan Messing and Benson Harper made the Pirate tackle. Luke Bischer covered on Fowler’s long, incomplete third down pass. Jacob Halfmann’s fourth down punt went out of bounds at the Harbor Beach 27 yard line; the Pirates started their first series of the game from there.

Nate Spicer stopped the Pirate first down run up left tackle for no gain. Joe Epkey’s pressure on the quarterback caused an incomplete second down pass. Caden Bucholtz ran a quarterback keeper to the right for a three yard third down gain; Nate Spicer made the tackle for the Eagles. Benson Harper’s forty-four yard fourth down punt was downed by his teammate, Andrew Kabban, at Fowler’s 36 yard line.

Asher Koenigsknecht made a twenty yard run up the right tackle before he was stopped by Andrew Kabban.

Dustin Emerick stopped Fowler’s first down run for a three yard loss. Jacob Halfmann’s second down pass was caught by Ben Kohagen, who made an excellent diving grab for a seventeen yard gain and a first down at the Harbor Beach 30 yard line.

Skiler Kruse stopped Fowler’s first down run for no gain. Jacob Halfmann passed to Ben Kohagen over the middle for a sixteen yard second down gain; Benson Harper and Jonah Dimock got the stop for the Pirates.

On the next play, Asher Koenigsknecht ran to his left for a fourteen yard touchdown. Nate Spicer snapped the ball, Jacob Halfmann held the ball and Aaron Simon kicked the successful extra point through the uprights to give Fowler a 7-0 lead with 4:00 remaining in the opening quarter.

Aaron Simon booted his kickoff to the Pirate 25 yard line where Benson Harper grabbed it and gained fifteen yards to the right before he was swarmed by a nest full of Eagles. Harbor Beach started its drive on its own 40 yard line.

Alex Halfmann stopped Harbor Beach’s first down run to the right for a one yard gain. The Fowler line stopped Harbor Beach’s second down run for a two yard loss. Trevor Spicer, Alex Halfmann and Joe Epkey teamed up to sack the quarterback for a four yard third down loss. Benson Harper punted for Harbor Beach on fourth down. After a tremendous favorable bounce, Tanner Andrzejewski downed his teammate’s fifty-seven yard punt on Fowler’s 8 yard line; the Eagles started their next series there.

Asher Koenigsknecht stormed up the middle for a nine yard first down gain. On second down, Jacob Halfmann passed to Ben Kohagen; he gained nine yards and earned a first down before Andrew Kabban forced him out of bounds.

On the final play of the first quarter, Asher Koenigsknecht ran to the right and gained seven yards before he was tackled by Luke Bischer.

After one quarter, Fowler had a 7-0 lead. The Eagles had a second down with three yards to go situation on their own 33 yard line.

Rogan Messing and Tanner Andrzejewski teamed up to stop Fowler’s second down run up the middle for a one yard gain. Matt Geiger stopped the Eagle third down run for a one yard gain. Jacob Halfmann barreled up the middle for a three yard fourth down gain before Andrew Kabban tackled him to give his Eagles a first down.

Jacob Halfmann completed an eleven yard pass to Ben Kohagen on the sideline for another first down; Benson Harper pushed him out of bounds.

Jacob Halfmann faked a handoff and dashed up the middle for a five yard gain; Matt Geiger made the tackle for Harbor Beach. On the next play, Jacob Halfmann completed a pass to Ben Kohagen for a seven yard gain and another first down. Andrew Kabban made the Pirate tackle.

Asher Koenigsknecht went around the left end and gained fourteen yards before Benson harper and Tanner Andrzejewski tackled him. Fowler had a first down on the Harbor Beach 25 yard line.

Nate Spicer took the ball up the middle for a seven yard first down gain before Dustin Emerick took him down. Jacob Halfmann’s second down run up the middle was good for three yards and another first down before Rogan Messing stopped him.

Asher Koenigsknecht took the ball to the right and gained ten yards before Benson Harper tackled him. Fowler had a first down on the Harbor Beach 5 yard line.

Asher Koenigsknecht went around the right end and gained two yards before he ran into Andrew Kabban and Rogan Messing. On the next play, Jacob Halfmann bulled his way into the end zone for a three yard touchdown. The extra point kick was not good. With 5:07 left in the second quarter, Fowler held a 13-0 lead.

Aaron Simon kicked the ball off to the Pirate 27 yard line where Keagen Potestivo fielded it and gained fourteen yards before Drew Weber took him down. Harbor Beach had a first down on its own 41 yard line.

Conner Katich covered for Fowler on Harbor Beach’s incomplete first down pass. Rogan Messing took the ball up the middle for a four yard second down gain before Trevor Spicer halted his progress. On third down, Caden Bucholtz completed a pass over the middle to Andrew Kabban for an eleven yard gain and a first down. Jacob Halfmann got the tackle for Fowler.

Fowler’s defensive line tipped the Harbor Beach first down pass and it fell incomplete. Joe Epkey and Anthony Epkey teamed up to sack the Pirate quarterback for an eight yard second down loss. Caden Bucholtz completed a third down pass to Dustin Emerick on the left side for a six yard gain before Nate Spicer stopped him. Caden Bucholtz was chased out of the pocket on fourth down, but gained seven yards before Joe Epkey tackled him.

This was not enough for the first down and Fowler took over the ball on downs on its own 39 yard line.

A first down holding penalty set Fowler back ten yards. On the first down repeat, Asher Koenigsknecht gained three yards on a run to the left before he ran out of bounds. Asher Koenigsknecht went around the right end for a seven yard second down gain; Benson Harper made the tackle for Harbor Beach. Jacob Halfmann tossed a pass to Nate Spicer for a ten yard gain; Andrew Kabban forced him out of bounds.

It was close to a first down, so the officials did a measurement and Fowler was a few inches short of a first down. Jacob Halfmann pounded his way up the middle to gain the necessary yard before he was stopped by Matt Geiger. Fowler had a first down on the fifty yard line.

Jacob Halfmann passed the ball up the right sideline for a twenty-six yard gain. Benson Harper made the tackle for Harbor Beach.

Jacob Halfmann then passed the ball to Asher Koenigsknecht on the right side for a fourteen yard gain to give Fowler a first down on the Harbor Beach 10 yard line with eighteen seconds remaining in the opening half.

Jacob Halfmann passed to Asher Koenigsknecht for a five yard gain. A second down illegal shift moved the Eagles back five yards. Andrew Kabban covered on Fowler’s incomplete third down pass. Dustin Emerick and Luke Bischer covered on the Eagle incomplete fourth down pass.

That was the final play of the second quarter. Fowler entered halftime with a 13-0 lead.

At halftime, the two bands assembled to play four songs. They worked together well as they played stadium classics “Get Ready for This” and “The Hey Song” followed by “Funky Town” and “Shout it Out” from the movie “Drumline.” It was a nice show. Kudos for the bands for playing so well in a situation where they probably did not have much time to rehearse. (As your Bleacher Denizen is a professional musician himself, he always loves to salute a musical job well done!)

Aaron Simon kicked off for Fowler to open the second half. Keagen Potestivo fielded the ball around the Pirate 30 yard line and gained about six yards before Dylan Pline stopped him. Harbor Beach had a first down on its own 36 yard line.

A false start penalty pushed the Pirates back ten yards on the next play, Jacob Halfmann intercepted a Pirate pass and returned the ball about six yards to the Harbor Beach 44 yard line where Fowler started its first series of the second half.

Asher Koenigsknecht gained six yards on a first down run up right tackle before Benson Harper tackled him. Jacob Halfmann’s second down run up the middle was good for four yards and a first down before the Pirate line engulfed him.

Andrew Kabban covered on Fowler’s incomplete first down pass. Asher Koenigsknecht went around the right end for a three yard second down gain before Benson Harper knocked him out of bounds. Jacob Halfmann ran a quarterback keeper over the right tackle for an eight yard gain and a first down. Benson Harper got the tackle for Harbor Beach.

Asher Koenigsknecht went up the middle for and gained seven yards on first down before Dustin Emerick took him down. Jacob Halfmann went over the left tackle and gained seven yards before Luke Bischer stopped him. This gave Fowler a first down on the Harbor Beach 9 yard line.

Asher Koenigsknecht went around the right end for a five yard first down gain; Jonah Dimock made the Pirate stop. Jacob Halfmann gained three yards up the middle on second down before Matt Geiger halted his progress. On the next play, Jacob Halfmann pounded his way for the final yard Fowler needed to get into the end zone. After Harbor Beach blocked the extra point, Fowler had a 19-0 lead with 6:04 remaining in the third quarter.

Aaron Simon kicked the ball off to the Pirate 30 yard line where Luke Bischer fielded it and gained about five yards before Isaac Thelen tackled him. Harbor Beach had a first down on its own 35 yard line.

Caden Bucholtz ran a quarterback keeper up the left tackle for a three yard first down gain. Quinten Esch made the tackle for Fowler. Caden Bucholtz completed a second down screen pass to Benson Harper for a three yard second down gain. Trevor Spicer made the Fowler tackle. On third down, Caden Bucholtz launched a pass to Benson Harper for a thirty-two yard gain; Asher Koenigsknecht got the stop for Fowler to prevent a touchdown. Harbor Beach had a first down on the Fowler 2 yard line.

Dustin Emerick took the ball up the left tackle for a two yard touchdown run. Jack Smaglinski snapped the ball, Benson Harper held the ball and Skiler Kruse kicked the successful point to trim Fowler’s lead to 19-7 with 3:21 to go in quarter number three.

Skiler Kruse kicked the ball off to the Fowler 3 yard line where Asher Koenigsknecht fielded it and returned the ball eleven yards before John Learman tackled him. Fowler had a first down on its own 14 yard line.

Luke Bischer stopped Fowler’s first down run to the left for no gain. Skiler Kruse knocked Fowler’s second down pass out of the air. On third down, Jacob Halfmann passed to Asher Koenigsknecht, who made a long run after the catch before Benson Harper tackled him for a sixty-six yard gain. Fowler had a first down on the Harbor Beach 30 yard line.

Nate Spicer went up the left tackle for a four yard gain before Jonah Dimock stopped him. Jacob Halfmann went to the right for a four yard second down gain; Jack Smaglinski made the tackle for the Pirates. On the final play of the third quarter, Jacob Halfmann gained two yards and was just short of a first down when Rogan Messing tackled him.

The third quarter ended with Fowler holding a 19-7 lead. The Eagles had a fourth down with inches to go on the Pirate 20 yard line.

Jacob Halfmann went to the right on the first play of the final quarter and gained two yards to give the Eagles a first down. Dustin Emerick made the tackle for Harbor Beach.

Asher Koenigsknecht went to the left on first down; he gained two yards before Caden Bucholtz stopped him. On second down, Jacob Halfmann passed to Ben Kohagen, who made a great sliding catch for a five yard gain; Andrew Kabban made the stop for the Pirates. Dustin Emerick stopped Fowler’s third down run to the left for a one yard gain. Jacob Halfmann faked a handoff on fourth down and gained seven yards up the middle before Rogan Messing took him down.

Fowler had a first down on the Harbor Beach 3 yard line. Andrew Kabban knocked the Eagle first down runner out of bounds for no gain. Rogan Messing tackled the second down runner for no gain. Jacob Halfmann passed to Trevor Spicer for a two yard third down gain; Andrew Kabban tackled him on the one yard line.

A false start penalty moved Fowler back five yards. Jacob Halfmann had to scramble to avoid being tackled on fourth down; it was worth it as he completed a six yard touchdown pass to Nate Spicer. Nate Spicer made the long snap, Jacob Halfmann held the ball and Aaron Simon made the successful extra point kick to give Fowler a 26-7 lead with 5:26 left on the clock.

Aaron Simon kicked the ball off to the Harbor Beach 29 yard line; Dylan Pline recovered a Pirate fumble on the 33 yard line and Fowler took possession there.

A first down penalty moved the Eagles back to the Pirate 44 yard line where the Eagles now needed twenty-one yards for a first down. Ben Kohagen took the ball to the left and gained four yards on second down before Keagan Nowiski pulled him down. Asher Koenigsknecht went to the right on third down and broke several tackles on his way to a twelve yard gain before Caden Bucholtz finally stopped him. Andrew Kabban covered the Eagle receiver well and broke up the fourth down pass.

Harbor Beach took over the ball on downs on its own 28 yard line.

Caden Bucholtz completed a first down pass to Andrew Kabban, who was tackled by Nate Spicer and Trevor Spicer; a penalty on Fowler gave Harbor Beach a first down on the Fowler 14 yard line.

Alex Halfmann and Jerome Thelen teamed up to sack the Harbor Beach quarterback for a four yard first down loss. Caden Bucholtz took the ball up the middle for a five yard gain before Trevor Spicer tackled him. Asher Koenigsknecht covered on the Pirate incomplete third down pass. Ben Kohagen knocked the Pirate fourth down pass out of the sky.

Fowler took over the ball on downs on the Harbor Beach 15 yard line.

With just 30.9 seconds left, Fowler took a knee on the final play of the game.

Fowler won this game by the final score of 26-7.

The Eagles will play Beal City in next week’s state semifinal.