Bad Axe scored first, but Harbor Beach responded with nine total touchdowns, earning the Pirates a 57-12 victory over the Hatchets on Friday, September 08, 2023. Harbor Beach would accumulate 335 rushing yards on 38 carries, averaging nearly 9 yards per carry for 7 touchdowns, led by Benson Harper with 112 yards and a score on just 7 carries. Through the air, Caden Bucholtz, Harbor Beach's sophomore quarterback was 3-6 for 22 yards and a touchdown to Dustin Emerick. Benson Harper would also return a kickoff 83 yards for a special teams touchdown.

The Hatchets were led by Logan Miles with 112 yards rushing on 11 carries and 1 touchdown. Alex Andrich was 4-14-1 in the passing attack with 1 touchdown, also to Logan Miles.

With the win, Harbor Beach improves to 3-0 on the season and 1-0 in the Greater Thumb East. Bad Axe falls to 1-2 overall and 0-2 in divisional play (GTE). The Pirates now travel to Ubly to take on the undefeated Bearcats in the Backyard Brawl, a team they have not defeated since 2020 (0-3). Bad Axe continues their road trip to Memphis to take on the 1-2 Yellowjackets.