2025 Michigan high school football state finals break down
Free Press reporter Jared Ramsey shares his thoughts on the eight state finals games to end the 2025 Michigan high school football season in Detroit.
Harbor Beach and Hudson face off in the Michigan high school football Division 8 state finals game at Ford Field on Friday at 9:30 a.m., kickstarting an eight-game MHSAA football finals schedule this weekend.
The game between Harbor Beach (13-0) and Hudson (13-0) is one of three meetings between undefeated teams in the state title games at Ford Field.
Hudson is looking to win the school’s third state final and first since 2021, in the school’s sixth final appearance.
Harbor Beach is playing in its first title game since 2012, looking to win its second title across three appearances.
The Michigan high school football state finals will be streamed exclusively live, and on demand, on the NFHS Network. No games will be on TV.
Watch MHSAA football finals live, on demand
Follow along below for live updates from the MHSAA football Division 8 state final game at Ford Field.
[ Predicting every 2025 Michigan high school football state finals game ]
MHSAA football: Harbor Beach vs Hudson score, highlights
Game updates and highlights to come from the D-8 state final.
At 4th-and-1 from their own 20 yard line, Hudson quarterback Colt Perry converted on a 4-yard sneak as the Tigers featured three different ballcarriers on their first four plays.
Two plays later, however, a botched handoff from Perry was fumbled and recovered by Harbor Beach linebacker Skiler Kruse. Harbor Beach starts at the Hudson 27-yard line.
1Q, 6:12: Harbor Beach 7, Hudson 0.
On 3rd-and-6 from their own 33-yard line, Pirates quarterback Jackson Emerick found receiver Skiler Kruse for a 24-yard gain to get into Hudson territory. Fullback Rogan Messing followed that with an 11-yard gain to get to the Hudson 28-yard line.
Running back Benson Harper followed that with consecutive runs of two and seven yards, setting up a 3rd-and-1 on the 19, which quarterback Caden Bucholtz converted on a sneak.
Three plays later, Bucholtz converted a 3rd-and-9 pass to Kruse, finding him on the right side of the end zone for a touchdown. Harbor Beach completes the 12-play, 80-yard drive in nearly six-minutes to take the lead.
Hudson will kick off to start the game.
The undefeated Tigers scored at least 50 points in every Division 8 playoff game on their way to their sixth all-time finals appearance.
- District semifinals: Hudson 52, Centerville 13.
- District finals: Hudson 50, White Pigeon 20.
- Regional finals: Hudson 68, Springport 22.
- State semifinals: Hudson 67, Allen Park Cabrini 14.
The Tigers are looking for their third-ever state title, last winning in 2021 with a 14-7 win over Beal City.
The undefeated Pirates cruised through the Division 8 playoffs on their way to their third all-time finals appearance.
- District semifinals: Harbor Beach 49, Reese 8.
- District finals: Harbor Beach 35, Unionville-Sebewaing 12.
- Regional finals: Harbor Beach 26, Beal City 15.
- State semifinals: Harbor Beach 40, Bark River-Harris 0.
The Pirates are looking for their second-ever state title, first winning the Division 8 title in 2012 with a 35-10 win over Beal City.
MHSAA football how to watch: Division 8 finals streaming
- Start time: 9:30 a.m.
- Streaming: On NFHS Network.
- TV channel: None.
- Tickets: Tickets can be purchased at Ford Field or online on the MHSAA website. Tickets cost $20 and get you access to all four championship games on Friday.
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You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.
