Luke Bischer, a senior running back for the Harbor Beach Pirates, breaks away from defenders and runs down the sideline during the second quarter of the team’s semifinal match against the Black River-Harris Broncos. The Pirates and Broncos played in Alpena on Saturday as a neutral location.

ALPENA — The Harbor Beach Pirates made short work of the Black River-Harris Broncos in an impressive 40-0 win in their Division No. 8 state semi-final match at Park Family Field at the Alpena High School on Saturday,

The Broncos are from Delta and Menimonee counties, and the Harbor Beach is located in Huron County and used Alpena as a neutral location.

The Pirates arrived from the thumb in the lower peninsula and the Broncos arrived from the western, upper peninsula.

The Pirates came out strong in the first quarter, scoring two touchdowns and never looked back as they dominated the same on both sides of the ball.

The first touchdown was scored by Benson Harper, a senior running back. Skiler Kruse, a senior tight end, also found the endzone shortly afterward.

By the end of the first quarter, the Pirates were ahead 13-0 and methodically pulled away from there.

The Broncos fought back in the second quarter, nearly finding the endzone, but the team lost momentum when a Broncos player fumbled the ball in the end zone and it was recovered by their opponent.

The Pirates quickly scored a third touchdown by quarterback Caden Bucholtz,

At halftime, the Pirates led 26-0 and the Broncos’ fate was sealed.

Kruse scored another touchdown for the Pirates early in the third quarter, making a reception in the end zone.

Neither team scored in the third quarter, though the Broncos kept fighting to get on the score board before the game was finished.

The Pirates left Alpena victorious and are headed on to the Division No. 8 state finals at Ford Field where they will square off against Hudson on Friday at 9:30 a.m.

Both teams enter the championship game with undefeated records.