The Peru Nighthawks are named the 2026 NYSPHSAA Section VII Class A Boys' Soccer champions. CHAMPLAIN, N.Y. — The Peru Nighthawks are Section VII champions once again. With a goal in each half and a dominant defensive effort, the No. 1-seeded, New York State No. 13-ranked Nighthawks defeated crosstown rival No. 3 Plattsburgh 2-0 Thursday night in the NYSPHSAA Section VII Class A Boys Soccer Championship at Northeastern Clinton Central High School. The victory improved Peru's record to 13-2-2 and secured the Section VII Class A title, while Plattsburgh finished its season at 5-7-1. The championship matchup featured the intensity expected from one of the North Country's fiercest rivalries, with both teams battling for every possession early in the contest. Peru broke through in the 22nd minute when John Francia finished a scoring opportunity created by Collin Powers, giving the Nighthawks a 1-0 advantage. The Hornets kept pushing for an equalizer through the rest of the first half, but Peru's defense held firm and carried the one-goal lead into halftime. Looking to extend their advantage after the break, Peru struck again in the 58th minute. Deacon Whitmarsh found the back of the net off an assist from Chase Coran, extending the Nighthawks' lead to 2-0. From then on, Peru's defense took control, limiting quality chances and preserving the shutout against its rival. The disciplined effort secured the sectional championship and added another memorable chapter to the storied rivalry between the two programs. With the win, Peru advances to the NYSPHSAA Class A Boys Soccer Tournament Quarterfinals, where the Nighthawks will take on the Section II champion. The winner of that matchup will earn a trip to the New York State Final Four in Middletown, moving one step closer to a state championship. For Peru, Thursday night's victory was the latest achievement in an outstanding season. Now crowned Section VII Class A champions, the Nighthawks will look to carry their momentum into the state tournament as they continue their pursuit of New York State glory. Gallery