Moriah (4) makes a two-handed leaping catch over Peru's Isaac Rogers (15) for the Vikings' score. CLINTONVILLE, N.Y. — Under the lights on a field built for moments like this, No. 18 Peru turned Ausable Valley High School's historic turf debut into a memorable Friday night showcase. After falling behind early, the unbeaten Nighthawks unleashed a relentless offense and pulled away from Moriah for a 42-28 win, remaining perfect while adding another chapter to their undefeated campaign. The first varsity football game played on Ausable Valley's new turf field opened with Moriah seizing the momentum. The Vikings struck first when No. 25 crossed the goal line on an 8-yard touchdown run just 2:35 into the contest, giving Moriah a 6-0 lead and energizing the crowd. Peru quickly settled in behind Brody Blaise Smith's running. The Nighthawks answered at 9:21 of the opening quarter when Smith powered in from three yards out, and the extra point gave Peru a 7-6 lead. The Nighthawks took control in the second quarter. Smith found the end zone again on a 3-yard touchdown run with 3:46 left, extending the lead to 14-6. Peru's offense continued to click later in the quarter when Marco Amato hauled in a 36-yard touchdown reception at the 6:57 mark, pushing the advantage to 21-6. Moriah refused to back down. The Vikings answered with a 23-yard touchdown reception by No. 4 at 10:30 into the quarter, cutting the deficit to 21-14 and briefly shifting the momentum back in their favor. Peru responded immediately with another big play through the air. Amato caught his second touchdown of the night on a 19-yard scoring reception at 11:27, sending the Nighthawks into halftime with a comfortable 28-14 lead. The Nighthawks carried that momentum into the second half. Deon Lawyer scored on a 5-yard touchdown run at the 3:39 mark of the third quarter to make it 35-14. Moriah countered with a 3-yard touchdown reception by No. 12 at the 11:10 mark, trimming the lead to 35-20 heading into the final quarter. Any hopes of a Vikings comeback died early in the fourth. Smith delivered the game's defining moment when he broke free for a spectacular 67-yard touchdown run 5:49 into the quarter. The explosive play stretched Peru's lead to 42-20 and capped a three-touchdown performance from the standout back. Moriah added one final score on a 16-yard touchdown reception by No. 12 with 7:34 left in the fourth quarter, but the Vikings could not get closer as Peru secured the 42-28 win. Smith finished with three rushing touchdowns, Amato caught two touchdown passes, and Lawyer added another score on the ground as the Nighthawks improved to 8-0 and completed a perfect regular season impressively. As players and fans lingered under the lights after the final whistle, the first game on Ausable Valley's new turf ended. For Moriah, the night marked the end of the regular season and the beginning of postseason preparations. For Peru, it was the latest statement from one of Section VII's premier programs. The Nighthawks walked off the new surface with their perfect record intact, capping an unbeaten regular season and carrying plenty of momentum into the games that matter most.

Peru's Marco Amato (4) with the catch between a pair of Vikings defenders for the score.

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — The Peru Nighthawks closed out a strong road performance Wednesday night, defeating the Plattsburgh Hornets in four sets, 25-22, 20-25, 26-24, 25-21, in NYSPHSAA Section VII girls volleyball action during the Hornets' home finale. Peru entered the contest with a 9-5 record, while Plattsburgh came in at 9-4, and both teams delivered a tightly contested match featuring momentum swings throughout the evening. The Nighthawks captured the opening set 25-22 after a back-and-forth battle. Plattsburgh made things interesting late with a 5-1 surge, but Peru held firm to take the early advantage. The Hornets answered in the second set, using a decisive 10-2 run to take control and earn a 25-20 victory, evening the match at one set apiece and energizing the home crowd. Set three proved to be the turning point. Neither squad could create much separation before the teams battled into extra points. Peru ultimately won 26-24 to reclaim the lead and move within one set of the match. The fourth set was another close contest, with both sides trading points throughout. Peru made the key plays late and secured a 25-21 win to complete the four-set victory. With the win, the Nighthawks improved to 10-5, while the Hornets dropped to 9-5. Peru returns to action Monday against the Saranac Spartans, while Plattsburgh will travel to face the AuSable Valley Patriots as both teams continue their push toward the Section VII postseason. Gallery

Plattsburgh's Olivia Lathrop (12) with the two-handed push shot to the corner for the point. Gallery

Peru's Matthew Trombley (gk) makes a diving stop on a direct kick from the Hornets. PLATTSBURGH — When the game was on the line, Alex Watts delivered once again. Watts scored his second goal in the 88th minute of overtime to lift the No. 11 state-ranked Peru Nighthawks to a 2-1 win over the Plattsburgh Hornets in NYSPHSAA Section VII boys soccer action. Peru entered the contest with an 11-2-2 record and controlled early momentum, breaking through in the 18th minute when Watts put the ball in the back of the net to give the Nighthawks a 1-0 lead. The Hornets, playing their regular-season finale, refused to go away quietly. After weathering Peru's pressure throughout much of the evening, Plattsburgh found its breakthrough in the 58th minute. Colin Walker delivered the equalizer, sending new energy through the Hornets and knotting the score at 1-1. From there, both teams traded chances in a physical, playoff-style battle. Peru goalkeeper Matthew Trombley made key saves throughout the contest, finishing with five to keep the Nighthawks within striking distance. With regulation unable to separate the two teams, the match moved into overtime. Peru's leading scorer didn't take long to make the difference. Watts struck again in the 88th minute, burying the game-winner and securing the Nighthawks' 12th victory of the season. The win pushes Peru to 12-2-2 as the Nighthawks prepare for their regular-season finale on October 22 against Brushton-Moira. For Plattsburgh, the loss closes the regular season at 5-9-1. Still, the Hornets showed plenty of fight against one of the state's top-ranked programs, forcing overtime before Watts ultimately provided the deciding moment.Gallery

Plattsburgh's Colin Walker (15) with the header to keep the attack alive and later scored the tying goal. Gallery

Beekmantown's Garrett Pelky (81) with the shoulder tackle on Peru's Caleb Strake (0) and keeps him out of the end zone. PERU, N.Y. — The #18 Peru Nighthawks stayed unbeaten Friday night, overcame two early deficits, and dominated the second half to defeat the Beekmantown Eagles 41–20 in a Section VII rivalry matchup. Peru opened the scoring in the first quarter when Caleb Strake powered in from two yards out at 5:28. Beekmantown answered immediately as Garrett Pelkey returned the ensuing kickoff 72 yards to tie the game. The Eagles grabbed their first lead minutes later when quarterback Keller Crucetti finished a drive with a 2‑yard keeper, giving Beekmantown a 13–7 advantage after a fast start. The back‑and‑forth continued into the second quarter. Peru regained the lead on an 8‑yard run by Deon Lawyer, but Crucetti responded with a 15‑yard touchdown to put Beekmantown up 20–14. Peru swung the momentum for good on the next kickoff, as Finley Coon broke free for a return touchdown to tie the game. The Nighthawks struck again before halftime when Marco Amato hauled in a 62‑yard pass‑and‑run score, sending Peru into the break with a 27–20 lead. The turning point came midway through the third quarter. Peru’s Isaiah Hendrix jumped a route and raced 55 yards for a pick‑six, stretching the lead to 34–20 and putting the Eagles on their heels. From there, Peru’s defense tightened and held Beekmantown scoreless for the rest of the game. Lawyer added his second touchdown of the night in the closing seconds, punching in a 3‑yard run with seven seconds remaining to secure the 41–20 final and Peru’s fifth straight win. Peru hosts Saranac on October 17, while Beekmantown travels to Moriah on October 16.

Peru's Isaiah Hendrix (10) fighting for the extra yards with the defenders in tow.

Plattsburgh's Emma Koon (1) with the save on the shot from Peru's Reese Duprey (14) inside the 12-yard box. The latest installment of the crosstown rivalry between the Plattsburgh Hornets and Peru Nighthawks lived up to the hype on Friday night as the two Champlain Valley Athletic Conference foes battled through more than 95 minutes before a winner was finally decided. Both teams came out aggressively in the first half, creating several quality scoring opportunities while showcasing strong defense. Despite the back-and-forth action, neither side capitalized, and the contest remained scoreless after the first 40 minutes. The intensity continued throughout the second half as both teams searched for the breakthrough goal. Peru and Plattsburgh each generated chances in the attacking third, but strong goalkeeping and determined defense kept the score unchanged. After 80 minutes of regulation, the rivals were still deadlocked at 0-0, sending the match into overtime. The decisive moment finally arrived in the 96th minute. Plattsburgh's Molly Meyer found space in the offensive end and beat the Peru goalkeeper for the game's first and only goal, lifting the Hornets to a dramatic 1-0 overtime victory. The win marked Plattsburgh's first triumph of the season, improving the Hornets' record to 1-6-1. They will look to build on the momentum when they host the Beekmantown Eagles on September 28. Peru suffered its third loss of the season and dropped to 5-3 overall. The Nighthawks will aim to rebound in their next contest against Northeastern Clinton on September 28. In a rivalry known for competitive battles, the Hornets claimed this chapter, with Meyer's overtime heroics securing a hard-fought victory on their home field. Gallery

Peru's Reese Duprey (14) turns the corner and leaves Plattsburgh's Emma Slatter (10) as she heads for the night for the shot. Gallery