PERU — The Apple Bowl was packed and the atmosphere was electric. It was senior night for the Nighthawks of Peru and they made the most of it.
Peru would score on its first five possessions as it would defeat the Patriots of AuSable Valley, 41-8, Friday.
“It’s an awesome feeling, especially coming out for the third time at the Apple Bowl,” senior linebacker Elliot Supley said. “This one, it was electric.
“It’s a really crazy feeling to be a senior on senior night. It’s something only seniors feel and something I’ll cherish forever.”
Not only was it Senior Night, but it was homecoming as Peru inducted six former athletic and academic standouts during halftime.
“It was a really good night,” Nighthawk head coach Ryon O’Connell said. “Crowd was energetic. The kids are energetic.
“It is really good to see the community support tonight, and I’m happy for the kids.”
Prior to kickoff, seniors were recognized and celebrated. Supley took a moment to reflect on a career that’s winding down at the Apple Bowl.
“It feels great every day during the season,” he said. “It starts to hit me more that my days are coming, like counting down and only a few games (left).
“It just wants to make our whole team play harder for each other. It’s something that everyone loves every single second they put on the jersey.”
Scoring started quickly for Peru as Jake Frechette and Chase Carpenter connected on an opening drive that saw the ball move mostly through the air.
The Nighthawks continued moving the ball on the second drive which culminated with Wyatt Bridges scampering down the visiting sideline for a 36-yard touchdown.
Bridges would score from one yard out on the next drive but that was set up by a 30 yard blast by him. Bridges would just finish what he started.
As Frechette and Blake Porter scored on back-to-back running plays to push the lead to 34-0 in the second quarter, the Nighthawks began substituting players. Giving chances to players who hadn’t seen the field much, a chance to shine.
“It’s a great feeling, because they make us better every day,” Supley said. “They do the stuff that no one sees and they don’t get credited for but they really should.
“Every single practice they come with the intent to make us better and get us ready for the game, and it’s great to see everyone wants to cheer for him when they make big plays. It’s so awesome to see.”
Peru almost got to watch the reserves score on the first play. Brady O’Connell connected with Max Duquette down the sideline for a score, but it was called back, halfway down the field, due to a penalty. Duquette finished with one catch for 32 yards.
Chris Williams (6-49) and Owen Smith (3-25, TD) took over the running duties in the second half. They were electric in the all black uniforms as they kept drives alive in the game.
“I’m happy for all the kids that got in tonight and got to play, especially on homecoming weekend,” O’Connell said. “You know, the atmosphere was tremendous.”
Looking ahead, the Nighthawks turn their attention to Moriah for the regular season finale. The game will be played at Linney Field, Friday.
“We need to come out with energy, and we need to bring the energy and hit hard,” Supley said. “That’s what we’ve been doing. Our practices have been better.
“We are starting to get comfortable in the offensive with each other, and we’re starting to build a really good bond with our team that’s getting really strong. I think over the season, it will still just get even stronger throughout the playoffs.”
With the win, Peru improves to 4-2 overall and 4-1 in the Champlain Valley Athletic Conference. AuSable Valley slides to 0-6 overall.
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Peru 41, AuSable Valley 8
PCS 21 13 7 0 – 41
AVCS 0 0 0 8 – 8
SCORING SUMMARY
1st Quarter
P- Carpenter pass from Frechette (Garrow kick) 10:45.
P- Bridges 36 run (Garrow kick) 6:44
P- Bridges 1 run (Garrow kick) 4:25
Second Quarter
P- Frechette 15 TD (Conversion failed) 7:25
P- Porter 10 run (Garrow kick) 5:06
Third Quarter
P- Smith 2 run (Garrow kick) 2:05
Fourth Quarter
A- Dashnaw 74 pass from Blaise (Dashnaw from Blaise) 11:15
INDIVIDUAL STATS
RUSHING
PCS- Bridges 6-83, 2 TD. Blaise-Smith 2-13. Wilkins 1-4, Frechette 1-15. TD. Porter 1-10, TD. Williams 6-49 Smith 3-25, TD. Duquette 1-7. Davis 1-1. Lafountain 1-(-5). TOTALS: TOTALS: 23-202, 5 TD
AVCS- Fletcher 1-5, Egglefield 2-4. Lewallen 14-52. Blaise 5-14. TOTALS: 22-75
PASSING
PCS- Frechette 11-14-147, 1TD O’Connell 2-4-42; TOTALS: 13-18-189-TD
AVCS- Blaise 5-9-94. TD.
RECEIVING
PCS- Starke 2-54, Taylor 3-51, Hendricks 2-17, Carpenter 3-16, TD. Schlitt 1-9, Duquette 1-32, Capen 1-10. TOTALS: 13-189. TD
AVCS- Lawrence 1-1. Fletcher 1-3. Brown 2-16. Dashnaw 1-74. TD. TOTALS: 5-94. TD