Peru holds on, advances in Class B | Sports

POTSDAM — Survive and advance. That’s what it comes down to when the playoffs are on the line.

Peru did just that in its 20-18 victory in the NYSPHSAA Class B regional semifinal over Ogdensburg, Friday.

I thought throughout the game we made some mistakes,” Nighthawks head coach Ryon O’Connell said. “But the kids rebounded and played with a lot of heart.

“They didn’t give in and weren’t going to settle for anything less. On that two point conversion, they flew around and made the play when we needed it.

OFA (7-3) never led in the second half but had two chances for ties denied on failed pass plays for two-point conversions in the third and fourth quarters.

The Blue Devils used eight and nine yard carries by Cam Griffith to key a dramatic drive after the Nighthawks expanded to a 20-12 lead with 4:49 to play when quarterback Ethan Breen found flanker Landen Duprey for a 38 yard touchdown pass.

When an excessive celebration penalty pushed Peru out of comfortable range for an extra point kick, Ogdensbrug broke up a passing attempt for the conversion and started a drive for a possible tie when Lucca LaBella broke three tackles on the kick return carrying the ball to midfield.

Andrew Loffler crashed into the endzone from two yards out for his third touchdown of the day with 46.7 seconds but the bid for a tie was thwarted when Peru’s Wyatt Bridges’ delivery sack of OFA quarterback Madden West broke up a roll out passing attempt for the conversion.

“We told Wyatt to stay home on the conversion in case their quarterback kept the ball,” O’Connell said. “He did and we were able to break up the play.

“I told the guys on the conversion that heart would be the key to our defense. It was a tremendous football game by both teams.”

Big plays carried the Nighthawks to the victory after OFA took a 6-0 lead when Loffler (21-102) broke three tackles on a 12-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.

Peru gained a 7-6 halftime lead when Zack Engstrom (14-162) bolted 21 yards to the endzone and Maggie Garrow added the PAT.

The lead became 14-6 on the first possession of the second half when Engstrom broke loose for a 21-yard run and Garrow connected for another PAT.

OFA answered with a one-yard scoring buck by Andrew Loffler after Cam Griffith pitched a perfect fourth option pass to Nicoli Ramsell who made an acrobatic catch along the sidelines.

A two-point conversion pass failed and the difference stood at 14-12 and set up the exchange of two fourth quarter touchdowns.

“It was just a great effort,” OFA coach Matt Tessmer said. “Our guys just would not be denied and we had our chances to win.

“What our guys did after our first league game was amazing. Our offense and defense lines came so far. And tonight our defense really played well.”

After winning the North Country Super Bowl, Peru (9-1) advances to play Section II’s

Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk.

“This is the third year we have played them,” O’Connell said. “So, we’re getting used to them and it’s likely going to be the same for them. It’s going to come down to a good hard-nosed game of football.”

The Indians currently stand with a record of 11-0, with a point differential of +233.

They’re led offensively by Dominick Paljusaj, a running back who averages 113 yards per game, with a team high 21 touchdowns. He forms a steady one-two punch with Ethan Green, who averages 94 yards a game.

“We’ve got to be able to limit the run game,” O’Connell said. “They have two backs who pose a big threat.”

While Peru has faced teams similar in that playstyle, O’Connell admitted it’s going to be a different ballgame against the Indians.

“Section II has a different kind of player,” he said. “They’re a little bit bigger and a little bit faster. We need to step up and play and get our job done.”

Like many opponents the Nighthawks have faced, RCS passes when they need to. Quarterbacks Mason Carkner and Kaden Potter have combined to throw for 952 yards. Potter has 42 completions to Carkner’s 13.

Peru and Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk’s game is slated to kick off at 4 p.m. Saturday at Mechanicville High School.

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The Press-Republican’s Erik Rhyne contributed with this story

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Peru 20, Ogedensburg 18

PCS;0;7;7;6;20

OFA;0;6;6;6;18

Scoring Summary

Second Quarter:

O – Loffler on 12 run (kick failed)

P – Engstrom 60 run (Garrow kick).

Third Quarter

P – Engstrom on 20 run (Garrow kick)

O Loffler (O) on 2 run (pass failed).

Fourth Quarter

P – Duprey on 38 pass from Breen (pass failed)

O- Loffler on 2 run (pass failed)

Individual Statistics

Rushing:

P – Engstrom 14-162 2 TDs, Bridges 5-57, Breen 1-6.

O – Loffler 21-102 3 TDs, Ramie 6-15, West 2-4, Griffith 2-17.

Passing:

P – Breen 7-14- 102-1 1 TD.

O – West 10-19-1-64, Griffiyh 1-1-28.

Receiving:

P – Daniels 2-12, Duprey 2-84 1 TD, Bridges 1-7, Engstrom 2-4,

O – Griffith 1-14, Loffler 1-5, Ramsdell 3-40, LaBella 2-18

Interceptions: P – Engstrom, O – Ramie.

Fumble Recoveries: O – LaBella, Denner.