Engstrom leads Peru to Class B championship

CLINTONVILLE | Zack Engstrom delivered for Peru when it mattered most. In the absence of standout running back Sawyer Schlitt, Engstrom rushed for 141 yards and two touchdowns in the Nighthawks' 20-0 win over rival Beekmantown in the Section VII Class B football championship on Saturday, Nov. 4, at AuSable Valley. Schlitt sustained a season-ending injury in Peru's regular-season finale, and Engstrom had only 16 carries during the regular season. Engstrom ended up accounting for one-half of Peru's plays on offense. "When he went down, I knew that somebody was gonna have to step up," Engstrom said. "And me as a senior, a leader, a captain, I knew that I would have to do it. I've been waiting for this moment for a very long time. "When I got the chance to start running the ball, it just kicked in. I put my whole heart into that. I ran hard every play, and I did everything I could to fill those shoes and win like we have been." Peru, clinging to a 7-0 lead, scored on its first possession of the second half, when Engstrom hit the end zone on a 5-yard run. He made it a three-score game with 6:09 to play, racing across the goal line after a 40-yard carry that all but sealed the victory. The Nighthawks outgained the Eagles on the ground by a 196-20 margin, and Peru held Beekmantown's vaunted passing attack to seven completions and 105 yards. "Coach (Jeff) Way did a great job getting us ready, and the kids executed the game plan to perfection," Nighthawks coach Ryon O'Connell said. "All the credit goes to the kids." The game was scoreless until 59 seconds remained in the second quarter. Ethan Breen connected with sophomore Trenten Taylor for a 23-yard touchdown strike. The Eagles got in the red zone on their final drive of the first quarter, but it resulted in a missed field goal from 28 yards out. Beekmantown, down 14-0, got in the red zone for a second and final time late in the third quarter but penalties for an illegal chop block, false start and delay of game backed the Eagles up 25 yards. The championship bout featured an eye-popping 24 penalties. Peyton Viau, who returned from a major knee injury earlier in the season, was named Beekmantown's Most Valuable Player, totaling three receptions for 71 yards. Peru will travel to Potsdam High School, where it will face Ogdensburg Free Academy in the sub-regional round of the state playoffs. – Peru 20, Beekmantown 0 Beekmantown 0 0 0 0 – 0 Peru 0 7 7 6 – 20 Second quarter P- Taylor 23 pass from Breen (Garrow kick), 0:59. Third quarter P- Engstrom 5 run (Garrow kick), 6:22. Fourth quarter P- Engstrom 40 run (kick failed), 6:09. Individual statistics Rushing B- Sweenor 5-17; Parliament 8-6; Broughton 1-(-5); Bibeau 4-8; Viau 1-(-5); Team 1-(-1). Totals: 20-20. P- Breen 6-15; Engstrom 24-141, 2TD; Bridges 4-25; Supley 1-3; Daniels 4-12. Totals: 39-196, 2TD. Passing B- Parliament 7-28-0-105. P- Breen 5-11-1-44, TD. Receiving B- Sweenor 2-23; Hagadorn 2-11; Viau 3-71. P- Taylor 2-26, TD; Engstrom 1-0; Duprey 1-11; Daniels 1-7. Interceptions B- Herrera.

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Engstrom leads Peru to Class B championship

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