The game might have been decided before the teams’ feet touched the turf, at least mentally. The Eagles (3-1 overall, 2-1 CVAC) were missing their normal starting quarterback and a key piece of their interior line on both sides of the ball, forcing reshuffled roles and testing depth from the opening kick.

Despite that adversity, Beekmantown showed grit and determination, keeping the game within reach until late second-quarter miscues swung momentum in Peru’s favor.

The Eagles had chances to seize early momentum. After the teams exchanged stalled drives, and fumbles on back-to-back plays, late in the first quarter, Garrett Pelkey hauled in a highlight-reel contested catch that put Beekmantown deep in Peru territory and well within striking distance. A score there could have been the confidence builder the Eagles needed — maybe even the spark to push the loss of their missing starters out of their minds.

But two short runs went nowhere, and a holding penalty pushed the Eagles in the wrong direction. The drive stalled, the points never came, and the opportunity slipped away.

The Beekmantown defense also looked up to the task in the early going. The line stood tall, and Pelkey added an interception at the six-yard line to deny an early Nighthawk drive (Peru's - - -PLAYER NAME - drop of a likely touchdown pass didn't hurt either). But the flags kept coming. By the end of the contest, the Eagles were whistled for well over 100 yards in penalties that a times kept the potent Peru offense on the field and consistently provided the Nighthawks with extra life.

Anchored by quarterback Jake Frechette, Peru began to show its balance and depth once given those opportunities. Frechette spread the ball around, connecting with receiver Chase Carpenter in the passing game, while Brody Smith provided a burst on the ground. With fresh downs and extra yardage, the Nighthawks finally broke through — first with a touchdown pass midway through the second quarter, then again before halftime to make it 14–0.

Quarterback Troy Finley was pressed into action and put in a solid effort directing the Eagles offense early, and senior running back Shamus Bibeau also took snaps in an effort to spark production. The Eagles opened the second half with a couple of first downs, showing flashes of promise as Bibeau powered through tackles and moved the chains. But just as quickly, Peru slammed the door once the Eagles were inside the 20-yard line.

Bibeau admitted afterward the challenge wasn’t just about position changes and adjustments to the lineup. “It’s tough mentally, too,” he said. “Troy did a great job and we had total confidence in him. You try not to think about (missing key starters) but you know you’re short-handed, it can throw you off. Still, we just kept telling each other to fight.”

The Nighthawks responded with back-to-back big plays — a 39-yard touchdown run by Blaise Smith-WHATEA NAME, followed three plays later when PERU KID by a pick-six — that stretched the lead to 28-0. If it hadn't happened already, that took the wind out of the Eagles sails and Peru tacked on two more late scores before the forth quarter expired..

For Beekmantown, the 42-0 final only seemed to pour salt on what was already a day full of frustration. The lineup disruptions were felt in every phase (#61 ALSO LEAGUES LEADING PUNTER) and penalties only compounded the challenge against arguably the CVAC’s most talented team.

But the Eagles, and their senior leader Bibeau,, still remain confident as they think about a guaranteed rematch in the Section VII Class B title contest in November. “I know we have the talent to be as good as this team — and to beat this team,” he said. “If we’re healthy, I like our chances.”

Beekmantown Head Coach Joe Fish declined to comment after the game.