The Albert Lea eighth grade football team finished its season by splitting its last two games.

The eighth grade team played most of the season with two teams the black and blue, but low startup numbers and late season injuries forced the two teams to form one team to play the last two games.

In the first game, Albert Lea traveled to Ellendale to play New Richland in one of the best games

the area has seen this season.

The weather was perfect for football, low 60s and a light drizzle.

Dalton Westerland would score first for Albert Lea as great line blocking by Bryce DeBoer, Dylan Cottrell, Derek Sipple, Dustin Samudio, Griffin Wangen and Colin Bishop was the key to the drive. New Richland would tie the score later in the half.

In the second half Albert Lea would score again on a nice screen pass to Wangen, with Cottrell and Samudio leading the way.

The defense held New Richland the rest of the game with strong play from Christian Anderson, DeBoer, Samudio, Sipple, Logan Enderson, Eric Carlson, Brody Sundblad, Wyeth Anderson, Cody Haaland, Austin Davenport, Daniel Rodriquez and Taylor Harris.

Westurland would intercept a pass late in the fourth quarter to finish off the Panthers and take away their undefeated season.

In Albert Lea&8217;s final game, it traveled to Mankato to play Mankato West. West always comes with a well coached team, it brings a different offense formation that works very well for it and Albert Lea would lose the game 20-8.

Haaland would score Albert Lea&8217;s

only touchdown,

great blocking by Travis Moffit, Jordan Johnson, Brady Hughes and Jacob White allowed the offense to march up and down the field, but dropped passes and penalties kept Albert Lea

from scoring.

On the defense side the eighth grade team played Mankato tough,

with great play by Alex VanVooren, Nick Santee, Jace Talemantes and Andrew Esse.

Also on the team but out with injuries were Clay Braaten, Taylor Blake, and Trey Hable.