Albert Lea is on 4-game winning streak

The Albert Lea Grizzlies thrashed the Dodge County Outlaws 60-0 on Sunday.

The Grizzlies executed in all three phases of the game.

“Everything clicked for us,” Albert Lea head coach Steven Piper said. “If we started like this, we wouldn’t have two losses.”

Special teams played an important part in the Grizzlies’ success on defense, because Albert Lea pinned the Outlaws near their own goal line throughout the game.

“We did an excellent job of making them drive the length of the field almost every time they got the ball,” Albert Lea defensive coordinator Jeff Jimenez said.

The Grizzlies scored the first points of the game with 1 minute, 27 seconds left in the first quarter on a pass from Tony Tolbers to Trent Leesch. The two-point conversion was good on a run by Tolbers, who used his feet effectively when the defense has good coverage.

“It’s always there for us,” Tolbers said. “I’m getting better at recognizing it faster. We’re just always trying to get positive yards.”

The Grizzlies scored one rushing and three passing touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 34-0 lead and start the second half with a running clock.

Tolbers finished with seven completions for 85 yards and three touchdowns to lead Albert Lea’s offense.

Jason Kuipers led the Grizzlies’ ground attack with 90 yards on 12 carries and two touchdowns. He also threw for a touchdown late in the second quarter.

Trevor Haugh led Albert Lea’s defense with seven tackles, and Anthony Ingram camped out in the Outlaws’ backfield with two sacks and a safety.

The Grizzlies are 4-2, and they stretched their winning streak to four games. During that stretch, Albert Lea has out-scored its opponents 168-34.

“I think this win gives us some momentum headed into the playoffs,” Piper said. “If we do our job next week, we get home field advantage in the first round.”

Albert Lea will wrap up its regular season against the Steele County Warriors at the Blooming Prairie High School field at 5 p.m. Saturday.