Grizzlies drop home opener
Published 3:37 pm Sunday, April 29, 2018
- Grizzlies running back Colton Opsahl carries the ball during the second quarter of Saturday's game against Midwest Rampage. The Grizzlies would lose the game, 44-0. - Tyler Julson/Albert Lea Tribune
It was a beautiful day for a football game Saturday as the Albert Lea Grizzlies played host to the Midwest Rampage.
Unfortunately for the Grizzlies, they were unable to cap the day off with a win as they fell to the Rampage, 44-0.
The Grizzlies played a great game defensively in the first quarter, forcing punts from the Rampage offense on multiple occasions.
Chuck Thorson carries the ball for a sizable gain in the first quarter of the game. – Tyler Julson/Albert Lea Tribune
The only score allowed in the quarter came on a 24-yard pass play with 4:20 left to go in the first.
Again in the second quarter, the defense would hold strong for the first few drives. However, with around five minutes to play in the half, the Rampage started to take control.
Three touchdowns in the last five minutes of the half opened up a 27-0 lead for the Rampage before the teams took their halftime break.
Unfortunately, it was more of the same in the second half for Albert Lea.
The Rampage scored three touchdowns in the third quarter to take a commanding 44-0 lead into the fourth.
Solid defense would hold the Rampage to just a field goal in the final quarter, but the Grizzlies offense was unable to gain any momentum.
Colton Opsahl and Reymundo Cruz were each able to recover fumbles, but the Grizzlies were unable to capitalize on either opportunities.
The Grizzlies fall to 0-1 on the season and will play again Saturday when they take on the Southeast Minnesota Warhawks at Frank Hall Park.
