The Albert Lea Grizzlies forced 10 turnovers and won their second straight game by more than 35 points against the Tri-State Buffalos at the Hills-Beaver Creek High School football field.

The Grizzlies improved to 4-2 overall with a 43-7 win Saturday over the Buffalos.

Albert Lea’s first two drives ended in turnovers, and it was the Grizzlies’ defense that opened up the scoring. The Buffalos faced third-and-12, and the Albert Lea’s Cole Read recovered a fumble and returned it 54 yards for a score. Juan Vega added the extra point to give the Grizzlies a 7-0 lead.

Both teams traded three-and-outs on their next offensive possessions. Late in the first quarter, the Grizzlies’ defense stepped up again and forced a fumble recovered by Travis Campbell. Albert Lea quarterback Tony Tolbers connected with Lamar Sayles six plays later on a 19-yard touchdown pass. The extra point failed, and the Grizzlies led 13-0.

On Tri-State’s ensuing possession, Albert Lea’s Jered Talamantes intercepted a pass and returned it to the Buffalos’ 36-yard line. However, the Grizzlies fumbled the ball back three plays later, and Tri-State recovered at Albert Lea’s 38-yard line.

After a Grizzlies drive stalled, Tri-State returned the punt into Albert Lea territory at the 48-yard line. Three plays later, Cole Read gave the Grizzlies the ball back with an interception. However, Albert Lea turned the ball over two plays later when Tolbers was picked off by Mitchel Van Weston.

Albert Lea’s defense lit up the scoreboard again in the second quarter, when Read and Jason “Toad” Froning recorded a safety giving the Grizzlies a 15-0 lead.

“We have had some starters missing the past few weeks, and you would never know it,” said Grizzlies defensive coordinator Jeff Jimenez. “The defense is starting to gel at the right time.” The defense recorded six fumble recoveries and four interceptions.

Special teams is beginning to step up as well, Jimenez said. Vega made three extra points, and Colton Zuniga recorded 111 yards in kick returns as well as a fumble strip that was returned for 52 yards.

Before the end of the first half, Sayles scored his third touchdown when Tolbers found him on a fourth-and-eight play. At halftime, Albert Lea led 29-0.

The Grizzlies’ offense recorded 317 total yards: 131 rushing and 186 passing.

“The next two games are going to be awesome,” Jimenez said. “We hope to see a lot of Albert Lea football fans.”

The Grizzlies have a bye week Saturday to prepare for their next two regular season games. Albert Lea will host the undefeated Southwest Huskerz at 5 p.m. June 14, and the Panic will visit Albert Lea at 5 p.m. June 21. All of the Grizzlies’ home games will be played at Grizzly Field at Frank Hall Park.