Despite posting a second-half shutout against the only undefeated team in the Southern Plains Football League, the Albert Lea Grizzlies’ two-game winning streak snapped.

The Southwest Huskerz defeated the Grizzlies 24-12 Saturday at Grizzy Field in Frank Hall Park.

The Huskerz built a 24-6 halftime lead, but Albert Lea’s defense came to life in the second half.

“At halftime we made a couple of adjustments with our linebackers, and I challenged our corners to start being more aggressive, and I think you saw it,” said Grizzlies defensive coordinator Jeff Jimenez.

To start the second half, Albert Lea took over at the Huskerz’ 41-yard line, but a personal foul penalty stalled the drive. To pump life into the offense, the Grizzlies utilized Lamar Sayles in the shotgun in the wildcat.

“He reads (the defense) well,” said Albert Lea head coach Stephen Piper. “There are times when he should be tackled, but he knows when to wait and when to go. He’s a real talented player, so we’re glad to have him.”

Neither team scored in the third quarter.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, the Grizzlies defense continued to pressure Huskerz quarterback Jordan Larson, and Jered Talamantes snagged his seventh interception of the season.

“I’ll take our corners, and I’ll roll the dice with my guys every single week because I know they’ll come to play,” Jimenez said.

With 4 minutes and 40 seconds left in regulation, a punt return by Colton Zuniga set Albert Lea up at the Huskerz’ 35-yard line, and a pass from Tony Tolbers to Marquis Shaw in the end zone made it a two-possession game, 24-12.

Albert Lea got the ball back with 2:25 left when Spencer Niebuhr recovered a fumble at the Grizzlies’ 40-yard line. A pass from Tolbers to Shaw inside the red zone was nullified because of a holding penalty, and Albert Lea backed itself into the shadow of its goalpost with a 4th-and-35 situation that was not converted.

“They (the Huskerz) brought it today,” said Albert Lea offensive coordinator George Gerdes. “They made the game real tough to manage with big plays, and we had penalties setting us back. Nothing hurts more than when we’re driving the ball, and then we are bringing it back 15 yards after a 30-yard gain.”

Despite the loss, the Grizzlies showed improvement after the the Huskerz won 40-2 on April 12 in a preseason game.

“We started to figure their defense out,” Gerdes said. “That was something we couldn’t do the last time we played them.”

Saturday’s 12-point win matched the closest game the Huskerz (7-0 overall) had all season. On May 10, the Huskerz defeated the South Central Hawgs 21-9.

Next, Albert Lea (4-3 overall) will host The Panic in its regular season finale at 5 p.m. next Saturday against the Panic (4-3 overall).