Tigers fall to Trojans; one more chance for 1st win

The Albert Lea football team hosted the Worthington Trojans in their home finale Friday night. 

Despite forcing seven turnovers, the Tigers were unable to grab the win as they fell to the Trojans, 14-0.

The Tigers looked to be in a bit of trouble on their first possession of the game. They turned the ball over just two plays into the drive on a fumble. They would get the ball right back, however, after an interception by Garret Piechowski.

Albert Lea wouldn’t be able to capitalize on the turnover, but would once again get the ball back after Piechowski’s second interception of the game. He would return the interception to the Worthington 12-yard line, but the Tigers would again be unable to find the endzone after a fourth down stop by Worthington.

One play later, the Tigers would add another turnover to their credit when Isaac Moyer grabbed a fumble recovery to put the Tigers in position to score.

In the first quarter alone, Albert Lea forced three turnovers and weren’t done yet.

Head coach Corey Black talked about the impact of turnovers in the game.

“They really put us in a position to score in the first quarter,” he said. “Having the ball within their 30-yard line was huge, it’s just too bad we couldn’t come up with one play to stick it in the endzone and convert. That’s what a lot of teams have been able to do to us this season and it was really nice to be able to have the tables turned.”

At the end of the first quarter, both teams were still scoreless. Worthington would put the first points up on the board after a three-yard rush and good PAT to take a 7-0 lead.

Albert Lea would force yet another turnover when Connor Barney was able to recover a fumble. Despite the turnover, the Tigers would again fail to find the endzone.

Worthington would take advantage of Albert Lea’s inability to score and widened their lead on a 32-yard pass and good PAT attempt to take a 14-0 lead.

The Tigers went to halftime down two touchdowns, but well within range of making a comeback.

Albert Lea came out in the third quarter and forced two additional turnovers. J.J. Owens intercepted a pass and Piechowski fell on a fumble for his third forced turnover of the game.

“The great thing about Piechowski is not only his interceptions, but his blocking on offense tonight,” Black said. “Tonight was a great night because he was in position to make every single play. It was great to see him rally behind the defense and make some big plays.”

Again, the Tigers would be unable to reach the endzone, but they would also keep Worthington out of the endzone. The score would stay 14-0 heading into the final quarter.

The fourth quarter would yield no points for either team, but Moyer would fall on one more fumble to record his second takeaway of the game. The final score would stay at 14-0 in favor of the Trojans.

“The defense played outstanding,” Black said. “They played well enough to win. The defense deserved to win this game. We just needed to be able to find 14 points to pull it out and unfortunately we were unsuccessful with our shots.”

The Tigers fall to 0-7 on the season and will play in the final game of the regular season on Wednesday when they travel to take on the Tigers of Belle Plaine.