After a heartbreaking last-minute loss last week, the Albert Lea football team traveled to Mankato East Friday night hoping to spoil Homecoming week.

The Tigers will have to wait another week to find their redemption, however, as they failed to overcome the Cougars 42-21.

The Tigers fell behind 7-0 quickly in the first quarter, but managed to tie the game at 7-7 just before the first quarter whistle. They would be unsuccessful in holding the Cougars down for the rest of the half, however, going to the halftime break down 28-7.

Despite two touchdowns in the second half, Albert Lea wasn’t going to have enough to come away with the win, as the Cougars matched with two second-half touchdowns.

The story of the game for the Tigers was turnovers. The Tigers turned the ball over four times in their own territory and allowed the Cougars to score on three of those opportunities.

“We were in a very competitive football game once again,” said head coach Corey Black. “We  just turned it over too many times and shot ourselves in the foot. We need to stop beating ourselves and make the other teams beat us. When we take care of that we’re going to be competitive with anybody.”

One of the bright spots for Albert Lea was the pass defense. With a Mankato East passing attack that averages over 215 yards each week, Albert Lea held them to under 100 Friday night.

“It’s good to see those guys take what we have been coaching them throughout the week and translate it to the game,” Black said.

Scoring for the Tigers was senior J.J. Mucha-Owens, once on a two-yard run and again on a five-yard run. Cole Janssen also found the endzone on an eight-yard pass from Logan Howe.

Mucha-Owens was the main cog in the Tigers offensive system, running for 150 yards on 17 carries.

The Tigers move to 1-4 on the season and will play again Friday, when they host the KoMets of Kasson-Mantorville for Homecoming week.