SOMERSET – After defeating Granger in the bi-district round of the Class 1A Division II playoffs, the Runge Yellow Jackets faced the D’Hanis Cowboys in the area round on Friday night. After the game went into overtime and the smoke cleared, the Yellow Jackets were handed a 35-28 to end their season with a 9-3 record.

“If you step outside of it, it’s a big turnaround,” said Runge head coach Ken Wallace. “On the inside, it feels like we should still be going. We hung right there with them.”

After being tied at 14-14 at halftime, Runge scored twice in the second half, each time on runs by Travis Perez, with Ryan Saucedo kicking the extra points. After each Yellow Jacket score, however, the Cowboys counted to even it up. The score stood at 28-28 at the end of regulation, with D’Hanis getting the ball first to start overtime. The Cowboys scored seven on their possession and kept the Yellow Jackets out of the end zone on their overtime possession.

Despite the loss, Wallace is proud of the team for turning things around and ending the longest postseason drought in Class 1A.

“We’re ahead of our schedule,” said Wallace. “We had a five year plan. It’s a credit to the kids. They’re working their tails off. One thing has a domino effect on the other, so we’re hoping it keeps going.”

Wallace also appreciated the support of the Yellow Jackets’ supporters throughout the turnaround season.

“It feels good to have people fired up and excited,” said Wallace. “It got everybody rejuvenated.”