Zumbrota-Mazeppa's comeback falls just short in first state appearance since 1996

APPLE VALLEY — As the final whistle blew and the clock struck zero, Darin Raasch did his best to take it all in. With tears in his eyes, the Zumbrota-Mazeppa football coach then embraced each one of his 14 seniors. At times he offered words of encouragement; at others, he gave bear hugs as they melted into his arms. After an incredible three months, the ride that had been 30 years in the making had officially come to an end for the Cougars with a 19-16 loss to Waseca in the Class 3A football state quarterfinals on Saturday at Apple Valley High School. "I just feel gratitude. Gratitude for the opportunity to work with these kids," Raasch said. "I'm thankful that they have all developed into the young men that they are, and they're going to be. I'm excited for what they can accomplish, seeing what they did accomplish by working together. They will always be great kids. I just won't have the opportunity to work with them anymore.

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