North central Ohio grads spur Ashland into NCAA Division II football playoffs

ASHLAND – It’s been 40 seasons since the Ashland University football team first qualified for the NCAA Division II playoffs in 1986.

Before 2007, the Eagles had just two such appearances.

A lot has happened in the playoffs since then for AU, which this Saturday soars back into the postseason with a home game against No.7-ranked Minnesota Duluth (10-1).

It will mark the 14^th all-time Division II playoff game for the No. 18-ranked Eagles (9-2) – the 12th since 2007 – and the seventh on their home turf.

“It’s exciting and I think our kids have proven this year that they travel well, playing six of the first eight on the road,” third-year Ashland head coach Doug Geiser said. “There’s a lot of maturity there, but there is nothing like sleeping in your own bed, eating at the convo, having the same routine.

“The guys love playing in front of the crowd at Jack Miller Stadium and they feed off the energy. And every little advantage you can get at this point helps.”

This year’s senior class, in particular, has chiseled its name into the Ashland history books with some never-before-accomplished feats.

They are the first to qualify to the postseason in three out of four years and the first to win at least nine games in four consecutive seasons (37-11 overall record since 2022).

“I think it says something about the group when you’re still establishing positive ‘firsts’ after (more than a century of football),” Geiser said. “They’re gonna play in their 49^th game – that’s the most any class has ever played in a four-year career here.”

Some of the guys helping push Ashland’s seniors to those new heights got their starts not far from the AU campus.

In total, 13 players on the Eagle roster hail from north central Ohio high schools.

Two of them – Madison graduate Isaac Brooks and Clear Fork graduate Kaden Riddle – are starters.

Two more – Shelby graduate Issaiah Ramsey and Lucas alumnus Logan Toms – have contributed consistently off the bench.

As a redshirt junior cornerback, Brooks is the veteran among the local group and is a key component to what has become one of the best defenses in the entire nation.

Ashland finished the regular season ranked second in total defense (244.5 yards per game) and third in rushing defense (66.3 ypg) for all of Division II.

Brooks (6-0, 165 pounds) has played in all 11 games and has turned in nine tackles, two pass breakups and a huge interception in AU’s 13-9 win in Week 1 at Indiana (Pa.). That fourth-quarter pick helped the Eagles secure their first-ever win in six meetings against IUP.

“The nice thing about Isaac is he’s got another year and he’s finally starting to take that jump maturity-wise,” Geiser said. “He is tremendously gifted with athletic ability; he’s got great speed, great agility, body control – all that stuff you want.

“But I think the thing that’s changed most with Isaac is he’s taken ownership of the process.”

Brooks, who has played in double-digit games in each of the last three seasons, will need to be locked in Saturday.

Minnesota Duluth senior quarterback Kyle Walljasper enters the playoff matchup with 2,176 yards and 26 touchdowns as a passer. He is also the leading rusher for the Bulldogs (831 yards, 16 TDs).

“Isaac sees the relevance of the preparation now,” Geiser said. “He’s doing that on his own, not just when we’re practicing.”

On the other side of the football for the Eagles is Riddle, a redshirt sophomore and two-year starter at left guard.

Geiser said he envisioned the Clear Fork product being a three- or four-year starter when he came into the Ashland program, and that talent has held true.

“He’s got great measurables, he’s got great physical ability,” the coach said of Riddle (6-4, 308). “And on offensive line, it really comes down to how fast you can process and have the game slow down for you.

“I think he’s getting to the point now where the game has slowed down. He’s seen a lot of football.”

This year’s Ashland offense has shown balance behind Riddle and the line, with a nearly even split in yardage for passing (1,900) and rushing (1,832).

The starting offensive line for senior quarterback Cameron Blair has been the same in every game this season. Geiser said part of what keeps things on track is the trust senior linemen Ethan Enders (center) and Nick Walker (left tackle) have in Riddle.

“He’s starting to get into his wheelhouse a little bit,” said the coach, who believes Riddle has all-conference ability.

Ramsey, meanwhile, has begun to flash the talent he showed as a two-time All-Ohioan at Shelby.

A record-setting receiver for the Whippets, he got some time last season in five games and has appeared in eight this fall.

Geiser said the 6-1, 195-pound sophomore had to figure out how to ratchet up his talent through a better work ethic, and the growth has shown.

“At Shelby he was probably always the most talented guy who stepped foot on the field on Friday nights,” Geiser said. “His path has taken him a little bit longer and he’s had to go the special teams route to make his mark.

“But he’s done some great things for us on kickoff coverage.”

A similar contributor, Toms has continued to blossom as a redshirt freshman playing on both defense and special teams.

As a true walk-on at Ashland after a sparkling career as an All-Ohioan at Lucas – where he was a four-year starter in football and the school’s all-time leading scorer in basketball – Geiser said Toms has forced the coaching staff to find places for him.

“The thing that really sets Logan apart is he’s really smart,” Geiser said. “He’s physically talented, he’s got a tremendous work ethic; nobody’s gonna outwork him.”

Toms (5-11, 190) has played in six games this season and has totaled four tackles as a safety.

Like Ramsey, Geiser said he believes the former Cub will be a big factor in the seasons to come.

All 13 local players on the roster have been part of a big finish in 2025.

This year’s Eagles are co-champs of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference alongside No.12-ranked Findlay (10-1, 8-1), granting Ashland its third title in five years in the league.

Kickoff Saturday is 1 p.m. at Jack Miller Stadium. The winner will advance to a second-round game against an opponent to be determined.

The other first-round matchups in Ashland’s Super Region 3 include: Northwood (9-2) at No. 1-ranked Ferris State (11-0), No. 21 Minnesota State (8-3) at No. 12 Findlay (10-1), and Truman State (8-3) at No. 8 Indianapolis (10-1).