From 2004 to 2022, Ridgedale never won more than three games in a season. That changed in 2023 when the Rockets went 6-4.
Last year in Asch Tilley’s first season as the head coach, they matched the wins and earned their first playoff berth since 2003.
It was a breakout season for Ridgedale, and now the team wants to keep it going.
Here’s a closer look at the Rockets in 2026:
Who’s missing from Ridgedale in 2026?
The media recognized Ridgedale’s big season by selecting six players as Division VII All-Ohioans. However, five of them were seniors in 2025.
Gone is Central District Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-Ohioan Evan Ricketts who produced 105 tackles with seven tackles for loss, two interceptions and three fumble recoveries as a defensive lineman and linebacker. He was the Marion Star’s Defensive Player of the Year.
Other All-Ohioans who graduated were running back and linebacker Michael Deas, kicker Derrick Mahaffey, receiver Ayden Salyer and defensive back Isaac Lust. Only junior Britton Pottkotter along the defensive line is back as an All-Ohioan after putting up 69 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, eight sacks and two fumble recoveries.
How will the Rockets compensate without so many talents?
First, Tilley will lean on four experienced and skilled returnees in Carter Huffman, Kingston McGary, Lincoln Kramer and Pottkotter.
“These players are expected to lead the team on and off the field. They will enforce the coaches’ expectations,” Tilley said.
Kramer overcame injury during the season to throw for 780 yards, nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions. McGary was depth on offense, but on defense he picked off three passes and added 22 tackles. Huffman was one of their best offensive linemen, adding 72 tackles and three sacks on defense.
They added new athletes who return to the program with Billy Wren, Jayse Schaffer, Logan Oliver and Anthony Marlow.
“They have all played in the past but are expected to jump back in without missing a beat,” Tilley said.
Other names to notice are Braxton Roberts, Colt Rawlins, Jaxon Cook, Mylo Richmond, Hunter Hutchinson, Gabe Malo and Kadin Parish.
What are the expectations at Ridgedale in 2026?
The goal is simple: “Produce another winning season,” Tilley said.
Competing in the Northwest Central Conference means they will be playing teams with similar sizes, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. The Rockets went 5-3 last year in the league.
“I think the league looks very similar to last year and believe we should all fall round the same record, give or take one,” Tilley said.
Despite the graduation losses of All-Ohioans, the Rockets are optimistic they can sustain what they started a year earlier.
“This was the first year of having a true offseason program in many years at Ridgedale. We had many kids dedicated to bettering themselves and working fundamentals,” the coach said.
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2026 Ridgedale Football File
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Ridgedale football ready to reload in 2026 after breakout season
Reporting by Rob McCurdy, Marion Star / Marion Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Rob McCurdy, Marion Star | USA TODAY Network
