ASHLAND, Ky. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” If AshlandÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s defense is ahead of the offense early in the season, coach Chad Tackett understands why.
Starters returning on defense for the Tomcats in 2025 are more numerous than on offense. Ashland piled up 528 points in 2024 and allowed 226, with 78 coming in two losses.
Several of the faces who shouldered the load on offense are gone. Tackett has more familiar names on the defense. TheyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ll have to step up while the new faces on offense come of age for this edition of the Tomcats, coming off an 11-2 season a year ago.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œDefense, more starters back,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Tackett said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œMore experience. Keep us in the game until the offense jells. WeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve got some skilled kids outside quarterback. We try to have a good freshman/(junior varsity) program. Give those guys plenty of reps in practice, so theyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re ready to step in when itÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s time to go.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
The positions to watch are quarterback and running back. LaBryant Strader, AshlandÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns, is gone, as is running back Braxton Jennings, an explosive all-purpose back who totaled more than 1,600 yards from scrimmage and scored 25 touchdowns. Both are now at Louisville. Jennings is a back for the Cardinals, while Strader is a student only.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe lost a good amount of offense from both of those guys,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Tackett said.
Quarterback hopefuls are Tanner Stutler, Tanner Woodman and Carter Anderson. Stutler is a freshman. Anderson is a sophomore. Woodman is a transfer from Rowan County. He saw action with the Vikings last season. WoodmanÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s father, Jason, is the new coach at Morehead State.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThe cupboard is not bare,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Tackett said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve got some guys who can step up.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
Ashland does have some experience on offense with back Maverick Ashby, versatile Cameron Davis, whoÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ll see action at receiver and running back, center Buddy Marucci and receiver/defensive back Sam Lyons. Davis and Lyons played basketball and Lyons also played baseball for the Tomcats.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œGuys back spent a considerable amount of time in the weight room,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Tackett said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œAll have gotten faster. SamÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s a rare athlete. HeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s got his body back where it was two years ago. AshbyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s picked up some offers. Cam is probably one of the best players in the state. Started on defense as a freshman. Went both ways as a sophomore. Primarily put him in the backfield, have him tote the rock. WeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ll split him out some, too.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
The Tomcats return multiple bodies at each level of the defense, which should be a team strength until the new signal-caller gets settled in.
Names to watch include linebackers Dylan Duckwyler, Keshawn Newman, JJ Keyes and Rieday Rucker on the line. Players who look to develop up front include Wyatt Riley, Luke Corless, Charles Remy, Miles Hutchinson, Baker Sutton and Todd Miller. Corless and Miller could work on the offensive and defensive lines. Mason Wolfe should have an impact in the secondary. Two sophomores to watch are Daylen Farrow and Trevonte Taylor.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œDepth is strong in the sophomore and senior class,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Tackett said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s good to have that good talent paired up. Not many juniors.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
AshlandÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s scrimmages were against Jackson (Ohio) and Huntington High. The Tomcats were to open the season with Raceland, which lost to Sayre (27-22) in the KHSAA Class A state title game last year. They close against usual 3A contender Lexington Catholic.
In between is a visit to Tates Creek and Johnson Central in a big district game, along with meetings with other district foes Greenup County, Rowan County and Boyd County.
If the defense delivers and the offense jells, Ashland could crash the top five in this top-heavy Class 4A.
A year ago, Ashland lost to Harvest Prep (Ohio) in the regular season and at Corbin in the third round of the state playoffs. An 11-2 season is impressive, but Tackett and the Tomcats want more.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œFrom Raceland on, thereÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s no letup in the schedule,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥ Tackett said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIn order to take a team to a deep run in the playoffs, you have to have a good, hard schedule to prepare. WeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ll stub our toe from time to time, but hopefully when we get to Week 1 of the playoffs, weÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re ready.
ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œ4A is the most competitive division in the state. ... WeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve got to get to Lexington. ThatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s our main goal. Anything short of that is no good for us. WeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve got to find a way to get over the hump.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥
