St. Scholastica coach not expecting many surprises in opening playoff game

Once he saw the bracket for the NCAA Division III playoffs, Kurt Ramler knew he wouldn't have to watch hours of game film this week. "I'm pretty positive of what they're going to do," the first-year St. Scholastica coach said. "And I'm sure they're pretty positive what we're going to do."

The Saints will play Saint John's for the first time when they meet in Saturday's playoff opener in Collegeville, but the teams share a common thread. Ramler is a former Johnnies quarterback who spent last season as offensive coordinator at his alma mater, under head coach Gary Fasching. The two have known each other since 1996, when Ramler was a senior and Fasching began a 17-year run as an assistant to longtime Johnnies boss John Gagliardi.

In his second season as head coach, Fasching guided St. John's (9-1, 7-1 MIAC) to its 32nd conference championship and first NCAA playoff berth since 2009. St. Scholastica (10-0, 9-0 Upper Midwest Athletic Conference) won its fourth consecutive league title in Ramler's rookie season and will make its fourth playoff appearance.

Two of Ramler's assistants also are former Johnnies, adding to the familiarity factor. While that may be interesting fodder for conversation, Fasching said, it doesn't change the way the 13th-ranked Johnnies approach the game. They are eager to reclaim their reputation as postseason power players after four years on the sidelines, against a young program seeking its first playoff victory.

"Kurt always played with great passion, and he has a very good, very solid team," Fasching said of Ramler, one of the most successful quarterbacks in Johnnies history. "We'll have to play our best to win.

"It's been tough [to miss the playoffs], because you always want that experience for your players, and John Gagliardi made that the norm. It's been a focus of our guys to win the conference and get back to the playoffs. It's gratifying that this group was able to do it."

Saturday's game at Clemens Stadium marks the Johnnies' 25th playoff appearance. Ramler took them to the postseason twice during three seasons as their starting quarterback and led them to three MIAC titles.

His predecessor, Greg Carlson, founded the St. Scholastica program in 2008 and rooted it in the school's guiding principles. Upon his retirement last year, Ramler emerged from a field of 100 applicants because of his commitment to follow that model. Athletic Director Don Olson said Ramler was the perfect fit for a college that views sports as one component of a balanced life, a complement to study, service and spirituality.

Ramler immediately clicked with the players, who have flourished in a simple yet dynamic offense. Behind senior quarterback Tyler Harper — a prolific passer who threw for a league-high 26 touchdowns — the Saints topped the UMAC with 42 points per game while holding opponents to 14.

"There are different ways to bake a cake," Ramler said. "This is my recipe that I really believe in. It's the players' program; I'm just here to facilitate. And our players have really impressed me with their dedication, work ethic and improvement."

St. John's has found new life under Fasching, who went 7-3 in his debut as head coach last season. He felt he had the right players to move forward this fall, and he got confirmation before the season was a month old.

After the Johnnies lost to Concordia in their MIAC opener, Fasching told them they had to approach each remaining game as if it were a playoff. St. John's has not lost since, going 7-0 since Sept. 27 while showing steady improvement each week. Sam Sura — who leads Division III with a school-record 1,605 rushing yards — anchors the Johnnies' ground game, and the defense is surrendering only 12.3 points per game.

He wasn't expecting an early return to Clemens Stadium, but Ramler is anxious to see what it feels like on the visitors' side of the field.

"That definitely adds a little more interest and drama, a little something extra," Ramler said. "It's going to be exciting."