26 | HUNTSVILLE LIVING | FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2025
Alpha Omega
LIONS LOOK TO REBOUND AFTER FALLING SHORT
By Colton Foster
Putting the last season in the rearview can be tricky, but for Alpha Omega Academy, it’ s going to be a split of keeping what you learned and looking ahead.
With five key players returning, who all played significant roles during the run, the Lions will have both the hunger to leave something behind. However, going into the season with such high expectations can lead to an early letdown.
But there are still things that the Lions can take away to help them this year, as they are the No. 6 team in the sixmanfootball. com preseason rankings for TAPPS DII.
“ The message to these guys is don’ t look in the rear view mirror, last year doesn’ t mean anything. It was an experience, but everything is in front of you,” AOA head coach Jeff Norris said.“ This season will be what they make of it. I think we have a good mindset. They are hungry and not satisfied with last year. They want to be the best.”
The Lions return this season with an offense that appears ready to roll, with five of the six starters back. Of that, sophomore Case Collum is ready to take the reps as the Lions quarterback after making an appearance in 12 games last year.
AOA ran with a two-quarterback system with Collum and Will Winn, but Collum quickly took the sole job, which allowed Winn to play on the defensive end and focus on that. Collum established a relationship with Hudson Ramey and Colton Sikes to help get the offense going.
Collum threw for 1,245 yards as a freshman and led 20 drives that ended in touchdowns.
One thing about him finding that success last year is that the Lions now get a sophomore quarterback who has experience and has gotten the‘ freshman’ out of him.
“ It’ s a plus and it’ s always good when you can play a freshman their freshman year and get that out of them,” Norris said.“ In my experience, when they come back as sophomores, they are advanced, and we saw that from Hudson Ramey last year. It bodes well for them and their
26 | HUNTSVILLE LIVING | FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2025