2025 Preview: Atlantic Collegiate Academy Armada

It's still appropriate to call Atlantic Collegiate the new kids on the block. Last season was the first full year playing varsity competition after playing an abbreviated schedule in 2023. And with those growing pains has come with its share of struggles.   But ask junior Jeffery Williams, a two-way standout for The Armada, about starting a program from scratch and he would rather tell you of the positives than the negatives.   “The last couple of years have been tough on us but we're a new school and the new kids and options in the program are exciting,” Williams said at Media Day last month. “We've improved a lot since last offseason. We're more disciplined in a lot of areas. And having a home field has helped. Our school wasn't even built when we started. Now, we have a practice field, we have a weight room. We don't have to move around as much.”   Atlantic Collegiate went 1-8 last year with the lone victory being a region win over Marion. The senior class is still small, and a lot of younger players are expected to play key roles for a second straight season.   But everyone is getting experience. It might not pay quick dividends, but it will eventually pay off.   Coach Antoine Rivens believes his team is far and away ahead of where they were last year at this time.   “The biggest difference is we had a spring practice and not learning things for the first time in the summer,” Rivens said. “We're able to tweak and refine things where last year, we were learning in the summer. We're a lot better than this time last year on all fronts – strength, knowing the schemes, knowing the plays. We're trying to polish things and not learn it.”   Some of the more experienced players returning include quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1683096' first='Brennan' last='Moore'], running back/defensive back Luke Butchka, lineman Brodie Miller and linebacker TJ Wilson among a few others.     STARS SET TO SHINE   Nova Kelley LB, 2027 – Kelly has started since he stepped foot on campus. He' become more of a leader and is starting to really unleash his potential. He had 15 total tackles last season and three tackles for loss. He's still just a junior but going to be one of the guys that the younger guys look up to for guidance.   Brodie Miller TE/DE, 2026 – Miller was a mainstay on the offensive line last season and was a menace from his guard spot. He might still play on the interior, but he could slide out to the tight end spot and provide an extra lineman blocking or leak out to catch a pass or two. He's going to play defensive end as well and that could lead to a breakout campaign on that side of the ball.   Jeffrey Williams DL/OL, 2027 – Williams (pictured) is far and away the biggest college prospect for The Armada. He's a legit 6-foot-2, 302 pounds and still has two seasons of high school ball to develop his skill. He moves well for a big guy and pushes guys around as an offensive lineman. He's difficult to move on the defensive front and clogs the middle to help other guys make plays.   TJ Wilson LB 2026 – Wilson was in on 28 tackles last season with an interception and a caused fumble on his resume. He's going to be one of the few seniors this season, so his leadership and development is going to be key for Atlantic Collegiate. He is going to be the quarterback of the defense and make sure everyone is in the right position.   FILM REVIEW   Luke Butchka RB/DB. 2026 – Butchka is the most experienced back returning and he should take a featured role this season. He's shifty and hard to get a clean hit on him. He's also going to see time at Nickel, the hybrid linebacker/defensive back spot. That's where he made the biggest impact last season. He sheds blocks quickly and has great closing speed to the ball-carrier.    BIGGEST LOSSES   Jay Bellamy RB/DB – Bellamy was the leading ground-gainer last season with 200 yards, and he was a threat in the receiving game as well. He was also the leading tackler, with 40 stops on the season.   Juvi Livingston RB/LB – Livingston made an impact on all three phases of the game. He had a team-best four touchdowns, was the leading receiver with 17 catches for 299 yards and added 38 tackles and two interceptions while being the primary kick/punter returner.     UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   Rylan Watts WR/DB, 2028 – Watts saw plenty of playing time as a freshman and those reps should increase this season. He caught seven passes for 72 yards and one touchdown and made his presence felt in the secondary as well. He's got good size at 6-foot, 170 pounds. That will help him stay on the field for a lot of snaps in 2025.   Angelo Crescenzi DB, 2028 – Crescenzi led the team in interceptions as a freshman with two. He added 31 tackles and played free across the middle. He's just as adept at playing in coverage as he is coming up to help in run support. He's 5-foot-10, 170 pounds and isn't afraid to stick his helmet in any situation.    We list Moore as an athlete, but his primary spot is going to be quarterback with some receiver and defensive back thrown in for good measure. He only threw the ball 102 times last season and completed 47 for 494 yards. The biggest improvement has come in his decision-making and that should cut down on the eight interceptions he threw. He's only to get better with the more experience he gains under center.

It's still appropriate to call Atlantic Collegiate the new kids on the block. Last season was the first full year playing varsity competition after playing an abbreviated schedule in 2023. And with those growing pains has come with its share of struggles.