MOUNT BERRY, Ga. - Viking football finds itself at the top of the Southern Athletic Association Preseason Poll after representing the conference in the NCAA Tournament as co-champions last season.

The airtight race left the Vikings (54 points), just edging out Trinity (50 points) as the favorites to win the SAA. The race only gets more interesting with the addition of predicted third place Maryville, who bested the Vikings in the NCAA Tournament last season.

Berry will face the task of replacing multiple All-Americans, including work horse running back Brandon Cade, who owns school records in nearly every rushing category. Looking to set records of their own this year are Josh Rogers and Brayden Hardy. Hardy saw limited action last year due to the presence of Cade but still poured in 379 yards and five touchdowns on 60 rushes. Rogers missed the majority of last season due to injury, but the former All-SAA performer is sure to hit the ground running and play a large role in the Viking offense.

Under center for the Vikings will be field general Christian Lewis, who completed 138 passes for a school record setting 2,130 yards. His experience coupled with box office wide receivers like Khamari Smith, Brendan Gray, and Bryce Herring, will bring opposing defenses nightmares for the foreseeable future.

Defensively, the Vikings return a strong defensive line and linebacking core, with Dawson Livingston, Christopher Lewis, Jaden Melville, Michael Clark, and Alex Mincey all returning to Valhalla. The secondary will be led by hard hitting defensive backs like Gian Traverzo and Jack Murray and rounded out by a mixture of young talent and proven returners.

Voting was conducted among the SAA's eight head coaches. 

2025 SAA Football Preseason Poll 

1. Berry – 54 (5) 

2. Trinity – 50 (2) 

3. Maryville – 43 (1) 

4. Centre – 41 

5. Millsaps – 27 

6. Southwestern – 25 

7. Rhodes – 24 

8. Sewanee – 16 

Trinity also advanced to the NCAA Playoffs, where the Tigers fell in the first round to UMHB. The team featured two All-Americans and Special Teams Player of the Year Tyler Huettel, who they will look to replace in 2025. Offensively, Trinity ranked just behind Berry, averaging 31.3 points per game with 42 total touchdowns. Defensively, D3football.com preseason All-American Jonathan Nwobodo is a key player to watch.

Maryville was the only SAA team to advance past the first round of the 2024 NCAA Playoffs, defeating Berry before falling to No. 9 DePauw in the second round. The Scots feature two preseason All-Americans, Grant Henderson and Owen Sacks, and are coming off their best regular season since 1978. Under head coach Ben Fox, Maryville went unbeaten in USA South play last year to capture the league championship before joining the SAA, adding even more competition to the conference race.

Past SAA Football Champions 
2024 – Berry (6-1), Trinity (6-1), Centre (6-1) 
2023 – Trinity (8-0) 
2022 – Trinity (7-0) 
2021 – Trinity (7-0) 
2020 – no season 
2019 – Berry/Trinity (7-1) 
2018 – Berry/Centre (7-1) 
2017 – Berry (8-0) 
2016 – Berry/Washington U. (7-0) 
2015 – Hendrix (7-1) 
2014 – Centre (6-0) 
2013 – Millsaps/Rhodes (5-1) 
2012 – Birmingham-Southern/Millsaps (3-1)