News File Photo Atlanta senior Trace Juergens, seen in this News file photo, is expected to have a big year for Atlanta after leading the area in rushing and receiving in 2020.

ATLANTA — With several playmakers returning in 2021, there’s lots of potential for the Atlanta football team to put points on the board.

The big key for the Huskies however is to make sure they can keep opponents off the board. During a 3-4 campaign last season, the Huskies averaged nearly 27 points per game, but surrendered nearly 40 points per contest.

If they can do that, Atlanta could separate itself from a crowded North Star League pack in a bid to make the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1994-95.

“Defensively, we’ve spent a lot of time in the last couple of weeks working just on defense,” Atlanta coach Troy Cheedie said. “Hopefully we see quite a change in our defense this year and we can keep them off the scoreboard.”

On offense, Atlanta is counting on another monster year from running back Trace Juergens, who is Atlanta’s only senior. The 2020 8-Player All-Alpena News Player of the Year was a first team all-conference pick last season and wreaked havoc on opposing defenses.

Juergens led the area in both rushing and receiving during a shortened 2020 season, accounting for more than 1,200 yards of offense. Cheedie is expecting another big year out of Juergens, especially after his commitment to offseason conditioning.

“Now that he’s in a captain position and a senior, he’s been encouraging a lot of younger guys to get in the weight room. He’s lifted quite a bit this year and I believe he’s stronger and faster than he’s ever been,” Cheedie said. “He’s looking as good as he was last year, so we expect good stuff from him.”

TJ Currie returns at quarterback for Atlanta after throwing for more than 500 yards last year and Gage Cheedie will provide playmaking ability as a running back. On the line, Atlanta returns Tucker Kendrick along with several players who were thrust into action last season.

Defensively, Atlanta isn’t short on experience either as Gage Cheedie, Kendrick, Juergens and Currie were all among the area’s leaders in tackles last season. Kendrick was a first team all-NSL pick on the defensive line, Juergens was a first teamer in the secondary and Cheedie was a second team selection at linebacker.

Atlanta opens the season on the road tonight at Au Gres.

The Huskies will open the season with a pair of road games, before a four-game homestand and then finish the season with a trio of road games.

A 2021 Atlanta team photo will run in a future edition of The News.