ATLANTA – Despite the low number of players on this year’s roster, the Atlanta Huskies are excited for the challenges that they will face during the upcoming season.

“We have some returning players on this year’s team with some experience and we are looking forward to the season and hopefully we can put some wins together,” Atlanta coach Troy Cheedie said.

With a roster of just 19 players, the Huskies bring back several familiar faces to a team that is looking to rebound after a couple of rough seasons. After graduating just one player last year, the Huskies are looking for junior quarterback Austin Corbin to take the next step forward as the Huskies’ signal caller.

Along with Corbin, running back Mark Durocher will be the team’s workhorse in the backfield and is determined to have a solid senior campaign after his junior year was cut short due to injury. Reece Wood will also be another focal point on offense as last year he was one of Corbin’s favorite targets at wide receiver.

On the defensive side of the ball, senior Bruce Lamorand will try to build off of what was a solid 2015 season as he led the team in tackles and also finished top 10 in the area.

Many of the Huskies’ problems last season were due to the fact that they were unable to stay healthy last year and with the numbers being down this year, Atlanta can’t afford too many injuries.

“We are looking for a lot of our upperclassmen to step up and become leaders this year. For the most part we are pretty much set with what we are going to go with on opening night, but there has been a lot of competition in practice for a few of the spots that are open,” Cheedie said.

After going 0-9 a year ago and being shut out in five games, the Huskies are determined to be much more competitive this year, knowing nothing will come easy as they feature a tough schedule in and out of North Star League play.

“Our goals are just to go out and play together as a team. I’m looking for our older guys to lead these younger guys and show everyone how we play Huskie football which is going out there, keeping a good attitude, being good sports and win or lose, leaving it all on the field,” Cheedie said.