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Offseason Forecast: Valley Huskers

By Ryan Watters (@ryan2tswatters), 03/11/15, 3:00PM PDT

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Will 2015 the year the Huskers turn things around?

Photo courtesy of Yvonne Churly

What’s Changing?

This will be the second year the Valley Huskers will be led by Head Coach Adam Smith as the Conference returns to a balanced schedule.  The Huskers finished 1-9 a year ago, scoring a Conference low 159 points, while giving up 430.

Coach Smith has made changes at both the offensive and defensive coordinator positions, as Ian Rosier will handle the play calling on the offensive side, while Jeff Whitehead takes over the “D.”

The coaching changes do not end there as Coach Smith is still looking to add to his staff and grow the program, making the Huskers more competitive on the field.

Graduating Players:

* LB Sharif Ali: Was the Huskers leading tackler in 2014 compiling 109 defensive points, including tying a Conference high 37 solo tackles.  His 21 assisted tackles was a Conference high and he intercepted two passes.

* RB Benedict Muhima: When the Huskers offence ran the ball, Muhima was carrying it.  He rushed 56 times for 405 yards, averaging 7.2 yards a carry and scored three touchdowns.    His 91 yard sprint was the second longest run in the BCFC.

What They Need:

The Huskers have developed a very good receivers core led by BC Lions Evaluation Camp invite Tyron Ledingham.  Blake Draper, Cody Vinish, Karrnon Felix and Keenan Malik will also be returning, but the Huskers desperately need a quarterback to get the ball in the hands of their offensive weapons. This core made 113 catches for 1760 yards and eight touchdowns a season ago.

Defensively the Huskers need a pass rusher.  The club had a Conference low eight sacks in 2014.  Their secondary has two promising young players in Daniel Mills and Jason Ghag, but getting in the face of the opposing quarterback will be critical in 2015.

The Huskers will host their spring camp at Exhibition Field in Chilliwack May 15-18th.