CJFL Offseason Forecast: Colts biggest surprise of 2014 season

One of the biggest surprises across the Canadian Junior Football League in 2014 was the play of the Calgary Colts.  Following a winless season in 2013 and an overhaul in the coaching staff, the Colts started slow, but finished with three blowout wins to make the PFC playoffs.

In the PFC semi-final the Colts upset the defending Canadian Bowl champions in Regina to win the right to play for the PFC title.

What’s Changing?

For the most part the Colts will look the same on the off the field in 2015.  Four new board members have joined, two of which are alumni while the other two are well known in the community.  President Mike Tuff has taken on a second role as the Director of Football Operations giving him a chance to not only work with the board, but the coaching staff as well.

This season also marks the 50th year for the Colts organization and they will unveil a 50th anniversary logo in the coming weeks.

Graduating Players:

* RB Cameron Fox: Arguably the best offensive threat for the Colts last season carrying the rock a CJFL high 135 times for 631 yards and scoring six touchdowns.
* LB Chris Friesen: He was one of the anchors on the much improved defensive of the Colts last season with 26 solo tackles, seven assisted stops, three sacks, two knockdowns, a forced fumble and two interceptions.
* DB/R Kieko King: Mr. Everything for the Colts in 2014.  King made 18 solo tackles, three assisted tackles, four knockdowns and recovered a fumble.  King was also returning kicks, including missed field goals. As a matter of fact he returned a missed field goal 120 yards for a major.  In all he returned three misses for a Conference high 194 yards with an average of 64.7 yards.  King ran back 15 punts for 114 yards and seven kickoffs for 192 yards.
* OL Grant Potter: One of the best in the business, who anchored a much improved offensive line.

What They Need:

In true Coach Snoop form the second year Colts Head Coach says they need to fill ALL positions.  Perhaps the most glaring will be at running back after the graduation of Fox.  He not only was dangerous on the ground, but was used catching passes coming out of the backfield.  He made 23 grabs for 288 yards, averaging 12.5 yards a catch with a touchdown.

Counting On:

The Colts success towards the end of the season bolds well for the club coming out of the gate in 2015 with some young players that benefitted from last year.  Receiver Jevon Cottoy was named a PFC Rookie All-Star last year making 26 catches for 524 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 20.1 yards a catch.

Also on offensive the Colts will look to Xavier Ramsay to fill the shoes of Fox.  Last year Ramsay ran 37 times for 217 yards and two majors.  He will get the ball plenty more times as the featured back.

Defensively the Colts will rely on linebacker Colton Burr after a terrific season a year ago.  He finished the season with 121 defensive points, second only in the PFC to the CJFL Defensive Player of the Year Jakub Jakoubek.  Burr compiled 46 solo tackles, seven assisted stops, two sacks, a block, a knockdown, a forced fumble and two interceptions.

Defensive back Conner Robinson will also be looked at to provide leadership in the secondary.  Last year he made 14 tackles, had four assists and a knockdown.

With the graduation of Potter on the offensive line Jordan Kuziak will need to take on a bigger role to give the quarterbacks time to drop back as well as blow open holes for Ramsay and company.

The Colts will open Spring Camp April 24- 26 at McMahon Stadium.  The evening of April 24th the Colts will hold their 2015 Calgary Colts Athletic Evening with Anthony Calvillo as the guest speaker.

Photo credit: Matthew Hamilton