by Bill Mullaly
In his novel back nearly 85 years ago, Thomas Wolfe said famously, “You can’t go home again.”
Well, the Homer Trojan athletics department is going to try and prove that you can. After three years of playing athletics in the Jackson-area Cascades Conference, the Trojans are back in the Big 8 Conference for the upcoming 2026-27 school year and for the foreseeable future.
“Yes, in a sense it does feel like a homecoming,” said 11-year Trojan athletic director Brad Roth. “We are excited about returning to the Big 8. There is a lot of familiarity with the schools, but I will add that this current Big 8 Conference is not the same one we left.”
Homer had been a charter member of the Big 8 Conference when they joined with seven other schools beginning with the 1972-73 season. The original eight members stayed together for about four-and-a-half decades until Athens left after the 2016-17 campaign and were replaced by Bronson. The original eight schools were: Athens, Concord, Homer, Jonesville, Quincy, Reading, Springport and Union City.
Then upheaval took place in the Big 8 Conference when in the fall of 2023 both Homer and Jonesville departed for the Cascades Conference.
“We felt at that time it was a good move for us and overall it was a learning experience for us in the Cascades,” said Roth, who noted coming back to the Big 8 now is also good timing for the Homer athletics program. “For our student-athletes, coaches and our community, coming back to the Big 8 Conference is the right thing to do. In some ways, it feels like we never left. We have picked up where we left off and we have been welcomed with open arms by the member schools. However, things are not the same in the Big 8 but that’s okay because a lot of things are changing in school sports.”
New members added since Homer left are Vermontville Maple Valley, Stockbridge and just this school year East Jackson comes in. Also, for football-only Sand Creek was part of the Big 8, but they just left. Sand Creek will now play in a combined Michigan-Ohio football conference called the Great Lakes.
“We will embrace the traditions, history and long-standing friendships we have had in the Big 8,” said Roth. “We kept up some of our rivalries with the Big 8 schools as much as we could when playing non-league games in the Cascades. Just as we will now continue to play some Cascades schools in non-league competition. We were never far from the Big 8 and what was going on there and now we are excited to be back.”
The Cascades Conference was a large league with 12 members and two divisions based on geography. Homer will return to the Big 8 that has 10 member schools for 2027-28. However, Stockbridge will be leaving after this school year to join the Cascades and in a sense will replace East Jackson. Also, Hillsdale will be coming into the Cascades next year to replace Homer andget the Cascades back up to 12 member schools.
One local school happy to have Homer back in the Big 8 Conference is Concord and its athletic director Matt Lehman.
“We think this move by Homer coming back is good for them, good for us at Concord and good for the Big 8 Conference,” said Lehman, who is the dean of Big 8 athletic directors. “We missed them and the league rivalry we had. They are back and we all benefit from that. I know just as a whole that the Big 8 Conference welcomes back Homer to our league.”
Perhaps the key sport when changing conferences is how things go for the football program and Homer is ready to return to Big 8 Conference gridiron action.
“I am excited to return to the Big 8 for our players and the community,” said Trojan head varsity football coach Nic Cass, who begins year four at Homer. “This will be my first season in the Big 8 Conference and I am looking forward to renewing some rivalries and to see what they are all about.”
The Cascades Conference was set up differently for football and Cass notes one thing he will miss about the Cascades. “Having the two divisions and then the championship game at the end were special,” said Cass. “Finishing with the conference championship game was just a neat way to end the season.”
The Homer girls will also be looking forward to returning to the Big 8 Conference to renew decades long rivalries with schools like Concord, Quincy, Union City and others.
“I think with Homer returning to the Big 8 Conference that it will be great to see long-time rivalries being rekindled,” said girls varsity basketball coach Rodney Lowden. “I know Homer has a deep tradition in the conference and I think the return of us to the Big 8 will be good for everyone associated with Homer athletics.”
Cass also noted a few other positives about returning to the Big 8 Conference for Homer athletics in general.
“We will all play similar-sized schools, with less distances traveled and for football we will return to Thursday night JV games instead of playing on Mondays,” said Cass. “I think coming back to the Big 8 Conference is a plus for the majority of our sports.”
Homer is back home in the Big 8 Conference and the wait to take on old traditional rivals won’t be a long one. The Trojans open the gridiron season on Friday, August 28 at Union City in varsity action. Actually, the Trojan JV football team will be the first to return to Big 8 Conference play when they host the Chargers on Thursday, August 27.
In his novel back nearly 85 years ago, Thomas Wolfe said famously, “You can’t go home again.”
Well, the Homer Trojan athletics department is going to try and prove that you can. After three years of playing athletics in the Jackson-area Cascades Conference, the Trojans are back in the Big 8 Conference for the upcoming 2026-27 school year and for the foreseeable future.
“Yes, in a sense it does feel like a homecoming,” said 11-year Trojan athletic director Brad Roth. “We are excited about returning to the Big 8. There is a lot of familiarity with the schools, but I will add that this current Big 8 Conference is not the same one we left.”
Homer had been a charter member of the Big 8 Conference when they joined with seven other schools beginning with the 1972-73 season. The original eight members stayed together for about four-and-a-half decades until Athens left after the 2016-17 campaign and were replaced by Bronson. The original eight schools were: Athens, Concord, Homer, Jonesville, Quincy, Reading, Springport and Union City.
Then upheaval took place in the Big 8 Conference when in the fall of 2023 both Homer and Jonesville departed for the Cascades Conference.
“We felt at that time it was a good move for us and overall it was a learning experience for us in the Cascades,” said Roth, who noted coming back to the Big 8 now is also good timing for the Homer athletics program. “For our student-athletes, coaches and our community, coming back to the Big 8 Conference is the right thing to do. In some ways, it feels like we never left. We have picked up where we left off and we have been welcomed with open arms by the member schools. However, things are not the same in the Big 8 but that’s okay because a lot of things are changing in school sports.”
New members added since Homer left are Vermontville Maple Valley, Stockbridge and just this school year East Jackson comes in. Also, for football-only Sand Creek was part of the Big 8, but they just left. Sand Creek will now play in a combined Michigan-Ohio football conference called the Great Lakes.
“We will embrace the traditions, history and long-standing friendships we have had in the Big 8,” said Roth. “We kept up some of our rivalries with the Big 8 schools as much as we could when playing non-league games in the Cascades. Just as we will now continue to play some Cascades schools in non-league competition. We were never far from the Big 8 and what was going on there and now we are excited to be back.”
The Cascades Conference was a large league with 12 members and two divisions based on geography. Homer will return to the Big 8 that has 10 member schools for 2027-28. However, Stockbridge will be leaving after this school year to join the Cascades and in a sense will replace East Jackson. Also, Hillsdale will be coming into the Cascades next year to replace Homer andget the Cascades back up to 12 member schools.
One local school happy to have Homer back in the Big 8 Conference is Concord and its athletic director Matt Lehman.
“We think this move by Homer coming back is good for them, good for us at Concord and good for the Big 8 Conference,” said Lehman, who is the dean of Big 8 athletic directors. “We missed them and the league rivalry we had. They are back and we all benefit from that. I know just as a whole that the Big 8 Conference welcomes back Homer to our league.”
Perhaps the key sport when changing conferences is how things go for the football program and Homer is ready to return to Big 8 Conference gridiron action.
“I am excited to return to the Big 8 for our players and the community,” said Trojan head varsity football coach Nic Cass, who begins year four at Homer. “This will be my first season in the Big 8 Conference and I am looking forward to renewing some rivalries and to see what they are all about.”
The Cascades Conference was set up differently for football and Cass notes one thing he will miss about the Cascades. “Having the two divisions and then the championship game at the end were special,” said Cass. “Finishing with the conference championship game was just a neat way to end the season.”
The Homer girls will also be looking forward to returning to the Big 8 Conference to renew decades long rivalries with schools like Concord, Quincy, Union City and others.
“I think with Homer returning to the Big 8 Conference that it will be great to see long-time rivalries being rekindled,” said girls varsity basketball coach Rodney Lowden. “I know Homer has a deep tradition in the conference and I think the return of us to the Big 8 will be good for everyone associated with Homer athletics.”
Cass also noted a few other positives about returning to the Big 8 Conference for Homer athletics in general.
“We will all play similar-sized schools, with less distances traveled and for football we will return to Thursday night JV games instead of playing on Mondays,” said Cass. “I think coming back to the Big 8 Conference is a plus for the majority of our sports.”
Homer is back home in the Big 8 Conference and the wait to take on old traditional rivals won’t be a long one. The Trojans open the gridiron season on Friday, August 28 at Union City in varsity action. Actually, the Trojan JV football team will be the first to return to Big 8 Conference play when they host the Chargers on Thursday, August 27.
Homer volleyball looks to build on successful 2025 season
Homer volleyball will look to build on a stellar 2025 season with a ton of talent returning this season and without last years leader in Alivia Warner.
Photo by Torri Ballentine
by Bill Mullaly
The Homer varsity volleyball team will find out what life is like post-Alivia Warner as the star player from last year has moved on due to graduation.
The Trojans had a very good season a year ago, finishing up 27-20-4 before falling in a fiveset overtime thriller in the Division 4 district tournament to Centreville.
Back for her second season leading the Homer volleyball program is Kellie Mulnix who took the team from six wins in 2024 to 27 last year, with the help, of course, from Warner and others.
The Homer squad will have a dozen players this fall led by senior middle blocker/hitter Lilly Stemaly.
“We aim to have another outstanding season with her in the middle,” said Mulnix. “Lilly is a skilled hitter who knows how to place the ball in open spots, as she has excellent court vision. Also, she contributes as a strong server for the team.”
Another senior expected to do some really good things is outside hitter Riley Butler, who missed last season due to a serious knee injury.
“She (Riley) has come back strong and she gives us a strong court presence, whether in the front row or back row,” said Mulnix. “She is a real leader, and we want to see her compete again at a very high level.”
A couple of juniors are going to be real contributors this season as standout softball player Brooklen Minix now turns her attention to the court. She will be the team’s libero where she is a defensive specialist and a leader.
“She is expected to be one of the top passers in the Big 8 Conference,” said Mulnix about her talented three-sport athlete who also plays basketball at a high level. “Brooklen consistently gives her best effort as she puts the team first. She is easy to coach and we will rely on her to contribute significantly.”
The other junior who can do some really good things is outside hitter Khloey Fisher who returns from a year ago. “She is a strong hitter and she can help us also in the back row with her defense,” said Mulnix. “She also brings a strong serve to her game and she is one of our key hitters at the net.”
Paige Konkle is a senior setter and senior Hailey Flora is an opposite side hitter at the net.
The team will have four other juniors who will battle to see playing time and to give the team depth. Paige Huff is a defensive specialist, while Rhianna Canfield is another opposite side hitter. The team also boasts the Leskowich girls, a set of twins who will both help out as well. Madison is a setter for the offense, while Morgan is a back row defensive specialist.
The final two girls may be only sophomores, but they are superb all-around athletes playing three sports each. Riley Zuck is an opposite side hitter, while Ellerie Kissinger is a middle hitter.
“The strength of this team will be our strong defense,” said Mulnix. “We have several players who can play multiple positions, which we can turn into an advantage. We also have lots of athleticism in the back row with girls, who by digging the ball, will frustrate some big hitters we go against.”
Homer will battle in the always-tough Big 8 this season with Bronson being everyone’s favorite to take the league title. Concord will be very strong as well.
“We expect to finish in the top half of the Big 8. We want to create some excitement in the postseason,” said Mulnix, who will be assisted by Carley Cure. “These girls have put in a lot of off-season work and they are constantly improving. The sky is the limit for these girls.”
Homer will have a JV team coached by Michelle Failing, assisted by Courtney Brown.
Homer will open this evening (Wednesday) at home taking on Pittsford and Reading in a tri-meet. The first serve is at
6 p.m. Homer will compete in November in the Division 3 district to be held at Jonesville. The home highlight of the season will be the 30th annual Nikki Blatter Memorial Tournament held on October 3.
The Homer varsity volleyball team will find out what life is like post-Alivia Warner as the star player from last year has moved on due to graduation.
The Trojans had a very good season a year ago, finishing up 27-20-4 before falling in a fiveset overtime thriller in the Division 4 district tournament to Centreville.
Back for her second season leading the Homer volleyball program is Kellie Mulnix who took the team from six wins in 2024 to 27 last year, with the help, of course, from Warner and others.
The Homer squad will have a dozen players this fall led by senior middle blocker/hitter Lilly Stemaly.
“We aim to have another outstanding season with her in the middle,” said Mulnix. “Lilly is a skilled hitter who knows how to place the ball in open spots, as she has excellent court vision. Also, she contributes as a strong server for the team.”
Another senior expected to do some really good things is outside hitter Riley Butler, who missed last season due to a serious knee injury.
“She (Riley) has come back strong and she gives us a strong court presence, whether in the front row or back row,” said Mulnix. “She is a real leader, and we want to see her compete again at a very high level.”
A couple of juniors are going to be real contributors this season as standout softball player Brooklen Minix now turns her attention to the court. She will be the team’s libero where she is a defensive specialist and a leader.
“She is expected to be one of the top passers in the Big 8 Conference,” said Mulnix about her talented three-sport athlete who also plays basketball at a high level. “Brooklen consistently gives her best effort as she puts the team first. She is easy to coach and we will rely on her to contribute significantly.”
The other junior who can do some really good things is outside hitter Khloey Fisher who returns from a year ago. “She is a strong hitter and she can help us also in the back row with her defense,” said Mulnix. “She also brings a strong serve to her game and she is one of our key hitters at the net.”
Paige Konkle is a senior setter and senior Hailey Flora is an opposite side hitter at the net.
The team will have four other juniors who will battle to see playing time and to give the team depth. Paige Huff is a defensive specialist, while Rhianna Canfield is another opposite side hitter. The team also boasts the Leskowich girls, a set of twins who will both help out as well. Madison is a setter for the offense, while Morgan is a back row defensive specialist.
The final two girls may be only sophomores, but they are superb all-around athletes playing three sports each. Riley Zuck is an opposite side hitter, while Ellerie Kissinger is a middle hitter.
“The strength of this team will be our strong defense,” said Mulnix. “We have several players who can play multiple positions, which we can turn into an advantage. We also have lots of athleticism in the back row with girls, who by digging the ball, will frustrate some big hitters we go against.”
Homer will battle in the always-tough Big 8 this season with Bronson being everyone’s favorite to take the league title. Concord will be very strong as well.
“We expect to finish in the top half of the Big 8. We want to create some excitement in the postseason,” said Mulnix, who will be assisted by Carley Cure. “These girls have put in a lot of off-season work and they are constantly improving. The sky is the limit for these girls.”
Homer will have a JV team coached by Michelle Failing, assisted by Courtney Brown.
Homer will open this evening (Wednesday) at home taking on Pittsford and Reading in a tri-meet. The first serve is at
6 p.m. Homer will compete in November in the Division 3 district to be held at Jonesville. The home highlight of the season will be the 30th annual Nikki Blatter Memorial Tournament held on October 3.
Young Litchfield volleyball team eyes SCAA success
by Bill Mullaly
The Litchfield varsity volleyball team will be 10 players strong as they get set to compete in the SCAA East Division this season.
After an 8-19 mark last season, the team will look to be competitive this season without departed standout graduate Abby Bills. The leader of the squad this season will be senior Briyanna Campbell, who returns with four years of experience, as she has been on the varsity since eighth grade. She will play two positions: a middle hitter/blocker at the net and will spend time setting the ball as well. She will be the lone senior on the team this fall.
“We will have a young team here at Litchfield this season,” said third-year coach Christyn Smith. “The players are developing their skills quickly. It has been very encouraging to see the girls' growth, commitment and passion as they come together as a team in such a short period of time.”
The team will have no junior players, but they will have three sophomores led by Aubrey Valore who is an outside hitter at the net and is a back row specialist on defense. This will be her third season with the varsity team as she first joined the varsity as an eighth grader.
Another solid sophomore is Gracie Small who returns from last year. Small will serve as a middle hitter/blocker at the net and will be joined by the final sophomore, Isabella Van Aken who will see time as a setter and as an outside hitter.
The squad will look to four freshmen for team depth.
Harper Baker is an all-around player who can help at several positions, according to her coach while Mackynzi Davis will be an outside hitter and a back row specialist due to her defensive skills. Clara Small, the younger sister of Gracie, is another good freshman player who will help as a middle hitter.
Serenity Todd is a freshman who can help all across the court so look for the second-year varsity player be on the court often. Davis and Todd both played last year on the varsity team as eighth graders.
In addition to the four freshmen, Litchfield will boast a pair of eighth-grade players in Brinlee Adams as a setter and Maci Weller as an outside hitter at the net.
“Our primary goal this season is to establish a team built on strong fundamentals, consistency and a positive work ethic,” said Smith, who is a teacher during the day for Litchfield schools. “As a coach, I want every player to be motivated to work hard each day at practice and to develop a genuine love for the game.”
The Terriers will be in action this coming Tuesday at Burr Oak at 5:30 p.m. as they begin action by playing a SCAA non-divisional game against the Bobcats.
“We are trying to build a foundation that will be essential to the continued growth of the program,” said Smith, who noted there will be just a varsity team this season with no JV squad. “We want to help inspire younger girls to become involved and to be part of the Litchfield Terrier volleyball program in the future.”
The Terriers will be in Division 4 postseason play as they will compete in early November at the East Jackson district. They will be one of six teams, including powerful Concord.
The home opening action will be on Thursday, August 27 against local rival Will Carleton Academy from Hillsdale. The start time is set for 5 p.m.
Junior-led Tekonsha volleyball set to take the court in 2026
by Bill Mullaly
The Tekonsha varsity volleyball team will open up its 2026 campaign next Tuesday at Athens in SCAA non-divisional play.
The Indians are under the direction of fourth year head coach Kelsie Russell, who will field a squad of nine players. There will be one notable absence from the team, as senior standout athlete Angel Veenkant has decided to forego her final year of volleyball for personal reasons.
Russell is happy with the nine players she has and is looking forward to building off last season when the team struggled to win games.
Tekonsha finished at 3-14-2 a season ago, but they improved greatly from the start of the season. In the final three matches, they lost to Burr Oak in five sets and then won in five sets over Burr Oak. In the district opener, Tekonsha fell to a solid Camden-Frontier team losing all three games by just two points.
“We made great improvement last year from the start to the end,” said Russell, who returns five players with varsity experience. “We are excited to build off of our season last year and the returning players with experience will really help.”
Leading the team in a positive direction with hard work is returning senior Aundrea Gay.
The junior class will be a big part of the team’s success this season led by Allison Shaffer who is the team’s setter. Junior Addi Goheen will play as a middle hitter. Another junior who will be strong at the net is Makiya Hoover, who will be counted on to block and hit in the middle. Emily Collins is another returner who is a junior who will be an opposite hitter.
A key senior player will be Rowynn Sutton, who will be used as an outside hitter. There will be one sophomore, Ella Stem, who will perform as a defensive specialist in the back row. Two freshmen will look to make an impact, as Charlie Woodward will be an opposite side hitter. The second freshman is a defensive specialist, Daelyn Copas, who will help in the back row.
“Aundrea is our leader so we will build things around and off of her,” said Russell. “We have just nine players, but I like the nine we have. We will be ready to go for our season opener as the girls have been working hard.”
The highlight to the home portion of the schedule will be the Tekonsha Invitational that will take place Saturday, August 29 in the home gym. There will be three other teams competing in the invite.
Two other key tournaments will be the Nikki Blatter Memorial at Homer in early October. Then, Tekonsha will play in the annual Jonesville Think Pink event in the middle of October.
The Indians will look to finish as high as they can in the SCAA East Division. In early November, Tekonsha will be in the Division 4 district at Bellevue.
The Tekonsha varsity volleyball team will open up its 2026 campaign next Tuesday at Athens in SCAA non-divisional play.
The Indians are under the direction of fourth year head coach Kelsie Russell, who will field a squad of nine players. There will be one notable absence from the team, as senior standout athlete Angel Veenkant has decided to forego her final year of volleyball for personal reasons.
Russell is happy with the nine players she has and is looking forward to building off last season when the team struggled to win games.
Tekonsha finished at 3-14-2 a season ago, but they improved greatly from the start of the season. In the final three matches, they lost to Burr Oak in five sets and then won in five sets over Burr Oak. In the district opener, Tekonsha fell to a solid Camden-Frontier team losing all three games by just two points.
“We made great improvement last year from the start to the end,” said Russell, who returns five players with varsity experience. “We are excited to build off of our season last year and the returning players with experience will really help.”
Leading the team in a positive direction with hard work is returning senior Aundrea Gay.
The junior class will be a big part of the team’s success this season led by Allison Shaffer who is the team’s setter. Junior Addi Goheen will play as a middle hitter. Another junior who will be strong at the net is Makiya Hoover, who will be counted on to block and hit in the middle. Emily Collins is another returner who is a junior who will be an opposite hitter.
A key senior player will be Rowynn Sutton, who will be used as an outside hitter. There will be one sophomore, Ella Stem, who will perform as a defensive specialist in the back row. Two freshmen will look to make an impact, as Charlie Woodward will be an opposite side hitter. The second freshman is a defensive specialist, Daelyn Copas, who will help in the back row.
“Aundrea is our leader so we will build things around and off of her,” said Russell. “We have just nine players, but I like the nine we have. We will be ready to go for our season opener as the girls have been working hard.”
The highlight to the home portion of the schedule will be the Tekonsha Invitational that will take place Saturday, August 29 in the home gym. There will be three other teams competing in the invite.
Two other key tournaments will be the Nikki Blatter Memorial at Homer in early October. Then, Tekonsha will play in the annual Jonesville Think Pink event in the middle of October.
The Indians will look to finish as high as they can in the SCAA East Division. In early November, Tekonsha will be in the Division 4 district at Bellevue.
