Preseason Blitz: Homer hoping to make it back to Superdome

HOMER, LA (KTAL/KMSS) — It has been a few years since Homer has seen their way to the Superdome. After a disappointing first round exit last year, the Pelicans are ready to return to greatness.

There are already noticeable differences between this season and last.

“Everybody’s stepping up, like the next guy is ready to go in line,” senior Stanley Williams said. “He’s just not depending on the starter.”

Part of that buy-in comes from leadership. Williams is just one veteran filling that role.

“I have big plans for these guys because I know what they’re capable of doing,” head coach Richie Casey said. “They’ve been with me for four years and they’re just good guys, hard workers that’re gonna lead the team in the right direction. Not only that, but they’re good players, so they’re making it a lot easier.”

The senior class knows what it takes to go all the way.

“My freshman year we went to the dome, we lost,” Williams said.

But the Pelicans also know what its like for a season to end earlier than expected.

“My 11th grade year, we had a first round exit. It was an upset and we ain’t like that, so we gotta go deep, deep in the playoffs, hopefully make it back to the dome,” Williams said.

The leaders are passing down the knowledge and emotions to the young guys that Homer will be relying on this season.

“Talented young guys have come up from the 8th grade that have played a lot this year, but we also have some good older guys,” Casey said. “We’ve been young the past two years, but this year those freshmen and sophomores are now juniors and seniors.”

With a mix of older and younger talent, the Pelicans hope to wash away the bad taste in their mouths from last year, and get back to the top.

“Our goal is to win the championship. We had an early exit last year, kind of an upset East Feliciana came in, they played good and they out played us. But we’re looking to kind of get back to get back to the championship game, that’s what we expect,” Casey said.

Homer opens the season at Haughton, kicking off at 7 pm.