SEARCY AR (LP) — Searcy High School has started an esports team and dozens of players have signed up for the team. The team will host unofficial practices at home via the internet with a combination of groupme and discord chats. There is no schedule for what other schools will play against Searcy High School, but matches will start February 26 to May 20. The game League of Legends, Smite, and Rocket League will be the three games that students are competing in. In League of Legends and Smite the matches are five players versus five player and in Rocket League the matches are three player versus three players.
One of the esports players Johnson Guthrie tells us that, “Playing in esports is just like being a football team. There is still competition between schools and is a definitely a sports team. I have been in many underrated esports team that is not school affiliated and the competition is such an exciting event, especially if you win.” Esports has risen to becoming a school sport in recent years. Being a great sense of competition, teamwork, and gameplay eSport is a great sport to add to Searcy High School. Another eSport player Tanner Thomas tells us, “Esports is fun everybody these days plays games at home and everything so it’s nice to have some competition with it with other schools.” Esports is a great opportunity for a lot of students at this school. It is another way that the school can reach out to many different students and give them an activity where they can get involved with their peers.
Many people question the validity of esports being an actual sport. Currently there is over 200 colleges offering scholarships for esports athletes. Just like traditional sports, esports can help teach students important life skills such as team work, leadership, problem solving, conflict resolution, discipline, and so many others. According to Coach Stubblefield from the esports team, “Esports is not a video gaming club. We are planning on being competitive so that we can possibly win a state championship and I am looking forward to the season and super excited!”
All esports matches are played online in official and unofficial team practices. There is no traveling involved unless the esports Searcy HIgh School team make it to the state championship. According to Johnson Guthrie, “My thoughts on esports is that this is an amazing thing that has happened for the recent years. I have seen the sport grow from the ground up and have been a huge supporter of the sport ever since it started.”
Esports is one of the new sports to be included at Searcy High School. Johnson Guthrie tells us, “It gives an opportunity for everyone to play a sport. Some guys are good for on the field sports while others are good at video games so it gives the other kind of athletes that can be outstanding on the sticks a chance to get the scholarship to play at the next level or get money for it just like other athletes get for playing football or baseball.” Students will look forward to the upcoming matches this season and hopes that Searcy will win.
