The Central esports program, which is celebrating its second-year anniversary of action this December, is ranked 25th in the nation and has a 75%-win rate.
The team, which consists of 77 students split into 19 teams, just scored a win in the state e-chess championship hosted by the Nebraska Schools Esports Association (NSESA). Last spring, the team secured a championship victory in Super Smash Bros.
“Students have shown up, and our record speaks for itself: we’ve done phenomenal,” head coach Jonathan Franta said.
The program is a part of two leagues: the state league, NSESA and the national league, known as PlayVs. The season runs year-round, players are only required to attend three practices a week, and there are numerous competitions each week, making the sport easily accessible to Central students. It is not yet sanctioned by the Nebraska School Activities Association but continues to rack up big wins.
Students can participate in a variety of games, including “Fortnite,” “Overwatch,” “Streetfighter,” “Chess,” “Rocket League,” “Valorant,” “League of Legends,” “Hearthstone,” “Madden,” “NBA 2K,” “Splatoon,” “Super Smash Bros,” “Mario Kart” and more. The diverse selection of games allows for everyone who enjoys video games to partake, Franta said.
“I have gamers from everywhere: powerlifting, wrestling, tennis, cheerleading and more. You name the activity, and we have someone on our roster participating in it,” Franta said.
He believes esports is like other sports in its level of competition but differs in that it gets players out of their comfort zone frequently. While players still have to try out, it is easy to make the team if you are coachable, Franta said. His students have even had greater success than Central, going on to play esports in college.
He said scholarships for esports are becoming more common and he’s had more players get full rides or half-scholarships in the past year than ever.
“Every year we get a little more recognition,” said junior Jacob Davis, who plays on one of the “Super Smash Bros” teams. He credits both the coaches and his teammates for their recent achievements. “Our coaches tell us everything we need to know and do, and my teammates are so dedicated. We’re spending our weekends and free time getting together and practicing so we can make our hobby a winning sport.”
Franta said he looks forward to the rest of the year and the many competitions still to be played, including many where the Eagles could be champions. He hopes the sport eventually gets sanctioned by the NSAA, which would allow for the team to receive even more recognition and play for state championships. Davis said he and his teammates are hoping to have a successful run in the state and national playoffs.
“We’re not just about being successful, we want to get better at our games and have fun,” Franta said of his team’s mission.
Sophomore Sophi Luethge agreed, telling KMTV in November that games are the future and that “you grow, you learn to work with a bunch of people and you get close with them. They become your friends and your family.”
Esports will look to continue its wins as it gears up for national competitions and more state matches next semester.
