Esports which is short for “electronic sports” is competitive, organized video gaming. It’s when players or teams compete against each other in video games similar to how traditional sports are structured. Instead of playing on a physical field or court, the competition happens inside a video game, but it still involves skill, strategy, and communication.
At Laurel-Concord-Coleridge, the season started on Sept. 15. This will be the third year LCC will be participating in Esports through the Nebraska Schools Esports Association where over 100 schools across the state are involved.
The games for the fall season are Marvel Rivals, Super Smash Brothers Ultimate, and Chess.
Marvel Rivals is a team-based multiplayer hero shooter game where two teams of six compete against each other. The Rivals team consists of Shane Langford, Tyrelle Sims, Benjamin Pico-Towne, Hunter Benson, Jayson Wayman, Owen Johnson, Alex Allison, and Trystan Sims.
Super Smash Brothers Ultimate is a Nintendo fighting game where players compete solo against each other. Students playing Super Smash Brothers Ultimate are Craig Karnes, Mara Droppers, Jacob Kolar, Kyler Hangman, Trystan Sims, and Eric Langford.
Chess is played through chess.com which is free for anyone to play. Matches are 10 minutes blitz meaning players need to be quick. Students playing chess this season are Shane Langford, Tyrelle Sims, and Paul Allison.
The teams have weekly matches against other Class C schools using Swiss scheduling that are all played online at the high school. Swiss scheduling means match ups are made based on previous week results. If team A won week one they will play another team that also won in week two and vice versa. Swiss scheduling helps to ensure games are balanced and competitive. The regular season is seven weeks and ends on Oct. 30. Playoffs start Nov. 3 with the state tournament on Nov. 21-22.
The location for the state tournament has not been determined yet.
ESports had a successful opening to their season recently, Marvel Rivals Team defeated Thayer Central 2-0; Craig Karnes defeated David City in Super Smash Bros 2-0 and Paul Allison defeated Hemingford in Chess 2-0.
ESports Jacob Kolar defeated Elkhorn Valley 2-1 in Super Smash Brothers. Tyrelle Sims defeated Centennial 2-1 in Chess. This was the second match for the season.
ESports Shane Langford defeated Hemingford in chess 2-0.
ESports Craig Karnes defeated Elkhorn Valley in Super Smash Bros 2-1. Tyrelle Sims defeated Elkhorn Valley in Chess 2-1. Marvel Rivals Team which includes Shane Langford, Ben Pico-Towne, Tyrelle Sims, Hunter Benson, Owen Johnson, and Alex Allison defeated Bridgeport 2-0.
Jacob Kolar defeated Fall City 2-0 in Super Smash Bros.
Recently Kyler Hangman defeated Johnson-Brock 2-0 in Super Smash Bros. and Mara Droppers defeated Fillmore Central 2-1 in Super Smash Bros.
Shane Langford defeated the top ranked chess player from David City in Chess 2-1. Marvel Rivals Team featuring Shane Langford, Ben Pico-Towne, Tyrelle Sims, Hunter Benson, Owen Johnson, and Alex Allison defeated Winnebago 2-0.
E-Sports Jacob Kolar also defeated Centennial 2-1 on Friday in super smash bros to move to 3-0 on the season.
E-Sports Jacob Kolar then defeated Chase County 2-0 in Super Smash Bros to move to 4-0. Trystan Sims defeated Fillmore Central 2-0 in Super Smash Bros.
More information can be found on the LCC school bulletin.
