In just their first year, the Frenship Esports program is already turning heads in the gaming world. The Frenship Rocket League is ranked number one in the state for the PlayVS League, going undefeated in their regular season. On Thursday, February 6th, the team of three will go head to head with Grapevine High School for the State Rocket League Championship. That competition will be streamed live via Twitch, the world's leading live streaming platform for gamers.
Frenship Esports students also did well in their League of Legends competitions, making it into the second round of playoffs and ending that season as a top 16 team in the state.
“I’m super proud of them. Their hard work has paid off,” said Frenship Esports coach Nicholas Copeland. “They’ve really been working hard on team concepts and strategies.”
Starting in the Fall of 2019, Frenship’s Esports program launched in the PlayVS League with about 30 students for the first season. But it’s more than just gaming. Copeland says it’s like any other sport where students must learn to work as a team, communicate effectively, think strategically and hone their skills through continuous practice. Growing in popularity, there are even collegiate scholarships available for high school students.
Since October, the Frenship teams have been competing in the two games, Rocket League and League of Legends. While the students came into the program knowing how to play video games individually, Copeland says it’s rewarding to see how his players have learned to come together to collectively play as a team.
“It’s awesome to see how they’ve come together over the last few months,” he said. “They’ve improved their communication skills and teamwork.”
Week after week, Frenship dominated the competitions and ended the first-ever Frenship regular season undefeated in Rocket League. Over 80 teams competed and Frenship was one of 32 teams to earn a spot in the playoffs this January.
Now ranked the number one team in the state, Frenship beat Cinco Ranch High School in the semi-finals last week. They’re now one of two teams vying for the state championship title. Frenship students, friends and families are encouraged to cheer on the students during the live championship. The team will be playing at 4:30 p.m. on February 6th in the FHS Lab Theater.