Bob Jones Esports continues to conquer with 10th consecutive State Championship
MADISON – Continuing its state dominance, Bob Jones High School Esports succeeded in its tenth consecutive State Championship in Rocket League competition.
The championship was held at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. State championships for the computer sport were introduced in Alabama High School Athletic Association or AHSAA in 2019.
Esports is organized, competitive gaming in various titles of video games, either individual or team-based.
Bob Jones Fusion team members are seniors Jonah Brooks and Luke Scherer and junior Max Dunkerley. Corey Robinson, a senior, won in Madden NFL 25 competition.
“Bob Jones Fusion (in Rocket League) went undefeated in fall 2024 for AHSAA Rocket League. We successfully made it through their playoff bracket of the Top 16 teams in Alabama to become State Champions for the eighth time in a row with the current roster,” Head Esports Coach Aubree White said.
At Bob Jones, White teaches English 9, along with English pre-advanced placement 9.
BJHS Fusion, in the program since fall 2019, has won the championship 10 times consecutively.
“Rocket League” is a vehicular, soccer video game. A person can play on either a console or a PC. Bob Jones players compete on PC, but they may use their preferred controller style.
“Corey Robinson ended the AHSAA ‘Madden NFL 25’ in the fall 2024 season as the no. two seed, dropping only one game. He successfully completed his playoff bracket of the Top 16 teams in Alabama to become the AHSAA Madden NFL 25, Fall 2024 State Champion for his third time,” White said.
A person plays “Madden NFL 25” on a console. Robinson uses his preferred PS5 controller.
“Bob Jones Fusion, skill-wise, is just on another level than most teams in Alabama. This skill level and success stems greatly from past players that have since graduated beginning the work and practice with the current roster players when they were young and finishing middle school,” White said.
“Their success has networked wonderfully for them, and they have been able to collaborate with collegiate-level players and pro-level players to receive feedback and instruction,” White said. “Additionally, they’re phenomenal teammates to one another. Their chemistry is just unmatched at a high school level.”
The Bob Jones team understands each other’s play styles perfectly and consistently plays together, even outside of team practice and game times, she said.
As a coach for teams with numerous titles, White said each championship always feels fresh. “I’m just as proud each time they have won. They work so hard and have so much fun together each season. It’s so fulfilling to see them work, succeed, celebrate and make memories together.”
Esports players are just like any other athlete, White said. Being part of a team builds communication and collaboration skills necessary for all areas of life.
Playing Esports also builds an understanding of commitment and motivation to always improve. “Esports builds reflection skills to look at a performance, reflect on the good and bad and plan to correct/fix/improve whatever for future performance,” White said.
