Republic’s esports team is back at the state tournament today at State Fair Community College in Sedalia. It’s the third year in a row the program has qualified, and the Tigers enter Rocket League 2v2 as the No. 2 seed.
Coach Robert Coffey said the team has made steady progress. Two years ago, Republic played only 3v3. Last year, they added 2v2 in the fall and finished third, then took second in 3v3 in the spring. The same 2v2 lineup returns this fall — junior Brayden Jones and senior Nevan Kulp.
Jones has reached state every year he’s been eligible.
“I’ve played Rocket League since the game first came out, and once I got to high school, I found out there were esports programs and it could be a big college opportunity,” Jones said. “I’ve gotten to state every opportunity since freshman year… and I want to win more than anything. We’ve gotten fourth, third, and second. This might be our first now.”
Jones handles most of the possession and playmaking. Kulp reads off him and finishes plays.
“In the game, he definitely controls the ball a lot more. I’m more a play off of him,” Kulp said. “He’ll make a play and then I’m more of a clean-up crew. I just come in and score whatever he passes.”
Kulp said he has played Rocket League for about six years but didn’t expect to compete until he joined the program last year. “The fact that I get to actually compete on something that I’ve been working for for six years,” he said. “I think we just need to get first.”
The Tigers are second behind Van Horn in the seeding. Van Horn is the defending champion.
Rocket League remains one of the most common titles in high school esports, and the separate fall (2v2) and spring (3v3) seasons give teams multiple chances to qualify. The fall state championships are set for State Fair Community College in Sedalia today.
Get every story delivered.
Tiger Wire — Republic sports news, free every morning.