The Hampton-Dumont-CAL Esports team finished runner-up in Rocket League Class 2 tournament at IAHSEA Winter State Showdown hosted by Marshalltown on Friday.
The Bulldogs entered the competition as the eight seed. All matches were decided by best of five. In quarterfinal, H-D-CAL upset #1 seed Glenwood 3-0. In the semifinal, the Bulldogs took down #5 seed Gilbert 3-0 to advance to the championship. In the championship, the Bulldogs fell 3-0 to #6 seed Ames.
H-D-CAL Title Coach Dustin Epple on what has helped the Bulldogs compete at a high level in Rocket League and senior leaders Chase Casey and Nikolas Bautista.
“We were running a little bit more of a linear setup. I think with the skillset we have, we’ve been able to be more dynamic. Zayden brought some of those plays in, some of that game sense and logic of how to play the game. They’ve definitely been grinding. They’ve been working on their mechanical skill,” says Epple. “I’m excited for next year. I’m gonna be sad to see Chase and Niko go because they are quite special. Chase is good at Rocket League and an excellent Overwatch player. Niko is a good Rocket League player and an insanely good Overwatch player. I’m happy to see a new team come in, a new generation come in and take the reins.”
Other Bulldog Rocket League seniors include Alex Garcia and Adrian Santana Bobadilla.
H-D-CAL also competed in the Overwatch Class 2 tournament at the Winter State Showdown on Wednesday. The Bulldogs enter the competition as the one seed. The Bulldogs went 0-2 with a 3-1 loss to Dubuque Senior in the first round and a 3-0 loss to Muscatine in second round and did not place.
Epple on how Esports has continued to grow.
“I never thought that I’d be able to apply video games and competitive video game knowledge to something where I’m helping the community. That’s definitely been a really cool thing giving some of these students’ opportunities and activities, just like some of the other more athletic students. I’ve really enjoyed that. I’ve really enjoyed the student engagement. Reaching state, I didn’t even really think about it when I started. Now that we’re going, I love it.”
H-D-CAL Esports Coordinator Ethan Voelker on the Bulldogs representing on the state level and support of title coaches, Epple and Zayden Erdman.
“I have been truly impressed this year. It’s been an absolute honor to help these guys get to where they’ve been. This is our third or fourth time down to the tournament in a couple years. It’s great to keep representing our district. I hope we can do it again. Maybe next year, pull some more trophies home with us,” says Voelker. “This year has taken off a lot from my shoulders. It has been an absolute joy. I can now sit back and handle some of the administrative stuff instead of just scrambling to try and fill all these little holes that keep opening up. When needed I can just allow my two coaches to take care of the day-to-day operations.”
The Bulldogs will have a brief break before beginning their spring season.
