Burke County Bears Esports

06/09/2026

Today is the day! T-minus one hour! See you there!

Come join Coach Ruffin and Coach Braddock at the BCRD's new esports camp taking place this summer! Esports is alive and well, and it's time kids get the opportunity to practice! We are so excited for this opportunity, and we are so grateful to Mr. Christopher Castle for taking this on.

See you soon!

06/03/2026

Come join Coach Ruffin and Coach Braddock at the BCRD's new esports camp taking place this summer! Esports is alive and well, and it's time kids get the opportunity to practice! We are so excited for this opportunity, and we are so grateful to Mr. Christopher Castle for taking this on.

See you soon!

05/17/2026

“Esports isn’t even that competitive”

“It doesn’t take that much skill”

“Esports isn’t a real job/ Esports isn’t a real sport”

“How could you be a fan of a video game player?”

“Video games are for kids”

- The Haters, probably.

05/15/2026

I know esports is a newer concept, and most people still don’t fully understand it, but my brother and I traveled to Dreamhack in Atlanta today for a Call of Duty event, and I’m here to say publicly:

Esports is a here to stay. So many people are here today to show their support for their favorite gamers. There’s so many career implications from IT and adverising to content creation and entrepreneurship.

If your son or daughter wants to pursue esports in high school, encourage them to do it! Many colleges are hopping on the train and have their own esports teams, too, and they hand out scholarships. Who knows, maybe one day your child will go pro?

P.S. Go Optic

04/25/2026

Today’s loss in the semi’s eliminates us from the playoffs. We finished third in state. It’s a hard loss, and the guys are taking it hard. I couldn’t be prouder.

Ethan Kemp has put in the time and effort, even coming to practices as a freshman when we weren’t even sure we’d have a Rocket League team.

Parker Prickett put on the grind, rising through the ranks, and listening to coaching advice from his teammates. Never have a seen someone so willing to adapt and grow.

Dustan Stripling, while he joined us late, immediately filled a leadership role. He took time off work, coached, streamed, and watched film.

Honestly, a class A group of guys. I just wish we could have finished the deal. Regardless, we made it farther than the majority of teams in state, and these guys should hold their heads high.

04/25/2026

It’s lit in here now!

04/25/2026

04/20/2026

LET'S GOOOOO!!!

Rocket League wins in the Elite Eight and advances to the Final Four in Bartow County! This will be Burke County's third trip to the Bartow County Esports Arena in four seasons and our first for Rocket League.

While their opponent is unknown, we are banking on it being the #1 team in the state, Truetlen County. We find that out tomorrow.

If you see Ethan Kemp, Parker Prickett, or Dustan Stripling, tell them congratulations for all their hard work and wish them luck.

Go Bears!!

04/20/2026

Tune in to watch our Elite Eight match today! Winner advances to the Final Four!

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04/16/2026

⭐️🎉ELITE 8 BOUND!! 🎉⭐️

The Bears handled business today against Pickens High School.

In the regular season, we faced Pickens and narrowly won 3-2. Today, everything was clicking, and Ethan, Parker, and Dustan won with ease.

Next, we face Hardaway High School on Monday, April 20. If we beat them, we travel to Bartow County for the state semi-finals and (hopefully) finals!