February 18, 2025
It’s only been a few short years since Gilbert High School entered the competitive esports world, and yet the Tigers are already a player … pun intended.
Gilbert won a Mario Kart state championship in the spring of 2024, and then added a second consecutive trip to the fall Smash Bros state tournament just a few months ago.
The ascension has been quick. And now the coaches and students think they have a chance to make a similar jump in the current winter season playing Rocket League.
“Last year we were on the cusp of making it into the playoffs, but we lost out on a tiebreaker,” Rocket League coach Troy Staudt said. “This year, the team has been very successful.”
Following a 6-1 regular season, Gilbert earned the No. 5 seed in the postseason. The top four seeds earned automatic berths to the state tournament on Feb. 28 in Marshalltown, which means the Tigers have a little work in front of them to reach the main stage.
The Tigers will take on No. 12 seed Williamsburg (4-2) on Thursday at 4 p.m. The winner will advance to the in-person state tournament and keep hopes of a state title alive and well.
“Our goal was to make it to the postseason for the first time,” Staudt said. “We’ve met that goal, and now the goal becomes can we make that in-person event? That gives you a much different experience than if you do it virtually.”
“Our goal was to make it to the postseason for the first time We’ve met that goal, and now the goal becomes can we make that in-person event? That gives you a much different experience than if you do it virtually.”
-Troy Staudt, Rocket League Coach
For those of you unfamiliar with Rocket League, think soccer meets demolition derby. In the 3v3 game set in a dome-type atmosphere, teams use cars to try to push an oversized ball into the goal. The cars can go airborne, they can ramp off the side rails, and there are plenty of collisions.
“It’s relatively simple if you’re watching the game,” Jason Chung, also a coach with the Rocket League team, said. “It looks pretty much like soccer. Since it is a 3v3 game, everyone has to rotate and communicate a lot.”
“Yes, communication is super important in this game,” Staudt said in agreement. “The teamwork aspect of this game is even bigger than with Mario Kart.”
Team veteran Raymond Lopez, a junior, leads Gilbert’s team, and he’s joined by freshmen Teddy Pistilli and Korben Wirth. Hunter McLaughlin, a senior, is an alternate on the varsity team.
Gilbert’s lone loss this season came at the hands of Glenwood (7-0), which captured the No. 1 seed and auto bid to the state tournament. The Tigers won 18 of 22 games and scored 85 goals during the regular season.
The coaches say the teamwork has only improved as the season has progressed. And with all three players able to return a season from now, the Tigers should be even better in 2026.
“I’ve been really happy with how the varsity has done,” Chung said. “They’re definitely at a level where it’s hard for Troy or I to give many technical tips because they’re far beyond our level of play, so we just make sure they stay focused. But I’ve noticed significant growth from the beginning of the season, especially with their teamwork. I hope we keep building.”
