More Than a Game: TCS Esports Builds
Champions and Community
By Samantha DePriest
In a milestone moment for TCS athletics, the TCS esports team made history by capturing the state championship in both 2023 and 2025, the first time any TCS team has claimed multiple state titles. What began as competitive gaming has grown into a close-knit community where students thrive both on and off the screen. For TCS mom Jennifer Evans, whose sons Jack and Luke are both seniors and part of the championship team, the experience has been incredibly meaningful. “It’s not at all what I thought it was going to be,” she shares. “My boys found their people and I couldn’t be happier. No matter what they do, we know they are able to humbly share God’s light.”
Luke Evans joined the eSports team three years ago and was on the Mario Cart team that won State in 2023. He now serves at team captain and couldn’t be more excited to compete with his twin brother Jack. Luke shares, “Our success came from great teamwork, and the fellowship we have in our program. eSports is like a little family, and the bonds we created on top of the incredible support from our coach, allowed us to take home another big accomplishment for the school!”
Jack Evans shares “I’ve been a part of esports for 3 years and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made. Yes, winning and playing competitively is fun, but to me it’s more about fellowship. The fun people I’ve become friends with and memories I’ve made are incomparable. Friendships and fellowship is forever, while winning and doing the fun stuff is temporary.
Winning State for a second time in our programs history was a goal ours from the beginning of the year. Safe to say we accomplished that goal. I had two people to thank for these opportunities. One, Mr. Shiflett, without him none of this stuff was ever possible. He is an amazing coach and even better mentor. Second, and most importantly the Lord. Giving all the glory to Him is a must because without Him none of this would’ve ever been possible. Being a part of Esports has been an absolute joy and pleasure and even though I’m graduating, I’m forever thankful for everything about it!“
(Pictured left to right) Joshua Schatzberg, Luke Evans (Captain), Mia Pettersson (Co-Captain), Cody Head, Jack Evans, and Jackson Craven.
Coach’s Corner: Esports Edition
Mr. Zac Shiflett teaches Statistics, AP Statistics, and AP Calculus in the high school and has been the head of the Varsity eSports program for the last 5 years. He was excited to share about the eSports program.
Please tell us about your history with the eSports team.
“I have been the head of the eSports program at TCS for 5 years now, and our Mario Kart team for 4. Every year, we've made it into the playoff bracket and secured at least a top 8 position, but this was a title my kids were never satisfied in; in other sports or titles, it's sometimes easier to give up the top spot when you see just how strong/competitive the other programs are. For Mario Kart, we saw holes in our own program, and holes in the programs of other school. In our second year of our program, the fall of '23, we won our first state championship, defeating Lowndes in the semi-finals and Brookwood in the finals. This was a momentous occasion for the students, as it showed they not only had something to provide to the school, but also something to be proud of; it was their way of glorifying God in what they had given them. This year, in the fall of '25, we again faced off against Lowdnes, who had won the championship in the fall of '24, so reclaiming the state title was also a big deal. This, finally, is a redemption story for Jack Evans, who watched his brother become a state champion from the sidelines in the fall of '23, as had chosen to captain another title that year. Since then, he's joined Mario Kart in the hopes of not only helping his brother secure another win, but to earn one for himself. Through personal struggles, trials and storms, Jack and the rest of the boys have earned their place on the podium.”
How does this championship compare to other milestones in your coaching career?
“First, it's a great validation of a lot of strategies and philosophies we've held as a team and a school; that athletics is at its core about fellowship, communication, and trust; and that all the fruit of that will be seen after. This year has seen more time spent on peer mentorship and teaching, passing on skills and understandings to the next generation of athletes, all while solidifying what these boys know. We also saw the introduction of our Co-Captain Mia Pettersson; she not only performed a vital role as a manager, reviewing film and giving specific commentary to players who needed it, but also captained her own roster of freshmen who will be taking the mantle next year. In the fall of '23, our state win was the effort of 5 students; this year, in the fall of '25, our state win was the effort of all 16 members of the roster.”
What do you hope this win shows the broader school/community about eSports?
“I hope that this can show the community that eSports can be a source of pride, not only for those who can do, but also for those who cannot; many of the students we encounter through eSports have physiological barriers that prevent them from playing in other varsity sports. eSports serves as a social outlet, a place of fellowship, and for some a reason to wake up in the morning and come to school.”
How can students reach out to you if they want to learn more about joining next season?
“We have a few Instagram pages for students to follow, but the easiest is to shoot me an email (zac.shiflett@tcslions.org) or come find me in room 529. I'd love to share everything we do, especially as we'll be picking up a new title in Marvel Rivals in the spring. We hope to compete in Marvel Rivals, Splatoon 3, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and Rocket League.
We also have our own eSports version of discipleship and program plants; we have a program in Utah we are partnering with to not only continue God's mission through eSports, but to continue to grow and foster the community that is this great sport.”