Boyer Valley scores E-Sports State Title
BV brings home Rocket League State Championship
By Matt Gengler, Sports Editor
sports@missourivalleytimes.com
Boyer Valley claimed the 2026 E-Sports Rocket League State Champoinship on Feb. 28 at Marshalltown High School.
Boyer Valley seniors have been waiting for this moment since the end of the last winter season. The Bulldogs used the 2025 State Runner-Up finish as motivation for this entire Rocket League season.
The Seniors who have been part of this program since its induction include, Owen Sindt, Ashton Groves, Brandon Amaya, Justin Kenkel, Carlos Arroyo, Jedadiah Levell, Dustin Toben, and Chase Miller.
“I am absolutely stoked from this monumental moment,” stated Ashton Groves. “We earned this, I’ve knew this was our last chance to get the ‘W’, and we did. We had the same mindset through the season and tournament, as well as elite team chemistry. We were all focused to get the job done. We were hyped.”
“Our AD, Mr. Maaasen, asked our class of seniors four years ago if we wanted to be a part of something new,” stated Owen Sindt. “At the time, I didn’t think too much of it, but it was a chance to play games on school time. We placed in the top eight of the state the first three years, but as competitive as our class is, we knew we had to make the most of our final chance. It hurt last year not finishing on top, but it lit the fire for this year.”
“We had just one obective on our mind after qualifying for the fourth straight season,” stated Chase Miller. “We had a disappointing feeling at the end of the past three seasons, and we didn’t want to feel that again. We were motivated more than ever, as this was our last chance, as Owen and I were the league’s top scorers. We were a little nervous the first round, but once we gained some confidence, we started rolling.”
The Bulldogs started the E-Sports journey four years ago (2022-2023 season). They have slowly been building momentum, as they have appeared in the State Finals in four consecutive years, including State Runner-Up in 2025. Boyer Valley has also qualified in the Spring (Valorant), 2025. The Bulldogs winter run (Rocket League) consisted of three top-eight state finishes (2023 / 7th place; 2024 / 5th place; 2025 / 2nd place).
Sindt added, “This was a Redemption Season for us, as we were driven and motivated the entire year, and wasn’t going to stop until we reached the top. We knew we had the skills in ourselves to get it done, and after last season, we wanted to prove to ourselves, the community and the state, we have the best players. After the semifinal win, some of us kept practicing, while other stepped back, rested and regrouped so we were ready for the moment. But once we reached the finals, we put together our best game of the day and season.”
Both the Dow City and Dunlap Volunteer Fire Dept. welcomed the State Champs back into town, and the students and parents celebrated around the victory bell.
Groves concluded, “This is something we’ll never forget, as we worked hard and earned it, especially after begin so close last year. We were all hyped riding down Iowa Ave on Friday night, waiting to ring the victory bell. It was an unforgettable experience.”
Sindt added, “It’s an amazing feeling for this team and group that was part of the first program. We’ve put in a ton of time the past four years, and it finally paid off. Getting escorted into town by the fire dept and police as we rolled into town, it doesn’t get any better than that. Everyone cheered us on at the school, sent texts and we were able to ring the victory bell – It made me realize how great this community is. Everytime I walk past the trophy case and see the latest addition, I truly couldn’t be happier knowing I was part of this historic moment.”
Miller finished off by saying, “Once we settled into the finals, the heart was racing, but once we started, it felt like a formality, as we knew deep down we were the best and weren’t going to be denied. The feeling was surreal, the trip home, and to get led into town by the fire dept’s and police. It was an amazing experience to be part of the first state championship in school history.”
Mitch Nichols has been the coach the past four seasons.
