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While esports don’t provide the same physical challenges as more traditional sports, they still offer benefits that make them worth playing.

Nowadays, there seems to be an app website for almost anything that was formerly done in real life, from talking and texting to sketching to photographing. But at a time when it feels as though "real life" is increasingly digital, why should sports be any different?

Across the world, more and more people are becoming involved in esports, which are essentially competitive video games played against other gamers.

While it’s hard to quantify how many people play esports because there are so many different types, the industry as a whole has grown tremendously.

According to games marketing website Newzoo’s report on March 9, 2021, the global esports audience is projected to grow from 465 million people in 2021 to include almost 600 million people by 2024, with the industry projected to be worth more

than $1.6 billion by that time. ness, media, production or coaching.” Although it’s generally accepted that esports are In fact, esports are often more accessible than fun, the criticism of them has long been that they sports like football or basketball because of their don’t offer transferable skills that more traditional digital platform. sports provide, but that’s not entirely true. While “We can use esports and gaming as (a) kind of other sports incorporate more physical challenges vehicle or mechanism to teach things that we’ve than esports, playing online still has its benefits. been teaching for a long time, but we’re just doing “The skills that you get by playing soccer, Rocket it through a lens that makes more sense to this BY WYATT MEYER League, any video game or any sport are things like current generation of people,” Gawrysiak said.Sports Editor communication, teamwork, adaptability, reliability,” While esports might seem to be an abstract concept far away from Athens, the At a time when it feels as reality is that students can play them as a sport right here at Clarke Central High though ‘real life’ is increasingly School, although no one played out for tried out for last year’s team. digital, why should sports be any “Compared to football, basketball and baseball, (esports are) really small. different? I think more people (participating) would just make the games more popular and get more people invested,” Joey Gawrysiak, Director of Esports at Shenandoah recreational esports player Alexander Fishburn, a University and Co-Founder of Esports Development CCHS freshman, said. and Growth Enterprise said. “You can get (those With esports more legitimate than they’ve ever soft skills) by playing and competing in video been before, grab a computer, create an account games, but also you can learn a lot through esports and start playing. There’s never been a better time and gaming that relate to traditional areas of busi- than now. O

Above: GET GAMING: A player carrying a controller across a football field represents esports being an opportunity for those not wanting to play more traditional sports. Esports have grown massively at the collegiate and professional level in recent years, offering players the chance to use their skills for more than entertainment. “(Esports are) a path to college and a path to get a scholarship, to play in college at over 800 different universities and colleges around North America now,” Joey Gawrysiak, Director of Esports at Shenandoah University and Co-Founder of Esports Development and Growth Enterprise said. “(Esports players) can get into broadcasting, content creation and streaming to understand that side of the industry, (which) is going to increase their job opportunities, whether it’s in esports or not.” Illustration by Antonio Starks

Featured: RUNNING BUDDIES: Clarke Central High School cross country runners Beck Wolf-Hardy (left), a junior, and Max Carlson (right), a senior, pose together on the Billy Henderson Stadium track on Sept. 14. As Wolf-Hardy has spent more and more time on running at CCHS, Carlson feels he has grown to be a larger influence on the team. "He is very eccentric, he is also very confident and an overall great person," Carlson said. " He does all the little things that most runners don’t think are important. He does everything perfect and gives 100%." Photo by Lucas Donnelly

One foot at a time

Year after year. Day after day. Stride after stride. CCHS cross country runner Beck Wolf-Hardy keeps on running.

Clarke Central High School varsity cross country runner Beck Wolf-Hardy, a junior, is known by his peers as an encouraging teammate and a confident runner. But he hasn’t always been the star athlete that the CCHS community knows him as.

Wolf-Hardy started his running career when he was 8 years old and immediately developed a fondness for the sport.

“I remember my first season. I was like, ‘Wow, I’m pretty good at this.’ So that (made) me just naturally love it and the feeling that it gives me,” Wolf-Hardy said. “I can’t control a lot of things, but running is one thing that I can control. I can control where I go and how fast I’m running.”

Cross country isn’t just a sport for Wolf-Hardy: it’s a lifestyle and an outlet for expression.

“Every day, (I) just come out (to run),” Wolf-Hardy said. “In the moments that I am locked in, I can really feel how I’m doing with my mind. It’s clear and I’m focused. I can feel the swing of my arms, the pounding of my legs. I feel like I’m flowing along, kind of like a river.”

Wolf-Hardy’s experience with running has allowed him to adopt a philosophical outlook on life.

“I feel like I have the whole world on my shoul-

BY KENDARIUS BUTTS ders. I know I don’t, but I still feel like that, so I Sports Staffer try to focus on one day at a time, one foot in front of the other,” Wolf-Hardy said. “(I) try not to think about the future too much. Just be in the moment.” Wolf-Hardy is known to be an uplifting and motivational teammate by his peers and coaches. “He’s always loud and proud and yelling, ‘Hey, y’all, let’s do those strides.’ That’s Beck. ‘Hey, guys, let’s go to the tennis courts and do abs,’” CCHS head varsity cross country coach Erica Cascio said. “He’s always that guy.” Fellow CCHS varisty cross country runner Max Carlson, a senior, has been running alongside Wolf-Hardy for years and during that time, they have formed a bond. “He’s been great. We help each other out during the workout and we (push) each other and that’s why he is a great teammate,” Carlson said. “His work ethic is very good. He’s always encouraging the rest of us (and) he puts in a ton of work.” Wolf-Hardy hopes to continue spreading his message of consistency and motivation for others; one foot at a time. “Just take a moment, smile. Look outside, stare at the window,” Wolf-Hardy said. “Take a deep breath, focus on being in the moment and just have a great day.” O

Featured: GOING FOR THE GOLD: Clarke Central High School varisty cross country runner Beck Wolf-Hardy runs on the path to Billy Henderson Stadium during the cross country team's practice on Oct. 18. Head varsity cross country coach Erica Cascio has worked with Wolf-Hardy during his time on the cross country team, and credits Wolf-Hardy's success to his character. "I can't even describe it - it's beyond work ethic," Cascio said. "You want him to stop, you ask him to stop and he won't. He has goals in mind, he's very goal-oriented and he's always working towards his goal without stopping." Photo by Lucas Donnelly

Featured: FAMILY MEMORIES: Clarke Central High School quarterback Lucian Anderson III, a senior, poses with his father, assistant varsity football coach Lucian Anderson Jr. in Billy Henderson Stadium on Oct. 6. Anderson III began playing football in the third grade and since the start of his high school career, has been coached by his father. "I feel like the biggest lesson (I’ve learned from my dad) is really just to be yourself and to give everything that you have into what you want,” Anderson III said. “If (I) really believe that (I) can do it, (I) can.” Photo by Lucas Donnelly

Football’s in the family

CCHS quarterback Lucian Anderson III’s football journey has always been intertwined with his father, assistant varsity football coach Lucian Anderson Jr.

STORY AND LAYOUT BY WYATT MEYER Sports Editor

Featured: BE THE BEST: Clarke Central High School quarterback Lucian Anderson III, a senior, stands with his father, assistant varsity football coach Lucian Anderson Jr., during the Gladiators’ football practice on Sept. 26. Anderson III has been the CCHS starting quarterback for almost two years, but with college on the horizon, Anderson Jr. has not changed his expectations of his son. “The goal is the same that we’ve had for him since the first day of school. I’m talking about kindergarten, preschool, whatever it was, we only want him to do his very best in whatever he chooses to do,” Anderson Jr. said. “If he does that, then he’s gonna be fine (and) we’re gonna be proud of him.” Photo by Lucas Donnelly

As Clarke Central High School quarterback Lucian Anderson III, a senior, looks back on his football career, there’s been one person who’s been with him the whole

time: his father.

Anderson III started playing football as a third grader in 2013, playing recreationally on the Classic City Cowboys in the Northeast Georgia Youth Football League.

However, assistant varsity football coach Lucian Anderson Jr. didn’t initially want his son to play football.

“I wanted him to want to play, (to) show me that he wanted to play for himself and work at it,” Anderson Jr. said. “(I told him), ‘Show me (football) is something that you want to do, and then you (can) go out there.’”

Anderson III’s football journey wasn’t linear, as he took a couple of years away from the game before returning to it in his eighth-grade year. As soon as his son decided to come back to football, Anderson Jr. knew he was serious about the game.

“I would always tell him if he does his part, then we’ll do our part. It starts with him,” Anderson Jr. said. “Seeing him practice with the school and then go and take away his free time to go get extra training (and) extra practicing in, says that, ‘Okay, if you’re willing to do that, then we’re willing to take you wherever you want to go.’” During this time, Anderson III was attending school at Prince Avenue Christian School, but he made the switch to CCHS before his sophomore year in high

school to further his footballing development.

“I wanted to play football on one of the highest levels that you can play on,” Anderson III said. “I wanted to play against big-time schools

“I wanted to play against big-time schools and (play) big-time games and just get my name out there as best I could. I felt like Clarke Central was the place for me to do that.” -- Lucian Anderson III, CCHS quarterback and senior

Above: CURRY’S COACH: Clarke Central High School assistant varsity football coach Lucian Anderson Jr. celebrates with members of the varsity football team during the Gladiators’ 40-0 win over Cedar Shoals High School in the Classic City Championship on Aug. 18. CCHS middle linebacker and running back Kendrick Curry, a junior, has credited Anderson Jr. with developing his offensive game. “He has improved my stamina while (I’m) in the game to run the ball and (improved) my footwork to make cuts and get through holes,” Curry said. “He has (had a big impact) and I think everyone can vouch for that.” Photo by Lucas Donnelly

and (play) big-time games and just get my name out there as best as I could. I felt like Clarke Central was the place for me to do that.”

Anderson III’s switch to CCHS coincided with Anderson Jr. accepting an offensive assistant position on the Gladiators’ coaching staff. CCHS head varsity football coach David Perno is glad the pair made the switch.

“The whole mentality of (our program) and the whole perception of the program, Lucian (Anderson III) and his father have had a tremendous influence on changing that and creating the type of environment and culture that we’re looking for,” Perno said.

Further to that point, CCHS middle linebacker and running back Kendrick

Curry, a junior, credits Anderson Jr. as encouraging Curry to continue playing running back after he had focused more on his defensive responsibilities as an underclassman. “(Anderson Jr.) has “Lucian (Anderson III) and his father have had a improved my stamina while (I’m) staying in the game to tremendous influence on changing that and creating the run the ball and (improved) my footwork to make cuts type of environment and culture that we’re looking for.” and get through holes,” Curry said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s in practice or a game, -- LuciAN ANDERSON JR., he always wants 100%.” As both Andersons have CCHS assistant varsity football coach sacrificed more and more to be a part of the varsity football team, the two still try to find time to be a family outside of football. “(My dad) talks about football a lot, but he also talks to me just in general a lot too, and I really appreciate that,” Anderson III said.“But, once you love

something like football so much, it’s hard to stay away from it.”

After having worked with the duo for three years, Perno sees similarities between the two that he believes will serve Anderson III well at the next level.

“They’re both very structured and very disciplined in the way they go about their work, they don’t take anything for granted and (are) very thorough in their details,” Perno said. “They have been two shining lights in our program for the last three years.”

Despite the similarities between them, Anderson Jr. wants his son to go above and beyond his achievements as a former University of Georgia wide receiver.

“I always tell him, ‘Dude, to be good, you have to be better than me because I’m good,’” Anderson Jr. said. “(He has) the opportunity to be better than I could ever be as a man.”

Anderson III’s ability to separate his work from his family is what Anderson Jr. thinks will enable his son to succeed at the next level.

“(Coaches will) ask me, ‘Well, is he a workaholic when it comes to football? Does he just put everything into it? Does he live and die (for) the game?’” Anderson Jr. said. “What I tell them is ‘What I see that’s gonna make Lucian great, which gives him the opportunity to be such a really, really good football player, is (that) he puts all the time in it when it’s time to put all that time in, but he knows how to shut it down and get away from it.’”

As the Gladiators chase down a fourth consecutive Region 8-AAAAA title,

Curry believes that Anderson III’s performances will be key to their chances. “Lucian plays a big role on our team and is doing a great job at the quarterback spot, especially when he runs,” Curry said. “(I) hope he plays great and (is) able to get a state championship ring at the “‘We just try to keep teaching him as long as he’s in our end of the season.” Beyond high school, house, try to just be in today, be in the moment. (Don’t) Anderson III hopes to continue his football journey in look so forward to college, because then you’re gonna college, but until that time comes, he is focused on his miss out on high school.” final season in Athens. -- Lucian Anderson JR., “We haven’t really had a checklist of things we want assistant varsity football coach to try to get done before he goes to college, we just know that’s a part of his development,” Anderson Jr. said. “We just try to keep teaching him as long as he’s in our house, try to just be in today, be in the moment. (Don’t) look so forward to college because then you’re gonna miss out on high school.” As the sun sets on Anderson III’s high school career, both Andersons will look to make their final CCHS season together a special one. But, no matter if he’s in high school, college or beyond, Anderson III knows that he will have his family’s support to guide him. “I feel like the biggest lesson (I’ve learned from my dad) is really just to be yourself and to give everything that you have into what you want,” Anderson III said. “If (I) really believe that (I) can do it, (I) can.” O

Below: FINDING FOOTBALL: Clarke Central High School quarterback Lucian Anderson III, a senior, evades a Cedar Shoals High School defender during the Gladiators’ 40-0 win against their crosstown rivals. Anderson III didn’t always play football, only becoming fully committed to the sport in his eighth-grade year at Prince Avenue Christian School before moving to CCHS for his sophomore year in high school. “When I was playing (junior varisty) and I saw love and family with the high school team, I knew that it was going to be even better at the next level,” Anderson III said. “I just knew I really wanted to be on a team at the next level.” Photo by Lucas Donnelly

St St Play s Play s ODYSSEY Star Players are selected based on their academic standing and commitment to teammates, their sports program and Clarke Central High School. Star Players are written for each issue by the Sports Staff based on interviews with players and coaches.

ODYSSEY Star Players VARSITY VOLLEYBALL ASHLEY ELIZALDE

Photo by Lucas Donnelly

KALEB SEWELL

Grade: 10 GPA: 4.0 Years of experience: 1 Game day ritual: I just listen to music and I pay attention to what the coaches tell me because they help you. During warm-ups, I just make sure I’m doing my best at full speed to break a sweat. Favorite memory: (The) Loganville game (this year is my favorite) because it was my first ever (interception) playing football in a real game and I liked (the 2022) spring (practice) because that was the first time I was actually in pads. In spring, we were working out with varsity and (junior varsity) people combined, they weren’t split up already. Hearing what all the varsity coaches and players said and did also helped a lot. Role Model: I’d like to work as hard as my mom. My mom works hard and that’s pretty inspirational. What coaches say: (Sewell) is a hard-working, reliable young man who always comes to practice and games with a positive attitude. He practices hard, he is coachable, he works in the classroom and he has the character that we are looking for from our student-athletes.

-- Stefan Smith, CCHS head JV football coach

Grade: 12 GPA: 4.12 Years of experience: 6 Game day ritual: I usually just listen to music or watch an old college game on YouTube to make me strive towards something. Favorite memory: All the bus rides back home (from volleyball games) are super fun. Last year, we’d usually stop somewhere to get food and energy. Even after a loss, (it) was great to be in. I don’t think I’d be friends with most of the girls on the team if it wasn’t for our time together. Role Model: (CCHS fine arts department teacher Dr. Eunice Kang) has been my orchestra teacher for six years now. I don’t think I’ve ever met someone (that said) they don’t love her. She is always so positive and passionate about her job. I wish to be as impactful as she is one day. I’ve seen her every school day for four years now, either in person or (on) a computer screen, and she’s definitely the one (person) I’ll miss after graduating. What coaches say: Ashley is the only starter returning this season. She isn’t vocal, but her actions display true leadership. Ms. Elizalde is typically the first to practice, giving constant feedback and praise to her passing partner. -- Stacey Scott, CCHS head varsity volleyball coach

Photo by Lucas Donnelly

ODYSSEY Star Players JV FOOTBALL

Featured: MAN IN THE MIDDLE: Georgia High School Association umpire Wayne Battey poses on the Clarke Central High School softball field on Sept. 23. Battery has been an umpire for 27 years, but never lost his passion for the game. “I was 39 when I started and I wish I started at 19,” Battey said. “There’s always something that I’ve never seen before. Now, I’ve seen a lot, but there’s always something like, ‘Okay, that’s a first.’ We always say, ‘Be prepared for the unexpected.’” Photo by Aza Khan

5things to know about about Umpiring

1. Shun the spotlight

Officials are very much a part of the game just like fans and players, but what you understand (is that) the game is not about you. You’re there to manage the game and make sure that the game is administered fairly with the rules associated with that game.

2. Live In the moment

We have bad games, but (we) forget about it. It’s just like if I miss a pitch, I think, ‘Dang, I missed that pitch.’ Well, you go into (the) next pitch, ain’t no need to worry about that now, that’s done, you go on to the next pitch. After (one) play, you got to go onto the next play. (If) you dwell too long on things that now don’t matter because they’re done, that’s where you can make mistakes. 3. Lock In

The hardest part is just mentally being focused (on) every pitch, every play. That can get hard sometimes because the minute you don’t and something happens, then you’re going, ‘Okay, now what I do?’ Ninety percent of the game is going to take care of itself, it’s that 10%, whatever it may be, that’s like, ‘Okay, what happened?’

4. Presentation Matters

Keeping your uniform presentable, pants pressed, just carrying a spray bottle full of a little soap and water and a used towel to wipe the dirt off (your) shoes just so you look like an umpire (is important). Looking like an umpire or any official, that’s half the battle. If you look like you know what you’re doing, that will say something.

5. all for the call

Umpires do it because they love the game and we put in a lot of effort and preparation to basically get it right. We always say, ‘It can look ugly, you might have been out of position, but did you get it right?’