Bob Jones High School Captures 13th Straight Rocket League Title at AHSAA 2026 Spring E-sports Championships

April 24, 2026

MONTGOMERY, AL – Any discussion about the top e-sports competitors in Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) history must include Bob Jones High School senior Mac Dunkerley.

Coached by Aubree Bond, Bob Jones secured its 13th consecutive AHSAA Rocket League state crown on Wednesday as the spring competition wrapped up at Huntingdon College. Dunkerley anchored the team, playing a vital role in 11 of those championships, including Wednesday’s decisive 4-0 sweep over Lee-Huntsville.

The Patriots dominated the best-of-seven Rocket League series. They won four straight matches with scores of 3-0, 6-4, 9-1, and 3-1. The championship roster featured Dunkerley alongside captain Rylan Barden and Noah Serafin. Lee-Huntsville, coached by Zach Rominske, countered with captain Matthew Yelder, Hunter Wooten, and Jason Emerson.

The AHSAA 2026 Spring E-sports Championships also showcased top-tier talent in Splatoon 3, Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros., and Madden Football.

Splatoon 3 (Best-of-5): Columbia Sweeps Spain Park 3-0

Columbia High School won three straight matches to defeat Spain Park High School. This victory marks the Eagles’ third consecutive state title in the event. Head coach De’Meiko Merriwether led a roster featuring Brandon Barber, Sean Banks, captain Jaidon Bailey, and Jeremiah Dale. Spain Park, guided by coaches Cameron McKinley and Paula Dill, competed with Ansh Nair, captain Maddox Bowen, Frank Doss, and Colin McCay.

Mario Kart (Best-of-3, 6 races per circuit): Auburn Edges James Clemens 2-1

Auburn High School took home the Mario Kart championship after a tight battle with Madison’s James Clemens High School. The Jets, led by coach Pamela Paquette, claimed the first circuit 123-110. Auburn bounced back. Coached by Jeff Parnell and Tiffany Clark, the Tigers won the final two circuits 118-116 and 126-108 to secure the trophy. Auburn’s winning team included Race Harden, Seoyoon Lee, Callan Rainer, and Sophia Kennedy. James Clemens fielded Gavin Perkins, Will Wade, Sophia Rogers, and Embree Conyers. This win gives Auburn its third Mario Kart state title, adding to victories in the spring of 2025 and fall of 2024.

Super Smash Bros. (Best-of-5): Hoover Defeats Davidson 3-1

Hoover High School beat Mobile’s Davidson High School 3-1 to claim its third Super Smash Bros. state title. The Bucs won the first, second, and fourth games, while the Warriors secured the third. Hoover coach Hunter Curtis directed a team of captain Rehan Jiwani, Kingston Boatman, and Chase Gaston. Davidson, under coach Aimee Tucker, played with captain Aaron Smith, Isaiah McNulty, and Hayden Epler.

Madden Football (Best-of-1): Huffman Outlasts Sheffield 49-42

Carlos Smith Jr. of Birmingham’s Huffman High School scored a clutch touchdown in the final minute to defeat Sheffield’s Maximus Murrah 49-42. Playing as the Philadelphia Eagles, Smith earned Huffman its first e-sports state championship in school history under coach Justin Hackett. Murrah, using the Baltimore Ravens, competed for Sheffield under coaches Brenda Garrett and Kasey Isbell.

AHSAA E-sports History and Past Champions

The AHSAA introduced e-sports in the spring of 2019. The association hosts competitions twice a year, holding events every year except 2020 when the pandemic interrupted all athletic schedules.

Fall 2025