At Cumberland County High School, competition does not always unfold under stadium lights or inside a packed gym. Sometimes, it happens on a screen, with headsets on, controllers in hand, and strategy unfolding in real time. For junior Aden Dale, that arena is just as intense.
“Gaming shaped me [in] realizing how fun it is to play with other players,” Dale said. “It’s a challenge to test my skills and see how I can improve in ways and [have sportsmanship] with others.”
Dale has been gaming for nearly a decade. Dale said his introduction came early, battling through missions in Call of Duty: Black Ops and diving into live multiplayer worlds in World of Warcraft. Dale said he credits his father with first placing the controller in his hands.
“He started showing me other [controls] and how to do the basic controls,” Dale said. “Then I got addicted to those controls and then I started helping others play those games because I was once where I didn’t know anything.”
That early experience mirrors the same growth arc found in traditional athletics. Dale said he believes e-sports shares similar traits with football, basketball or baseball: teamwork, composure and sportsmanship. So when Cumberland County officially introduced e-sports to its fall schedule last school year, Dale did not hesitate.
“I was pretty excited when they first started introducing E-sports,” Dale said. “I was always watching them online during the competitions and I thought that was really cool.”
The Jets’ e-sports program continues to build momentum after its launch, joining a growing list of Tennessee schools embracing competitive gaming. Like other high school programs across the state, Cumberland County competes in popular titles that demand strategy, communication and fast decision-making.
Dale now represents the Jets across multiple games, including Super Smash Bros., Valorant, Fortnite, Overwatch and Marvel Rivals. Dale said the variety keeps practices fresh and pushes players to adapt to different styles, from one-on-one fighting mechanics to full-team tactical shooters.
The team streams its matches live on YouTube and Discord, giving classmates, family members and community supporters a front-row seat to the action. In a county where Friday night lights have long defined school pride, e-sports is carving out its own loyal following. And as the season unfolds, Dale said his confidence is building.
“I just think we’re going to have a good season on the E-sports team,” Dale said. “I believe we can make it to the playoffs.”
The Upper Cumberland E-Sports Playoffs are currently scheduled for April 2026.