The Blinn College esports Call of Duty team fell short of a historic national championship repeat Tuesday, as the Buccaneers fell to Central Community College in the finals of the NJCAA Esports Call of Duty National Tournament.
Blinn was defeated 3-1 in the best-of-five series, ending its hopes of back-to-back national titles. The Bucs won the national championship during the 2023 fall semester.
The two squads faced off in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III.
Competing for the Bucs were Michael Allen, Logan Rivera, Tanner Gore, and Isaias Nieto.
In the opening Hardpoint round, which requires each team to maintain control of rotating bases to score points until the 250-point threshold is reached, Central prevailed for an early series edge. In round two, played under Search and Destroy rules, the Bucs bounced back to even the series.
n game three the teams battled under Control rules, which requires the teams to attempt to defend and/or attack a control point on the map. Central earned the victory before claiming the championship in the Hardpoint fourth round.
“While it was not the outcome we hoped or planned for, I could not be prouder of how this team worked throughout the semester,” said Blinn assistant coach and Call of Duty manager Ryan Lucich. “I don’t think I would have believed it if somebody told me we would be back in the finals at the start of the semester. That really is a testament to my players and how much work they put into improving individually and as a team. Through every rough patch, whether it was roster changes, technical difficulties, or rulings not going our way, they continued to push forward to improve and get to where they are now. These are traits I know they will carry with them in any endeavor they decide to pursue.”
The Blinn esports program will vie for another national championship when the Buccaneer Overwatch team battles Bryant & Stratton College for the NJCAA Esports crown at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24. The public is invited to attend the match, which will take place inside the Blinn-Brenham Esports Arena at the Mill Creek Hall residence Hall in Brenham, Texas. Admission is free.
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 47 NJCAA national championships since 1987.
