Every year, a fantasy football craze takes over the school with many students participating in their own fantasy football leagues. From drafting star players to making important trades, students spend hours maintaining their team in hopes of winning their respective leagues.
Fantasy football is a virtual game where players can become managers of their very own NFL team roster with the goal of outscoring another team every week. Junior Landin Arnold plays in a fantasy football league with his hockey team. He enjoys it because of the competition.
“Fantasy football is fun because it’s a race of whoever doesn’t get last because in last place we have a big challenge on our hockey team for the loser,” Arnold said.
English teacher Kathy Stevens also sees competition with their friends as a motivator to why students engage in fantasy football.
“Especially in my sports literature class, there’s usually a lot of talk about fantasy football at the end of the week or on a Monday, which is when it gets really close in the points,” Stevens said. “Especially if I have two students that are matched up against each other in that fantasy week, then there’s a lot of conversation about who’s going to win.”
In some instances, players on a roster could be injured and need to be replaced for bench players. For junior Tommy Hopkins, the unpredictability of fantasy football is what excites him.
“I feel like anything can really happen in fantasy football,” Hopkins said. “A player who puts up 20 points one week can put up two points the next week.”
In order to play in a fantasy football league, players must participate in a draft where they select and build their team. However, building a good team can be complex and requires different strategies. For Arnold, having a large variety of strong players from each position is the key to success.
“The key to making a good team is to get high point getters,” Arnold said. “Good receivers running backs and then a quarterback that can secure some extra points but also have a good defense [is important] for those extra points that you might need if it’s a close game. I got Saquon Barkley and he went crazy in week one. I love him.”
Stevens sees fantasy football as an opportunity for students to root for individual athletes they may not have rooted for otherwise.
“They like to compete against their friends in different ways, and I think they like to follow players that maybe aren’t on their favorite team and root for individual athletes, opposed to an entire team,” Stevens said.
Stevens also believes that fantasy football is a good way for students to broaden their interest and knowledge on football.
“I think it would be difficult if you have no knowledge of football at all, then it might be kind of challenging,” Stevens said. “But if you have some basic knowledge of football, I think it’s an awesome way to get even more interested in the NFL, and would maybe motivate you to watch it more and give you an opportunity to have something to talk about with your friends.”
Arnold sees a lot to look forward to for this upcoming season with his new-found fantasy team.
“Football is fun because it’s a good time of year,” Arnold said. “Football is fun to watch. Some big hits, some big plays, some close games.”
