Fantasy Football, an online game where participants draft a team and compete in leagues, has recently grown in popularity among both students and staff at Valley.

Senior Jacob Hurley has been playing since he was 13 with his dad and family friends.

 “We all started doing tournament brackets. We all play together and there’s punishments for the losers,” Hurley said.

Junior Dalton Bednarz also plays Fantasy Football with his family and friends..

 “It has brought us closer together, and it’s something that we bond over.” Bednarz said. “We challenge each other and place bets against each other; it’s really fun.” 

Junior Reese Woomer plays fantasy football with her softball team and coaches. “It builds relationships off the field, which helps with team chemistry,” Woomer said. “It makes us a stronger team on the field.”

Sports and Entertainment Marketing teacher Austin Clark plays with his friends from high school and agrees that Fantasy Football has brought them closer, despite the trash talk. 

“We talk a lot more during Fantasy Football season, good trash talk, good back and forth,” Clark said. “It gives us a common thing to be excited about.”

Even though the football season has started, it’s not too late to join a league.

“I don’t think it’s too late for people to start playing, you can join and make a league whenever you want,” Woomer said. “Even if you don’t know a lot about football, it’s a lot of fun.”

As it continues to grow in popularity, it is clear that Fantasy Football is more than just an online game, but something that is fostering connections, friendships, and friendly competition here at Valley.