Warriors 7-on-7 Standouts

The Warriors are one of the state’s top traveling 7-on-7 programs that has a roster full of talented athletes, some of whom are the top players among their class. The program has players ranging from incoming eighth graders up to current high school seniors. They held their practice on Sunday at the Pat Bowlen Fieldhouse, the training facility for the Denver Broncos. In addition to the many well-known players who were in attendance, there was also a plethora of athletes who are making their way onto the radar. This article will be taking a look at 25 players who stood out during Sunday’s practice.   <img class=" wp-image-289564 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/11D5E87B-A170-4175-939A-3C5782493ECA.jpeg" alt="" width="215" height="143" />Linebackers The Warriors have an extremely powerful LB core that is comprised of some of the best 2023 athletes in the state. Loveland’s [player_tooltip player_id="150074" first="Hudson" last="Voggesser"] holds the number one-ranked DB spot because of his elite hybrid SS/OLB style of play. Mullen’s [player_tooltip player_id="150075" first="Ishmael" last="Aceves Jr"] is the third-ranked LB, while Fairview’s [player_tooltip player_id="150076" first="Zach" last="Lewis"] holds the fifth-ranked LB spot in the 2023 class. Cherry Creek’s [player_tooltip player_id="43677" first="Marte" last="Russell"] (13th) and Erie’s [player_tooltip player_id="247209" first="Elijah" last="Toliver"] (21st) are two more ranked backers from the 2023 class who contribute to the talented LB core. Arvada West’s [player_tooltip player_id="289496" first="Charlie" last="Smith"] is an outstanding Warriors LB radar pop-up who will be entering his senior season.   [caption id="attachment_289565" align="alignright" width="213"]<img class="wp-image-289565 " src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/741A1FC5-6966-4D8B-9BB0-19626CE6E38A.jpeg" alt="" width="213" height="142" /> From left to right: [player_tooltip player_id="218213" first="Ethan" last="Cook"], [player_tooltip player_id="143622" first="Blake" last="Barnett"], [player_tooltip player_id="289497" first="Nate" last="Schmidt"], & [player_tooltip player_id="251263" first="Rylan" last="Cooney"][/caption]Quarterbacks The team has a plethora of extremely talented gunslingers among its roster, including two ranked QB’s from the 2023 class. Arvada West’s [player_tooltip player_id="218213" first="Ethan" last="Cook"] (12th) and [player_tooltip player_id="22746" first="Cole" last="Kerr"] (22nd) from Wiggins are two of the incoming senior QB’s on the team. Castle View’s [player_tooltip player_id="289497" first="Nate" last="Schmidt"] is another in-coming senior on the roster. Erie’s 2024 dual-threat phenom [player_tooltip player_id="143622" first="Blake" last="Barnett"] and fellow 2024 QB [player_tooltip player_id="251263" first="Rylan" last="Cooney"] of Holy Family were also showcasing their talents during Sunday’s practice, adding serious strength to this loaded program.   [caption id="attachment_289569" align="alignright" width="212"]<img class="wp-image-289569 " src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/CC66B464-9668-475E-AF1B-8D19A3999A23.jpeg" alt="" width="212" height="141" /> Cai’Reis Curby[/caption] Athletes Many of the players take reps on both sides of the ball, but there were two athletes who stood out from every position they filled. Aurora Central’s [player_tooltip player_id="22754" first="CaiReis" last="Curby"] is the sixth-ranked RB in the 2023 class, but can effortlessly fill the role of WR and DB. Chatfield’s [player_tooltip player_id="251310" first="Brock" last="Narva"] is an outstanding 2025 RB, DB, and WR who finished his freshman season as a 4A state champion.   Wide Receivers [caption id="attachment_289570" align="alignright" width="218"]<img class="wp-image-289570 " src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/10325C31-7B44-4B05-977B-E7C3A41396E9.jpeg" alt="" width="218" height="145" /> [player_tooltip player_id="62214" first="Mac" last="Busteed"][/caption]Two of the 2023 WR’s are top-ten players in the state. Fossil Ridge’s [player_tooltip player_id="62214" first="Mac" last="Busteed"] (4th) and [player_tooltip player_id="62229" first="Caden" last="Lettis"] (7th) of Erie are two of the many phenomenal receivers on the Warriors squad. Cherokee Trail’s [player_tooltip player_id="289488" first="Noah" last="Greer"] and Castle View’s [player_tooltip player_id="289489" first="Ace" last="Malone"] are two other 2023 WR’s who popped up on the radar by standing out during Sunday’s practice. 2024 Fairview receiver duo [player_tooltip player_id="143626" first="Naz" last="Valadez-Benavente"] and [player_tooltip player_id="146053" first="Ben" last="Holly"] add elusive speed and shifty route running to a stacked core of receivers.   [caption id="attachment_289571" align="alignright" width="212"]<img class="wp-image-289571" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/1DD6B28D-1BF9-4539-B146-0D5034E18027.jpeg" alt="" width="212" height="141" /> [player_tooltip player_id="289493" first="Jaylon" last="Moore"][/caption]Defensive Backs The DB’s at Sunday’s practice are players who deserve their time to shine under the spotlight, making this position one with the most radar pop-ups. Rangeview’s Michael Bufmack (2022) and [player_tooltip player_id="289491" first="Nasir" last="Simmons"] (2023) were flying around the field and making plays as corners and safeties. Cherry Creek’s [player_tooltip player_id="289492" first="Braylen" last="Warren"] (2023) is a versatile DB who was making plays from the safety position. Cherokee Trail’s [player_tooltip player_id="289493" first="Jaylon" last="Moore"] (2023) is a corner who immediately stood out because of his great height and solid technique. Fairview’s [player_tooltip player_id="251227" first="Diego" last="Valdiviezo"] is another 2024 watchlist player who showed real promise during Sunday’s practice.   [caption id="attachment_289575" align="alignright" width="219"]<img class="wp-image-289575 " src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/02/7B0D8846-F3C7-434E-8553-D85D15E4F2CA.jpeg" alt="" width="219" height="146" /> [player_tooltip player_id="283697" first="Camden" last="Jensen"][/caption]Incoming Freshman Like most 7-on-7 programs, the Warriors have a young team that is comprised of players who will be entering their freshman and eighth-grade years in the fall. There were two players from the class of 2026 who instantly stood out during the practice. Blitz McCarty is a young QB with a strong arm and smooth release who will be attending Mullen next year. Tight end [player_tooltip player_id="283697" first="Camden" last="Jensen"] is an incoming freshman who instantly stands out due to his 6-foot-6, 220lbs frame alone. He is a big target who has strong hands, making him a player to keep an eye out for going into the fall season.