Warriors 7-on-7 Standouts
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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…
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Continue ReadingThe 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.
Linebackers
The Warriors have an extremely powerful LB core that is comprised of some of the best 2023 athletes in the state. Loveland’s Hudson Voggesser Hudson Voggesser 6'2" | 205 lbs | LB Loveland | 2023 State CO holds the number one-ranked DB spot because of his elite hybrid SS/OLB style of play. Mullen’s Ishmael Aceves Jr Ishmael Aceves Jr 6'2" | 205 lbs | LB Mullen | 2023 State CO is the third-ranked LB, while Fairview’s Zach Lewis Zach Lewis 6'2" | 220 lbs | LB Fairview | 2023 State CO holds the fifth-ranked LB spot in the 2023 class.
Cherry Creek’s Marte Russell Marte Russell 6'0" | 185 lbs | LB Cherry Creek | 2023 State CO (13th) and Erie’s Elijah Toliver Elijah Toliver LB Erie | 2023 State CO (21st) are two more ranked backers from the 2023 class who contribute to the talented LB core. Arvada West’s Charlie Smith Charlie Smith LB Arvada West | 2023 State CO is an outstanding Warriors LB radar pop-up who will be entering his senior season.
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 Ethan Cook Ethan Cook 6'3" | 175 lbs | QB Arvada West | 2023 State CO (12th) and Cole Kerr Cole Kerr QB Wiggins | 2023 State CO (22nd) from Wiggins are two of the incoming senior QB’s on the team. Castle View’s Nate Schmidt Nate Schmidt QB Castle View | 2023 State CO is another in-coming senior on the roster.
Erie’s 2024 dual-threat phenom Blake Barnett Blake Barnett 6'2" | 210 lbs | QB Erie | 2024 State CO and fellow 2024 QB Rylan Cooney Rylan Cooney 5'8" | QB Holy Family | 2024 State CO of Holy Family were also showcasing their talents during Sunday’s practice, adding serious strength to this loaded program.
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 CaiReis Curby CaiReis Curby ATH Aurora Central | 2023 State CO is the sixth-ranked RB in the 2023 class, but can effortlessly fill the role of WR and DB. Chatfield’s Brock Narva Brock Narva 5'11" | 180 lbs | ATH Chatfield | 2025 State CO is an outstanding 2025 RB, DB, and WR who finished his freshman season as a 4A state champion.
Wide Receivers
Two of the 2023 WR’s are top-ten players in the state. Fossil Ridge’s Mac Busteed Mac Busteed 6'5" | 200 lbs | WR Fossil Ridge | 2023 State CO (4th) and Caden Lettis Caden Lettis 6'2" | 175 lbs | WR Erie | 2023 State CO (7th) of Erie are two of the many phenomenal receivers on the Warriors squad. Cherokee Trail’s Noah Greer Noah Greer 6'0" | 175 lbs | WR Cherokee Trail | 2023 State CO and Castle View’s Ace Malone Ace Malone 6'3" | 190 lbs | WR Castle View | 2023 State CO are two other 2023 WR’s who popped up on the radar by standing out during Sunday’s practice.
2024 Fairview receiver duo Naz Benavente Naz Benavente 5'10" | 175 lbs | ATH Fairview | 2024 State CO and Ben Holly Ben Holly WR Fairview | 2024 State CO add elusive speed and shifty route running to a stacked core of receivers.
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 Nasir Simmons Nasir Simmons 5'7" | 145 lbs | DB Rangeview Highschool | 2023 State CO (2023) were flying around the field and making plays as corners and safeties. Cherry Creek’s Braylen Warren Braylen Warren 6'2" | 175 lbs | DB Cherry Creek | 2023 State CO (2023) is a versatile DB who was making plays from the safety position.
Cherokee Trail’s Jaylon Moore Jaylon Moore 6'1" | 160 lbs | DB Cherokee Trail | 2023 State CO (2023) is a corner who immediately stood out because of his great height and solid technique. Fairview’s Diego Valdiviezo Diego Valdiviezo 5'11" | 180 lbs | DB Fairview | 2024 State CO is another 2024 watchlist player who showed real promise during Sunday’s practice.
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 Camden Jensen Camden Jensen 6'7" | 235 lbs | TE Heritage | 2026 CO 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.