INDIANAPOLIS — The Horizon Hawks were one of 32 teams nationwide to earn a trip to Indianapolis for the 2012 High School Player Development 7-on-7 National Tournament hosted by the NFL and National Guard. Each NFL market was represented, and the Horizon Hawks earned their trip by winning the 2012 Broncos High School 7-on-7 regional tournament in June.
Horizon’s 7-on-7 journey started at All City Stadium at Denver South High School in the second annual Broncos High School 7-on-7 Tournament. The Hawks went 3-0 in pool play and earned a spot in championship Saturday held at the Broncos Training Facility on June 23. Horizon went 4-0 at Dove Valley defeating Eaglecrest, Montbello, Fairview and then Fossil Ridge in the tournament final.
The Hawks, led by Head Coach Frank Ybarra and Offensive Coordinator Gregg Sumey, arrived in Indianapolis on Thursday, July 12 for orientation where each player received cleats, Broncos-branded home and away jerseys, shorts, sweatshirts and a backpack – all provided by NIKE.
“We weren’t sure what to expect going into the tournament but I expected us to be competitive in every game we played,” Ybarra said. “I wanted to show all the teams from around the country that we belonged.”
Play began on Friday, July 13 at the Colts’ Training Facility where each team played five games of pool play. The Hawks were matched up against the AFC West and NFC West and opened up against the Kansas City Chiefs. In a tight game throughout, the Hawks defense landed a second-half interception to help propel them to an opening game victory over Kansas City, 31-28.
The Hawks continued to build momentum throughout the morning by defeating San Diego 34-24 and Oakland 31-14. 3-0 against the AFC West, Horizon’s next two opponents would come from the NFC West. The Hawks jumped all over Seattle winning 34-0, but was clipped by Arizona in the final seconds 27-24 to conclude day one.
Later that evening, all 32 teams took a tour of Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts, where players got to see the home team’s locker room and take a walk on the playing surface. Players also had the chance to visit the NCAA Hall of Champions located in downtown Indianapolis.
The second day of play included the final two games of pool play followed by a single-elimination tournament. The Hawks were edged out by St. Louis on a last-second touchdown to start the day but quickly bounced back against San Francisco winning 28-24.
5-2 in pool play, Horizon would be seeded number one in the AFC West and would have to win two more games within the division to make the final eight. The Hawks opened elimination play against San Diego where they would get a last-second interception in the end zone to secure the win over the Chargers. The Raiders also advanced to play Horizon in the round of 16, but the Hawks controlled the game from the start and defeated Oakland 28-10.
In the round of eight, Horizon would be matched up against the AFC North winner, Cincinnati. The Hawks jumped out to an early 17-7 lead but a successful Hail Mary pass before the half cut the lead to 17-14. The Hawks battled in the second half but would fall to the Bengals 28-24.
“We performed better than I expected when it was all said and done,” Ybarra said. “Our players competed against some talented teams and our kids showed up and did their jobs.”
Quarterback Auston Stackhouse led the Hawks offense and kept opposing defensives off balance with his strong arm and accuracy. Wide receivers Dustin Rivas, Steve Sumey, Greg Gonzales and Jordan Gravage were popular targets throughout the tournament each making multiple touchdown catches in the high scoring offensive showcase.
Defensive backs Chad Reffel, Jordan Iacovetta and Dante Chand helped anchor the Hawks defensive backfield with Brandon Halperin, Gunnar Campbell, Chad David and Chance Callahan patrolling the middle of the field at the linebacker positions.
Throughout the tournament, the Hawks would win seven of ten games and went 5-0 within the AFC West division. Horizon was one of four actual high school teams to make the final eight, the other four teams being made up of all stars from their respective areas.
“This was a great experience for our team and hopefully our players understand the level of competition that exists throughout the country,” Ybarra said. “The 12 kids who were here with us this weekend can now take this experience back to help lead the 50 other players on our roster into the upcoming season.”
Congratulations to Horizon High School for a great showing at the 2012 HSPD 7-on-7 National Tournament. They represented their high school, Colorado and the Denver Broncos with class, heart and an outstanding competitive spirit. Best of luck in 2012.
Click here to view a photo gallery of the Hawks’ games in Indianapolis.
Tags: 7-on-7 Tournament
Congratulations Hawks…way to represent. Sounded like you guys had a lot of fun out there. I hope the experience was something you’ll take with you and share all your lives. I wish you much success in the coming season and throughout your playing years.
Go Broncos!
What a cool experience for them! Congrats Hawks!!
Nicely done Hawks!! Hope that continues into the regular season for you guys.
Glad to see you made back..Cat.
I was looking through some of the news this article caught my eye. This is why im glad that there are people who have concealed weapon permits. First, I doubt these guys try and rob any place again. Second, i bet the people in the store are glad that this guy had a gun and that they were defended against these thugs. No better defense than an all out offensive attack. lol
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/07/18/florida-customer-shoots-suspects-during-internet-cafe-robbery/
Horse, I agree 100%. I would be forever grateful to someone who protected me from a robbery because he/she had a gun. It’s all about civic responsibility and comment sense.
Common sense.
Well, it sure sounds like Dume might get lucky with the conflicting information. If they can not prove anything then maybe he gets minimum suspension. I’m still not very happy that this even took place at all.
Clady is an important part of the team this year and he is realizing that PFM’s blind side has some value. I sure hope they settle this quickly.
Lets just get on with the season already!!!!! Let them horses run!!!!!!!
Horse, I still like the Broncos approach. Clady is good, but he his overall production has gone down (even if you leave the Tebow experiment out of the convo). I’m okay with them having him play this year before giving him a big contract. Just MO though. They aren’t letting him get away, that’d be stupid, but they don’t have to give in to his demands at the moment.
horsepower,I live in TN and have an open carry permit,I can carry anywhere it is not posted that says I can’t,I can carry in Walmart,grocery stores,etc…..
I think it is a good law,because if you do not have a very clean record,you can’t get one!
But I choose not to carry openly in Walmart or any big retail stores,maybe small ones,just to keep the panic level down,lol.
I would risk my life to save an innocent victim,hopefully I will never have to use it tho!
SIGN CLADY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ILMSDB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ALL HAIL ‘THE NECK’!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Whats up tlc…enjoy Tennessee?
I think Clady will return to form this year,he is the best LT in the game when ha is on.imo.
Cat: I agree that Clady needs to prove he is still a top Left Tackle to get the big money. He has never been the same after his injury a few years back. With that said he still is better than most left tackles at 80 percent. I say try and sign him now with only so many millions and require the remainder big money to be in incentive clauses. His contract ends this year he should be fired up to have a big year…the fact that he is trying to get one early concerns me.
BLB: I salute you Bronco Bro!!! It is a big decision to carry that kind of responsibility around town. I’m personally thinking of doing the same.
Yeah, the Doom report is all over the map with many different storys. The media usually blows it up than what the truth is. It can go either way though.
At any rate, Dooms looking at a suspension most likely. Roger Goodell has 18 arrests to look at this year so far, not a good thing at all. Dooms suspension might be in 2013 due to the legal process of it all.
Hey Gang!
So here it is……….something to get all my fellow bloggers through the last week of off-season before training camp…..
Strong is The Neck! With special thanks to my wife for supplying back-up vocals.
Hope I did it justice OC!!!!
ENJOY EVERYONE!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1Bv9UwArOU&feature=plcp
Nice KK.
Kod, that ROCKS!!!!!!!!!! I will share it with twitter verse. You are incredibly talented!
Guys don’t get me wrong, I want us to sign Clady today and I have no doubt Elway will get it done, but I like that they’re being a bit hard nosed about it!
Strand… Waiting on that fingerprinting from the gun before they move forward. Hopefully his fingerprints aren’t on that gun.
I love TN Bud!! I will post a picture of The sunset when I can make it work!! LOL I forgot how to do it.
Watch this… And don’t kill me for posting it. http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/09000d5d82aa6c9b/32-in-32-San-Diego-Chargers?campaign=Twitter_nfln_videos
Great Job on the song KK. That turned out really well. Has any one heard if Peyton likes the nickname? I hope we get to camp real soon before our whole team is behind bars. I think the front office needs to have a heart to heart with the boys and let them know this type of behavior is not acceptable.JMHO
when is Clady’s rookie contract up?
After this season Nalen.
Lets hope so Cat.
It leaves a bad taste in my mouth with the idea of Dooms name being stained in any way. It bothers me because Doom is known for being a cool dude, and a great football player.
Nalen, the Denver Post mentioned this morning that if Clady doesn`t extend his contract this year, then the Broncos will most likely place the franchize tag on him. So either way no concerns in the near future as far as losing Clady to FA. I think we`ll get him signed, if not this year, then next year it`ll happen.
Broncos sunset in Tennessee: https://twitter.com/tlcat06/status/225771707942723585
Well, it’s officially here………………….ONE WEEK til training camp opens for our team! Man, it seems like it’s taking forever to get here.
Still no signings for Brock or Hillman………..I wonder where they’re at with those.
I was thinking of the possibility of the broncos going after benson………..but after doing a little reading on him, I wouldn’t touch him with a ten foot pole. He’s bad news and not worth the headaches he’ll bring off the field……….regardless of his ability to post a 1000 yard season. The dude has some serious anger issues.
You all think Goodell will wait until after all the legal procedure is complete to issue suspension, or will it happen this year?
Glad you like the song…………it was fun to do. My wife gave me recording equipment for my computer for Christmas 2010 and I’m only getting around to using and learning about it now. I still have so much more to learn to get it all right……but the process of learning and being creative at the same time is awesome! I just need some more equipment like a better mic, stand, keyboard, and monitor speakers.
GO BRONCOS!
STRONG IS THE NECK!
Great song kod…..great skill bro….I freaking loved it!
Great pic tlc!
ALL HAIL THE NECK!!!!!!!!!!!!
KILLER! That was awesome!!! Now, are those OC’s lyrics or Turtle’s? Regardless, you and your wife did a great job! Loved it!
Those were OC’s lyrics………..he’s the resident writer. lol
Stoked you liked it BLB and Tide! I do it for all you guys………..and my insane love of my Broncos! lol
What’s next? Metal? Hard Rock? LMAO
FTR Productions is in full effect!
I am waiting for OC to make my Tap your clears three times song! LOL
Three weeks from today Jay vs. Peyton. Is it bad that I am so excited about a preseason game???? LOL
I don’t think QB by committee in NY is going to work. Teams are going to figure it out.
KK.
FTR productions is very happy. OC writes em you produce em and sing em. OUT STANDING youg man. I am sending the link out to all I know. The yeeehaaaw at the end was great finish. Thank you for taking the Time. Someone should get this to Payton himself through twitter or the Broncos media people.
ALL HAIL THE NECK
FTR
KK
If your up to it–we have a rap–we have country western— I say a little head banging Metal or Classic Rock. You pick and let it rip. Release date could be opening Day!! lol
ILMSDB
FTR
Morning Bronco Country!!!
KK: Nice job Kod and OC!! Maybe we could all help pitch in towards the new equipment. I’m in.
I think FTR productions needs to put out a CD on a variety of Pump you up before the game songs.
Just read article in the Denver Post that Klis has the Broncos going 9-7 this year. Hmmm…Broncos have Toughest schedule probably in NFL history…the AFC west will most likely be one of the toughest divisions in the NFL….Naaaaahh!
WE GOT PFM……GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
lol @ FTR…………I’ll let OC take the lead and write something up and then I’ll try and do my thing. A hard rock tune would be cool……..and get the blood pumping for opening day!
I think it would be absolutely hilarious if PM actually heard those songs. He should be flattered! LMAO
I think we’ll do better than that……….I’m guessing an 11-5 record.
http://www.milehighsports.com/?p=11195
Kod what happened to 19-0? LOL!!!
thanks for that read cat………….interesting take on the situation……….and he’s right. We don’t know squat! It’s all just speculation. But it still doesn’t change the fact that he’ll prob be suspended………….whatever the outcome.
19-0 is a little too greedy! lol
I just want to win the division and take it from there……….all the way to the SB!
LOL I am just kidding!
Yes we don’t know squat! Yeah but he might not even be suspended until next season. Wait and see…
cat………….does Peyton have a twitter account? I see one called QuarterPeyton but I’m not sure if that’s really his.
We`ll win the division, question is, do we have the capability to get home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
No
Jacob Tamme confirmed that he doesn’t. He is too focused! LOL what is your twitter handle Kod? I will follow you.
I say we sign Jim Leonhard…coming off a knee but we need depth at safety.
Also, I think I heard a few weeks ago PM does not have a twitter acct.
I don’t actually have a twitter account……….I just check out people like Lindsay Jones and Adam Schefter for football news……….
I agree raiderhadr………..we could def use some more depth at safety……….and we could prob get him at a good price.
did you get to tweet the song cat? any response? I’d love for the sports desk at the DP to get it!
I didn’t tweet it to Lindsay but I will right now!
I tweeted Eric DMT Von and Elvis tho
Great job on the Country Neck Kod!!!!!
I’m already about half done with the Neck Rock version!
This has been a real fun way to pass the offseason time!
Your real cool Bro! I wish you lived closer, I would like to hang out with you and jam and do some comedy stuff..
Maybe we can meet at a game some time and bring our guitars and play Neck songs for fans outside the stadium before the game…LOL
ILMSDB!!!!!!
STRONG IS THE NECK!!!!!
OC! Thanks man……………same to you and hopefully we can make it happen one of these days. I’m def planing a trip for next season, no ifs, ands or buts about it! Would love to jam……….it’s one of my favorite things to do……..making music with others is just a rush to me……………..just like making people laugh.
Just curious though…..was that at all the way you heard it in your head when you wrote it? Usually you have the melody first, then write the lyrics…………which is the best way. A little more challenging taking lyrics and fitting them to a melody.
STRONG IS THE NECK!