This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
After a heart-stopping second half win in the Broncos Invitational Flag Football Tournament, the We Sport U Eagles scored a berth in the NFL National Flag Football Championship. The team of ten Longmont area teens will fly to Orlando in January and will vie with 39 other teams for the national title. The top two teams in Orlando will face off in a live broadcast during half-time of the Pro Bowl.
The boys will represent the NFL Denver Broncos in the contest, trading their green Eagles jerseys for orange Broncos ones. Each NFL team selects a flag football team to go "be them" at the National Championship, said coach Tim Tests.
Tests said the road to Orlando was a crooked one. "We played in the regional 'Battle of the Rockies' tournament in Aurora and came up short in the championship game. We thought it was over and done." Then, We Sport U owner, Cyndi Gillman, impressed by the Eagles' play in the tournament, offered Tests a spot in the Bronco Invitational.
In the final round of that tournament, Tests said, "we were losing 24-14 at half-time. I told the team 'you have a right to go out and earn this.'" The Eagles soared back in the second half, bringing in a 39-24 win, and securing the trip to Orlando.
Several Denver Bronco team members watched that final. "They were supportive and told us we did a great job. It was fun watching them be impressed by us," Tests said. "The Broncos have been incredible for us, helping us out along the way."
Preparation for the tournament includes two practice sessions with the Denver Broncos at Bronco Headquarters in Dove Valley and lots of workouts. Additionally, the players will scrutinize video of past championships and square off against local teams at Longmont High.
Tests says his team's greatest strength is "diversity," as well as the ability for members to play a lot of different positions. Furthermore, he added that his group also boasts "one of the fastest kids I've ever seen, Sean Medlock."
"We're a team and a family," Tests added.
In Orlando, the team will get seats at the Pro Bowl and join in pre-game activities. Also, there is an NFL party, where the teens can meet NFL players. And, they'll practice with local teams and maybe have a little extra time to visit Disney World.
"There's a lot of great players in Longmont," Tests says. "I'm incredibly proud of these boys."
The team is planning a couple of fundraisers to help defray costs of the Florida trip. Details are not available yet, but information will be posted on the team's Facebook page: We Sport U Broncos 2019.
