OBX Storm Fury U14 boys represent OBX on national stage at NPL Finals

By Submitted Story on August 5, 2026

Team photo in front of graffiti wall in Denver: (from L to R, first row). Zach Munro, Jack Howsare, Edward Estrada; second row: Woods Rogers, Neal Pritchard, Cole Sarlo, Silas Warrender, Miles Foubister, Gray Harrell, Henry Maner, Max Garavito, Carlos Obregon, Dylan Quezada, Walker Meads.

The OBX Storm Fury U14 boys soccer team traveled to Denver this July to compete in the National Premier League (NPL) Finals, capping off a season that saw the young athletes represent the Outer Banks community on one of youth soccer’s biggest stages.

Fury punched their ticket to Denver by finishing in first place in their group during regular season play in the Virginia Premier Soccer League (VPSL), a result that reflected months of hard work, discipline, and team chemistry built over the course of the season and several years of playing together.

A Community Effort

Getting a youth soccer team from the Outer Banks to a national tournament in Colorado is no small undertaking. The trip was made possible through an outpouring of support from local businesses and organizations who stepped up to help fund travel, lodging, and tournament expenses.

The team extends special thanks to the North Carolina Youth Outdoor Engagement Committee (NCYOEC), Outer Banks Pest Control, Shaka’s and Carrillo’s, along with the many other local businesses and community members whose generosity turned this opportunity into reality. For the players, the fundraising process itself became a meaningful part of the journey, a reminder that their community was behind them every step of the way.

Preparing for the Altitude

Knowing that competing at nearly a mile above sea level would present a unique physical challenge, Fury ramped up their training in the weeks leading up to the tournament and arrived in Denver early to begin acclimating to the altitude. The extra preparation time allowed the boys to adjust their conditioning and get comfortable with the thinner air before facing off against some of the top youth clubs in the country.

Entire Team Photo in front of Goal (L to R): Assistant Coach Trahey Maner, Assistant Coach Chris Harrell, Dylan Quezada, Neal Pritchard, Gray Harrell, Silas Warrender, Walker Meads, Miles Foubister, Carlos Obregon, Cole Sarlo, Enzo Piacenza, Max Garavito, Zach Munro, Jack Howsare, Henry Maner, Woods Rogers, Edward Estrada and Coach Matt Hart.

Competing at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park

All NPL Finals matches were held at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, one of the premier soccer venues in the country and home to Major League Soccer’s Colorado Rapids. Playing on such a stage was a highlight for the boys, many of whom had never competed in a facility of that caliber.

Fury faced stiff competition throughout the tournament, squaring off against strong clubs from Minnesota, Florida, and Ohio. While the boys ultimately were not able to advance into the Finals bracket, they competed with heart and represented their club and their coastal hometown well against some of the toughest competition in the country.

The Fury team thanks all of the sponsors, families, and fans who supported the boys throughout their journey to Denver, and look forward to building on this season’s momentum in the years to come. Fury was also accepted to the new N1 League, which will be comprised of the best performing soccer teams in the country. They will begin play this Fall and will continue to compete at a high level against other top teams.