Preseason Countdown: No.24 Heritage

By John Cackowski
State Director

Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will count down the top 50 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage. The top 50 teams are picked from all classifications, and are not divided up by class level. To see the entire list CLICK HERE 

Team: Heritage
Preseason Rank: 24
2015 Record: 9-10
Conference: Continental
CHSAA Class: 5A
Head Coach: Scott Horman
Playoff Run: Not Available
2015 Final Rank: 51
Returning Starters: 8
Returning Pitchers: 4

TOP PLAYERS:
Billy Moreland, SS/RHP, No. 22 2016 (University of Northern Colorado)
Owen Reynolds, OF, 2016 (Lamar C.C)
Casey Opitz, C, No. 3 2017 (No. 244 Overall)
Jacob Hilton, SS/RHP, No. 14 2017 (New Mexico)
Dalton Thorpe, 1B, 2016
Jack Brouillette, OF, 2016
Riley Egloff, RHP, 2018
Ryan Hutchinson, C, No. 11 2018

X-FACTOR:
The Eagles have not made the playoffs since 2011. They definitely have talent this year, but none of the players have experienced a one and done District Saturday.
  

 KEY PLAYERS LOST:
Tom Scufca: Graduated

STAT RAT:
The Eagles have not had a winning season since 2011, and they are a combined 21 and 50 since then.

BOTTOM LINE:
There might not be a team in the state at any level coming in with higher expectations then the Heritage Eagles in 2016. Loaded with talent, they will be put to the test to prove they belong, and if the talent that is on paper shows up, then they should not have any issues proving that. Starting with 2016 SS/RHP Billy Moreland, a University of Northern Colorado commit, he brings a presence to the team. Last year Moreland led the team with 5 homeruns and 24 RBI's. Moreland also has a mid to upper 80 fastball and will be asked to be one of the starters in the rotation. 2017 C Casey Opitz has the family name for credibility (The two oldest Optiz brothers were drafted) and he is honoring that name just fine. Last year the switch hitting catcher/shortstop hit .344 and led the team with 20 runs. A solid outfield returns in 2016 Owen Reynolds, and Jack Brouillette. Owens is committed to Lamar CC, and Brouillette hit .333 last year. When new 2018 rankings are release expect to find RHP Riley Egloff high on the list. As a freshman last year he was their best option going 3-4 but carried a 2.84 ERA and struck out 32 in 37 innings. He also hit .300 as a freshman. 2016 1B and power hitter Dalton Thorpe hit over .300 with 3 homeruns. With all of this returning talent the Eagles have SS/RHP Jacob Hilton now who transferred from Arapahoe at semester. He will have to sit out the first 9 games, but will be inserted to an already talented lineup. Hilton started all last year for the Warriors and also possesses an upper 80's fastball. 2018 C Ryan Hutchinson would start on most teams as the main option behind the plate, but plays when Opitz is at shortstop. The Eagles know they already have a target on their back, but that is what head coach Scott Horman embraces and expect the Eagles to be at the top of the tough Continental League and in the mix for the league championship.

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