Preseason Top 50 Countdown: No. 4 Eaton

April 4, 2016

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: Eaton
Preseason Rank: 3A No. 1
2014 Record: 26-1
Conference: Patriot League
CHSAA Class: 3A
Head Coach: Bob Irvin
Playoff Run: Won 3A State Championship game
2014 Final Rank: 1
Returning Starters: 7
Returning Pitchers: 4

TOP PLAYERS:
Matt Burkart, RHP/C/3B, No. 12 2016(University of Northern Co)
Dalton Lind, RHP/OF, No. 32 2016 (Iowa Western CC)
Joe Mondragon, 1B, No. 70 2016 (Neosho County)
JT Mossberg, RHP/2B, No. 137 2016
Dalton Ervin, RHP/OF, 2016
Joe Kuhn, C/OF, 2016

X-FACTOR:
Legendary Head Coach Jim Danley moves on after 44 seasons and a career record of 811-163-2. The Reds won over 84% of their games since 1972 which has included 11 3A state championships. The 84% winning percentage was the highest in the country under 1 coach in the span. The Reds still have plenty of talent, but it will be interesting to see how much a change like this impacts the program.

KEY PLAYERS LOST:
Ryan Koehler: New Mexico Junior College
Brady Tadesco: Northeastern Junior College
Lane Greinman: Otero

STAT RAT:
The Reds went into the 3A State Championship with a 26-0 record but lost to Brush 4-3 spoiling their quest for an undefeated season. However Brush had to beat the Reds twice that day, and the Reds prevailed 7-1 to win the 3A title for the 11th time.

BOTTOM LINE:
The Reds have won over 84% of their games since 1972 which has included 11 3A state championships. The Reds are always in the mix as one of the top 4 3A teams in the state. This year you should expect them to be back in the 3A state championship game. Usually the Reds have a pitching staff that is deep, comes at you in different angles, and can even adjust their rotation by outside wind speed. This year should be no different. 2016 SS/RHP Matt Burkart (University of Northern Colorado) will be back to do the bulk of the damage offensively bringing a lot of power to the middle of the lineup. Last year Burkart hit .464 and drove in 36 runs. 2016 RHP Dalton Lind (Iowa Western CC) returns and should be the No. 1 pitcher for the Reds bringing an upper 80's fastball to the mix. 1B Joe Mondragon, 2016 3B/RHP JT Mossberg, and 2017 OF/3B Sean Carson will provide OBA and depth the lineup. The Reds will be extremely tough to beat in 3A in 2016. Look for seniors Dalton Ervin and Joe Kuhn to provide more depth for the offense. They are by far the favorites to win their 12th state championship at 3A.

RELATED MATERIAL

CO 12.01.15
Preseason Countdown: No. 50 Bear Creek
Bears fall just short of 2015 playoffs, look to regroup in 2016...>>

CO 12.03.15
Preseason Countdown: No.49 Arapahoe
Look for Warriors to rebound and secure a 2016 playoff spot...>>

CO 12.09.15
Preseason Countdown: No. 48 Broomfield
Look for Broomfield to rebound in 2016 after first year at 5A...>>

CO 12.10.15
Preseason Countdown: No. 47 Hotchkiss
Look for Hotchkiss to compete for 2A State Championship Title...>>

CO 12.17.15
Preseason Countdown: No.46 Resurrection Christian
Cougars look to rebound from heartbreaking loss in 2015 2A State Championship...>>

CO 1.05.16
Preseason Countdown: No.45 Smoky Hill
The Buffalos can't be overlooked in 2016. ...>>

CO 1.11.16
Preseason Countdown: No.44 University
The Bulldogs will be a favorite to return to the 3A Semifinals...>>

CO 1.14.16
Preseason Countdown No. 43 Horizon
Hawks look to build on the playoff run from last year...>>

CO 1.19.16
Preseason Countdown: No. 42 Grand Junction
Look for Tigers to continue winning ways, need offensive production to go far...>>

CO 1.20.16
Preseason Countdown: No.41 Bayfield
Bayfield will be a favorite to capture 3A Crown...>>

CO 1.26.16
Preseason Countdown: No 40 Highlands Ranch
Highlands Ranch has a young but talented team to compete in 2016...>>

CO 2.05.16
Preseason Countdown: No. 39 Grand Junction Central
The Warriors always have talent..but have to replace 7 starters from 2015...>>

CO 2.10.16
Preseason Countdown: No. 38 Valor Christian
After first losing season in program history, look for the Eagles to rebound...>>

CO 2.18.16
Preseason Countdown: No. 37 Pueblo East
Eagles have a lot of talent returning in 2016, could be year they break through...>>

CO 2.19.16
Preseason Countdown: No. 36 Dakota Ridge
After dissapointing 2015, don't sleep on the Eagles...>>

CO 2.22.16
Preseason Countdown: No. 35 Columbine
Rebels bring talent back from dissapointing 2015 season...>>

CO 2.23.16
Preseason Countdown: No. 34 Lamar
Lamar reloads with some young talent to improve on solid 2015 season...>>

CO 2.29.16
Preseason Countdown: No. 33 ThunderRidge
Grizzlies need to find way to take pressure off talented pitching staff...>>

CO 3.01.16
Preseason Countdown: No.32 Longmont
Longmont returns 7 starters with expectations to make deep playoff run...>>

CO 3.02.16
Preseason Countdown: No.31 Douglas County
The Huskies have enough talent coming back to have success...>>

CO 3.03.16
Preseason Countdown: No. 30 Ralston Valley
The Mustangs could be primed for a long 5A playoff run...>>

CO 3.04.16
Preseason Countdown: No. 29 Lakewood
The Tigers bring back just about everyone from 2015 success...>>

CO 3.04.16
Preseason Countdown: No.28 Mullen
Mustangs lose pitching, but still bring back quality talent in 2016...>>

CO 3.07.16
Preseason Countdown: No.27 Pueblo West
Cyclones have talent coming back for potential 4A Final 8 run...>>

CO 3.08.16
Preseason Countdown: No.26 Windsor
Wizards have two arms and enough returning talent to make a 4A run...>>

CO 3.10.16
Preseason Countdown: No.25 Pueblo South
Colts bring back pitching experience and a stud catcher for 4A a Playoff Run...>>

CO 3.10.16
Preseason Countdown: No.24 Heritage
Loaded with talent, expect the Eagles to get back in playoff action in 2016...>>

CO 3.16.16
Preseason Countdown: No.23 Erie
Tigers return 6 starters from 2015 4A Final 8 Team. ...>>

CO 3.17.16
Preseason Countdown: No.22 Fairview
Knights graduated some big time players in 2015, depth of program will be tested...>>

CO 3.18.16
Preseason Countdown: No.21 Wheat Ridge
Farmers looking to reload after graduating some significant talent...>>

CO 3.21.16
Preseason Countdown: No. 20 Brighton
Bulldogs have the talent, just have to believe...>>

CO 3.22.16
Preseason Countdown: No.19 Lewis Palmer
Rangers will have to find a way to replace 7 graduated seniors...>>

CO 3.23.16
Preseason Countdown: No.18 Air Academy
Kadets have talent coming back for 4A playoff run

CO 3.25.16
Preseason Countdown: No.17 Mountain Vista
New faces will have to replace Division 1 pitching talent...>>

CO 3.26.16
Preseason Countdown: No. 16 Cherokee Trail
The Cougars are back on the 5A playoff map, return a ton of talent...>>

CO 3.30.16

Preseason Top 50 Countdown: No. 4 Eaton

PRESEASON TOP 50 COUNTDOWN: NO. 14 MOUNTAIN VIEW

PRESEASON TOP 50 COUNTDOWN: NO. 13 SILVER CREEK

PRESEASON COUNTDOWN: NO 12 HOLY FAMILY