By PBR Staff

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: Faith Christian
Preseason Rank: 14
2016 Record: 20-6
Conference: 3A Metro League
CHSAA Class: 3A
Head Coach: Jim Polson
Playoff Run: Defeated Manitou Springs 5-1 to win the 3A State Championship
2016 Final Rank: 9
Returning Starters: 5
Returning Pitchers: 1

TOP PLAYERS:
Landon Ford, INF/RHP, 2017
Michael Gubanich, OF, 2017
Collin Stone, C/INF, 2018

OTHER PLAYERS WHO MIGHT MAKE AN IMPACT:
Michael Thornem LHP, 2019

KEY PLAYERS LOST:
Austin Stone
Gabe Hegarty
AJ Stephens

Bottom Line:  This is a storied program that has witnessed a pretty significant shift from 2-16 to 2017.  Start with Jim Polson taking over for Ralph Nance and then the graduation of some pretty serious seniors and their stats.  You cannot count out Faith Christian though, they have the post season experience to compete with anybody.  The past four years have produced the following run, 2013 a loss in the State Title play-in game, 2014 a State Semi Finals loss, 2015 a trip to the 3A districts and 2016 a 3A State Championship.  The Eagles will turn to Landon Ford to do it all for this young team.  His 2016 season saw him hit .384 with 28 hits and score 29 runs.  On the mound he worked 25.1 innings with 18 K’s and a 1.32 ERA.  Joining Ford will be Michael Gubanich, .380 with 17 RBI and 6 steals and Collin Stone, .522 avg. over 16 games.  These three will be complemented by a host of Eagles who plays a handful of innings in 2016, they will be called upon to show up big in 2017 if the Eagles are to defend their crown.