Mater Dei quarterback Matt Barkley has taken some criticism for his nine interceptions in the first four games of the season. He threw 10 interceptions in 2007. ROSE PALMISANO, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER FROM THE OCVARSITY BLOG Related links Edison's pressure too much for Mater Dei Newport Harbor escapes wild finish with win over Dana Hills Allain is driving force behind another Fullerton victory San Clemente takes over in second half Ground attack propels Tustin to victory Foothill uses big plays to beat El Modena St. Margaret’s defense makes sure streak survives Troy loses to Diamond Bar on final play Chaparral's second-quarter burst stops Santa Margarita Kennedy comes up short against Downey, 21-20 Garden Grove overpowers Laguna Beach, 42-24 Segerstrom passes coach's test in victory Godinez scores historic first Irvine wins battle with crosstown rival Northwood Tippy leads Ocean View past Costa Mesa Bolsa Grande lets chance, game get away Villa Park grinds out victory over Sunny Hills Palacios powers Century past Saddleback Dominguez helps Valencia celebrate in style Savanna wins second in row Saddleback Valley Christian slips past Fairmont Prep Los Amigos picks up first victory Capo Valley Christian still searching for first win Matt Barkley, Mater Dei football, biography

Matt Barkley overrated? Not even close

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The Mater Dei QB's interceptions are way up, but one observer says he's every bit as good as he was last season.

Mater Dei quarterback Matt Barkley began his senior season with four interceptions in a nationally televised prime-time game against Carson.

Not long after Veterans Stadium in Long Beach had been emptied of spectators on that Sept. 3 evening, the Internet was buzzing about Barkley’s performance.

Some went so far as to say that the 2007 Gatorade national player of the year and future USC quarterback was all hype.

Not so fast.

Barkley put up all-world and all-county numbers last season. He set a county record for passing yards (3,560) and he tossed 35 touchdowns as a junior.

More impressive was his interception total: 10 … in 11 games.

So far this season he has nine interceptions ... in four games.

That is a lot of for so early in the season, and he'll need to avoid adding to that total tonight as he leads No. 3 Mater Dei into a showdown with No. 5 Edison at Orange Coast College.

But does that make him overrated?

I’ve attended all four of Mater Dei's games this season, and he is the same Barkley that we saw in 2007.

He still has the strong, cannon for a right arm -- it might be stronger than last season. He's  physically bigger and stronger than he was last season, and he is still the leader that he’s been since he first stepped under center as a freshman.

The problem has been his timing. He is working with a new group of receivers, and his offensive line had been without junior Chris Ward until last week. That has forced him to take a lot more risks than he did last season.

That’s the risk he’s willing to take in order for his team to win.

Overrated? I don’t think so.

Contact the writer: dcalhoun@ocregister.com