Mater Dei's Barkley picked as state's best

Mater Dei junior quarterback Matt Barkley's season is over, but what could be a deluge of postseason awards for him started today.

Barkley was selected as the California Football Player of the Year by Gatorade after a sensational season in which he threw for 3,576 yards and 35 touchdowns. He led the Monarchs to the CIF-Southern Section Pac-5 Division second round, but they fell there to Crespi of Encino.

Barkley is the second Orange County quarterback in four seasons to receive the honor. Mission Viejo High's Mark Sanchez, who now is at USC, was the selection for the 2004 season.

Barkley is projected as perhaps the top recruit in the nation for next season, and he hasn't committed to a school yet.

"He's a great player," Centennial of Corona coach Matt Logan said in a release announcing the award. "He's very accurate, makes good decisions and great throws.

"He'll probably be a Heisman Trophy candidate and probably NFL guy down the line. I guess (Mater Dei alumnus) Matt Leinart is the benchmark, and he's definitely following in those footsteps."

The award also recognized Barkley's academics (3.77 GPA) and his work off the field. He and his family started the Monarchs for Marines program to support those based out of Camp Pendleton.

Contact the writer: preps@ocregister.com