Barkely in contention for national and state award

Matt Barkely, a Newport Beach resident who is the quarterback for Mater Dei High, has already been named Gatorade National Player of the Year and he’s in contention for two more awards, a national and a state honor.

Barkley, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound junior, is one of seven finalists for the inaugural Joe Montana Quarterback of the Year Award, given to the nation’s best high school quarterback.

The winner will be chosen by Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana and Steve Clarkson, a quarterback expert and President of DeBartolo Sports University.

The winner will be announced on Jan. 1 and the presentation will be made by Montana and Clarkson during the first half of the Outback Bowl in Tampa, Fla. (Tennessee vs. Wisconsin).

Barkley, who threw for 3,560 yards and 35 touchdowns with nine interceptions on 214-of-340 passing, is also one of six finalists for the Mr. Football State Player of the Year named by Cal-Hi Sports.

— From staff reports