California Showdown Between #16 Centennial and Mater Dei

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle


Two of California's best high school football teams square-off Friday night in Santa Ana. Mater Dei (2-0) and USC-bound quarerback Matt Barkley will host Centennial (1-0), the #16 team in this week's USA Today Super 25. Mater Dei is ranked #2 in California, while Centennial is ranked #4.

For a game preview from the OC Register, click here.

Mater Dei (CA) Survives in 3 OT Battle With Carson on ESPN 2

By Jeff Fisher
The High School Football Huddle


It took three overtimes, but 2007 Gatorade National Player of the Year Matt Barkley and his Mater Dei (Santa Ana, CA) teammates were finally able to shake Carson 46-43 in a game that was nationally televised on ESPN 2 Wednesday night.

Barkley, who looked good-and-bad at times, tossed six touchdown passes to go along with four interceptions, including one in the second scoreless overtime for the Monarchs, who entered the game ranked #29 in the ESPN Rise Fab 50. Barkley, who has verbally committed to USC, ended the game 15-of-31 for 301 yards. His top receiver was senior Ario Winston who caught six balls for 143 yards and three touchdowns.

To read more from the Orange County Register, click here.