HIGH SCHOOLS / ERIC SONDHEIMER - Summer showing makes Mater Dei a fall favorite

After seven weeks of attending summer passing tournaments from Orange County to the San Gabriel Valley, here’s my final observation: Santa Ana Mater Dei deserves to start the 2007 high school football season ranked No. 1 in Southern California.

It doesn’t mean the Monarchs are invincible or a lock to win their first major-division Southern Section championship since 1999.

But they will start out with all the ingredients needed to succeed.

What Coach Bruce Rollinson has clearly accomplished in the off-season is to improve Mater Dei’s overall strength and speed. As a passing tournament team, the Monarchs were the most consistent because of their experience at quarterback and receiver.

Matt Barkley, entering his junior season, could end up being the next Jimmy Clausen, meaning he’s going to be heralded as the top quarterback prospect in the nation for 2008. His big advantage is having a quality group of receivers, led by his cousin, Robbie Boyer.

“Barkley has completely mastered the offense, and he’s having fun,” Rollinson said. “I like the fact he knows it’s his offense and kids look for his leadership.”

Of course, passing tournaments don’t allow tackling, and once the pads go on next month, the players up front start to matter. And the Monarchs are solid on the offensive and defensive lines. Offensive tackle Khaled Holmes and defensive end Cameron Meredith are two of the best at their position.

“We like what’s back in the stable,” Rollinson said.

A real summer discovery is how good defensive back Andrew Abbott has become.

The secret weapon, though, that can save the Monarchs in the expected big games of the Trinity League and the anticipated showdown during the Pac-5 Division playoffs with Long Beach Poly is kicker Patrick Duffy.

Duffy is ranked as the No. 1 kicker in the Southland by kicking guru Chris Sailer. He was absent from summer competitions, but his presence offers an insurance policy for the Monarchs, who open their season Sept. 7 against West Covina.

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Long Beach Poly is the team that improved the most from the opening passing tournament weekend in June, and it is a scary thought, as Coach Raul Lara warned, that the Jackrabbits might be able to pass the ball on a consistent basis.

But the Jackrabbits don’t have a big-time running back, and junior quarterback Morgan Fennell still must prove himself as a decision maker when people are rushing him.

What is certain is how strong Poly will be on defense. The Jackrabbits are loaded with talent in the secondary, and they have defensive linemen who can run as fast as a running back.

In fact, three of the best teams from last season – Poly, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame and Lake Balboa Birmingham – will have outstanding defensive units. The question for each is, will the offense be good enough to make it a championship team?

Notre Dame, with USC-bound tackle Wes Horton and two outstanding linebackers in Notre Dame-bound Anthony McDonald and junior Jordan Barrett, won’t fear anyone on defense. But offensively, the Knights have a glaring weak spot at receiver, which isn’t good news for Notre Dame-bound quarterback Dayne Crist.

Birmingham, led by the Jackson twins, defensive ends Marquis and Malik, and UCLA-bound linebacker Donovan Carter, should have the best defense in the City Section.

But the Patriots will start fall practice without a reliable quarterback, and asking All-City running back Milton Knox to deliver in every big game won’t cut it. Once again, it will be up to Coach Ed Croson to work another miracle and somehow develop the quarterback position.

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One of the most intriguing stories revolves around running back Darrell Scott, No. 1 in the nation if you believe the Internet recruiting services.

Except Scott has been missing in action most of the summer from Ventura St. Bonaventure after suffering a back injury playing air hockey.

On Thursday, Scott made his first appearance since early June, playing in a passing competition against Sherman Oaks Notre Dame. He has all the physical tools that former St. Bonaventure standouts Lorenzo Booker and Whitney Lewis displayed when they were ranked at the top of their positions.

Scott, who transferred from Moorpark after rushing for more than 200 yards in 11 of 14 games, seems intent on staying at St. Bonaventure despite persistent rumors he might make another change.

He is certain that his days spending three hours bent over playing air hockey are over.

“I’m not messing with it,” he said.

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Scott remains undecided on his college commitment, but the region’s top running backs are getting swooped up.

Delano Howell of Newhall Hart is the latest, having committed to Stanford.

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This fall, it’s time to give the Inland Empire some respect.

Corona Centennial, Riverside North, Corona, Corona Santiago, Norco and Temecula Chaparral all have standout players, good coaches and lots of experience, making them ready to challenge any program in the Southland.

Corona, however, suffered a big blow when 6-foot-3, 305-pound tackle Max Tuioti-Mariner went down with a knee injury during spring practice. He will be lost for the entire fall season.

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If there’s one team that could surprise everyone and emerge as a possible top-five candidate, it’s Encino Crespi.

On skill-position players alone, the Celts were one of the most impressive passing tournament teams.

Quarterback Kevin Prince is much improved. Safety E.J. Woods is as good as they come. Sophomore receiver Blake Stanton is a potential standout. And 6-7 tight end Joseph Fauria is a unique target because of his size.

“When I get triple teamed, they get the ball,” he said, referring to his receiver teammates.

How strong the Celts can become on defense will determine if they can knock off neighborhood rival Notre Dame this fall. Crespi hasn’t beaten the Knights since 1993.

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After a summer in which there were several serious injuries and frightening collisions during seven-on-seven passing competitions, coaches might want to give consideration to requiring players to wear mouth pieces to help prevent injuries.

“The summer passing league stuff is really fun,” Carpinteria Coach John Hazelton said in an e-mail. “But the increased emphasis on competition and passing offenses has made the activity extremely perilous.”

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Former Chatsworth coach Ted Corcoran has been hired to be the full-time strength and conditioning coach at La Canada St. Francis. It’s another sign of the importance private schools are placing on work in the weight room.

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The City Section begins official conditioning drills on July 30.

Birmingham, Venice, Carson, Crenshaw and Dorsey are the City title favorites.

Southern Section teams can practice throughout August if they already took their mandatory three-week dead period.

Opening zero-week games are set for Aug. 31. Among the best: Venice at San Fernando, Birmingham vs. Crespi at Pierce College, Compton Dominguez at Corona Centennial, St. Bonaventure vs. Santa Margarita at Saddleback College.

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Eric Sondheimer can be reached at eric.sondheimer@latimes.com