Another award lands in Mater Dei QB’s hands

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Mater Dei junior Matt Barkley, who has already been named the Glenn Davis Award winner by the Los Angeles Times and the Gatorade National Player of the Year, on Wednesday was named winner of the inaugural Joe Montana Quarterback of the Year Award by DeBartolo Sports University.

Barkley will receive the award at the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1 in a ceremony that includes Montana, the Hall of Fame quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, and Steve Clarkson, president of DeBartolo Sports University, part of the DeBartolo Sports and Entertainment.

-- Image courtesy of DeBartolo Sports University

Barkley was among seven finalists who were culled from an initial pool of 50. The other six finalists were Dayne Crist of Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, Matt Scott of Corona Centennial, E.J. Manuel of Virginia Beach (Va.) Bayside, Landry Jones of Artesia (N.M.), John Weinke of Tuscola (Ill.) and Braden Hanson of Charlotte (N.C.) Latin School.

‘I was honored to have been selected as a finalist,’ Barkley said. ‘To now find out that I have won the award is unbelievable, and I am very excited. Joe Montana was one of the greatest and toughest quarterbacks to ever play in the NFL. Winning an award named after him, and to have a chance to meet and talk to him when I receive the trophy is a lifetime experience.’

Barkley also thanked his teammates, and an offensive line that allowed only seven sacks in 11 games. ‘There is no way I could have had the year I had without them,’ he said. ‘They are a big part of this award.’

Said Montana: ‘Matt Barkley is an outstanding quarterback, and his performance on the field is exceptional. We’re pleased to give our first award to Barkley and see great things for him in the future.’

-- Martin Henderson