Football: Saturday is big day for passing tournaments

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Summer football passing tournaments have been going full tilt since the second weekend of June, and they reach an important peak moment on Saturday, with big-time teams and top quarterback prospects scheduled to compete in seven-on-seven duels at Huntington Beach Edison, Mission Viejo and Claremont.

The Edison tournament features USC-bound quarterback Matt Barkley of Santa Ana Mater Dei, left. He helped the Monarchs win the Dana Hills tournament last month, and this tournament offers a final glimpse to see how much his new receivers have improved.

Mater Dei will have plenty of competition from Corona Centennial, Chaparral, Los Alamitos, South Hills, Tesoro, Valencia, Orange Lutheran and Santa Margarita.

The Mission Viejo tournament will include three quarterbacks who have committed to Division I schools -- Allan Bridgford of Mission Viejo, Richard Brehaut of Los Osos and Josh Nunes of Upland. They’re headed to California, UCLA and Tennessee, respectively.

The Claremont tournament has Newhall Hart and Canyon Country Canyon from the Foothill League. There also are tournaments at Oxnard Rio Mesa and Pasadena.

In other words, if you like football, Saturday is the day to get out and go scouting for a preview of top skill-position players.

-- Eric Sondheimer

-- Image by Lori Shepler/Los Angeles Times