Player of the Week : Nothing Can Stop Barrick

During the summer, Fallbrook High School’s Scott Barrick didn’t know what position he would play this season.

The 6-foot 2-inch, 180-pound junior played four games at quarterback for the Fallbrook junior varsity in 1984 and spent the rest of his playing time at wide receiver.

As it turned out, Barrick was called on to replace the graduated Jaime Miramontes, one of the most successful quarterbacks in San Diego County prep football history.

In his first game at varsity quarterback, Barrick completed 23 of 39 passes for 420 yards and 3 touchdowns in leading Fallbrook to 26-14 season-opening win against Mount Miguel two weeks ago.

Relegated to a backup role in Fallbrook’s game against San Marcos Friday because of a thumb injury, Barrick entered the game in the second quarter with his team behind, 6-0. But Barrick directed the offense to two second-half touchdowns by halftime and a 14-6 lead.

Fallbrook (2-0) went on to win, 21-19, and Barrick finished the game with 16 completions in 32 attempts for 209 yards and 1 touchdown. For that effort, Barrick has been named The Times’ Player of the Week.

“The coaches worked with Bill (Dunckel) all week at quarterback,” Barrick said. “I hit my thumb on a (defensive) lineman’s helmet in the second quarter of the Mount Miguel game.”

But since the thumb caused no apparent problems last Friday, Barrick is scheduled to start this Friday against El Camino.

Barrick credits two of his favorite receivers, Dunckel and Rob Shea, for a lot of his success.

“Neither of those guys just drop the ball,” Barrick said. “I think they’re the best two receivers in the county. With them, I can’t miss.”

Until his sophomore season, however, Barrick never had the opportunity to miss. Barrick lived in the Chula Vista area in 1982 and played quarterback for the junior varsity his freshman year at Hilltop High, a school hardly known for its passing game.

“We didn’t have that good of a team,” Barrick said. “It was mostly a running team.”

Barrick said he’s learned quite a bit from the coaches at Fallbrook and from watching Miramontes in 1983 and 84. But the junior admitted he’s still an inexperienced quarterback, despite what his statistics might suggest. And he knows there is still plenty to learn.

“I’m a strong arm quarterback,” Barrick said. “I’ve got to work on reading defenses better and on hitting the quick game (quick passes).”