Orange County has seen some outstanding quarterbacks, including three who went on to win Heisman Trophies and many others who played in the NFL. But none has been as noteworthy as Barkley going into a senior year. Barkley was a Trinity League player of the year, was the county offensive player of the year and was named Gatorade football player of the year and Gatorade athlete of the year – as a junior. He passed for a school-record 3,560 yards last season when he completed 214 of 340 passes (63 percent). Barkley is rated as the No. 1 recruit in the nation by many scouting publications and services, and committed to USC. The only mountain left to climb – a CIF-Southern Section championship.

This is a defensive coordinator's nightmare. Evans passed for 2,300 yards and 15 touchdowns last season, and rushed for 950 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has a strong arm. He can throw from the pocket, and he can throw on the run. Evans runs fast, and he runs with power. This year, too, he has a more mature group of receivers and he is running an offense that will showcase all of his skills. Evans, also a very good basketball player, committed to Colorado.

During the offseason, Mothander did pick up some tips from one of Welch's top stars at Canyon -- quarterback Nate Longshore. The senior quarterback at Cal spent time with Mothander at St. Margaret's.

Surprisingly, Longshore hasn't been tabbed the starter this season at Cal but I'm sure he helped Mothander.

Welch added that if he were at Canyon and Mothander was his quarterback, he would feel good about the season.

Melbon inherits a good group of returnees, including 13 2007 starters, who struggled last year against one of the toughest nonleague schedules in the CIF-Southern Section. Quarterback Sean Schroeder, left, threw for 1,136 yards and six touchdowns in 2007, and receiver Dylan Denso had 24 catches for 314 yards. The defense brings back all-league tackle Anthony Kaspar (49 tackles, four sacks).