Seven locals earn football honors

Seven local high school athletes were named to their respective All-Southern California Football Coaches Assn. teams, formerly All-CIF Southern Section Division honors.

Seniors Connor McKendry (Estancia), Cody De La Mater (Costa Mesa), and Erik Rask (Corona del Mar) claimed honors in the Southern Division.

Nick Witte and Jamie McGee of Sage Hill were both named to the Northeast Division team. Robbie Boyer and Matt Barkley, Newport Beach residents who attend Mater Dei, both took Pac-5 Division honors.

McKendry, De La Mater, Rask, and Witte all made the Daily Pilot’s 2007 Football Dream Team. McGee was named Player of the Year.

McKendry’s blocking helped create holes for running back Carlos Mendez, who broke Estanica’s single-season rushing record with 1,530 yards.

De La Mater did double duty for the Mustangs as a fullback and linebacker, and shared carries with Robbie Gemayel when injuries hampered starter Antwon Byrd.

Rask recently committed to Pennsylvania, where he will play linebacker. Rask, the Pacific Coast League Defensive Player of the Year, led CdM with 81 tackles, 24 assists, and 4.5 sacks.

In his fourth year as the Lightning’s starting quarterback, McGee had 3,362 passing yards and 39 touchdowns, more than his freshman and sophomore seasons combined.

His main receiver, Witte, had 66 receptions for 1,548 yards and 14 touchdowns for the Lightning.

Barkley, the only Newport-Mesa area junior to make all-division, recently announced his verbal commitment to USC. He was the Gatorade National Player of the Year. Boyer, the Monarch’s No. 1 wide receiver, is still undecided. He caught 57 passes for 1,026 yards and 14 touchdowns this season.

— From staff reports