All-Area Football: La Habra’s Eric Barriere is 2015 Whittier Daily News Player of the Year

La Habra's Eric Barriere is Whittier Daily News Football Player of the Year. (Staff photo by Watchara Phomicinda)

La Habra’s Eric Barriere is Whittier Daily News Football Player of the Year. (Staff photo by Watchara Phomicinda)


BY STEPHEN RAMIREZ
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
ERIC BARRIERE
LA HABRA, SENIOR


LA HABRA — Eric Barriere walked on to La Habra High School four years ago as a virtual unknown.He will leave arguably as one of the top players in the football team’s history.Barriere, after leading the Highlanders to the program’s seventh divisional title is the Whittier Daily News Football Player of the Year.“It makes me happy that people feel that way about me,” Barriere said of his legacy. “There have been a lot of great players in this program. I’m really honored to be compared to them.”
It was well-deserved this season. The senior earned Freeway player of the year honors after helping the Highlanders to a 13-2 record and the division title. He accounted for 4,000 yards and 58 touchdowns, including throwing for 3,077 and 46 scores.
Barriere’s biggest contribution came when it was unexpected. He not only saved his biggest performances during the biggest games, but at the biggest moments. None bigger than in the Southwest title game when he led La Habra to a 39-36 win over San Clemente.
The Highlanders quest to win the program’s seventh section title looked bleak after they gave up the lead to San Clemente with 20 seconds to play. But Barriere, who earlier in the season beat Los Alamitos with a Hail Mary throw, had one more up his sleeve, tossing 27 yards to Prince Ross to beat the Tritons.
“When he started making those plays (as a sophomore), you start thinking this is something (special),” La Habra coach Frank Mazzotta said. “From there, plays kept coming and kept coming, and obviously cultivating this year with his play leading us to the championship.
“The average kid is getting sacked, and he’s breaking them for first downs or touchdowns. It’s crazy.”
Barriere, who has received an offer from Eastern Washington, completed his high school career by throwing for 414 yards and accounting for three touchdowns in a 63-49 loss to Camarillo in the regional playoffs.
“It was a really great year,” Barriere said. “It was great for the program to win CIF for the first time in five years. All offseason and season it was our goal to win a championship and we did that.”
COACH OF THE YEAR MIKE MOSCHETTI
Mike Moschetti, La Mirada

Moschetti’s eighth season at La Mirada was quite a charm.
The Matadores, after falling short of expectations the previous two seasons, enjoyed arguably the program’s best season, going 13-3 and winning the CIF-SS Southeast Division and CIF Regional and State Division III-AA titles.
It was La Mirada’s third CIF-SS title and came after suffering consecutive losses in the first round in 2013 and ‘14.

“It’s all part of the journey, which makes it special,” said Moschetti, who was part of the school’s first section title in 1993 as a player and was co-head coach when the school won the Southern Division in 2009. “This program’s been through a lot of adversity the past couple of years. But these kids and this coaching staff stuck together. It’s the greatest feeling in the world (to win a state title.
“It was our goal; our dream, to not only play for a state championship but to become state champions. The kids were relentless. The closest game we had (in the playoffs) was by a margin of 22 points. They just dominated six straight playoff games. We’re humbled by this.”
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR SEI-J LAUAGO
SEI-J LAUAGO
RB, La Mirada, Senior

Lauago had arguably one of the better playoff stretches in history, rushing for more than 1,000 yards in six playoff wins, the final giving La Mirada the CIF State Division III-AA title. He accounted for nearly 2,000 yards and 24 touchdowns. He had 300 yards rushing and three touchdowns in a 45-20 victory over La Serna in the CIF-SS Southeast title game. He was Southeast Division Player of the year.
Lauago rushed for nearly a 1,000 yards in the playoffs. He also ran for 258 yards in the post-season opener vs. Santa Fe.
“I just have to give it up to my O-line,” Lauago said of his success this season. “Without my O-line, I wouldn’t be able to make those big-time plays. People always say that big-time players make big-time plays in big-time games.
“That’s what I try to do for my team. I want to get us in a good position to win.”
Said coach Mike Moschetti of his star: He’s our guy. He’s 5-foot-6, 175 pounds, squats over 400 pounds. He’s a 4.0 student, been a three-year varsity player for us. (Rarely) says two words. The only words he says are, ‘Yes sir, and no sir.’”
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR TRISTAN MEYER
TRISTAN MEYER,
La Mirada, Junior

Meyer, whose older brother was a starting quarterback for La Mirada in the early 2000s, lived up to his family tradition by leading La Mirada to section and state titles. He took over at quarterback during the nonleague schedule and shined, finishing with more than 2,000 yards passing an 29 touchdowns.
FIRST TEAM JOHN CEBALLOS
JOHN CEBALLOS
QB, La Serna, Senior

Ceballos keyed the Lancers run to the Del Rio League title and the CIF-SS Southeast Divisions finals, where they lost to La Mirada. The senior accounted for 2,647 yards and 26 touchdowns. He was All-CIF-Southeast and Del Rio League MVP after helping La Serna to a 11-3 record.
CJ TAYLOR CJ TAYLOR
RB, La Habra, Senior

Taylor was a force for the Highlanders, who went 13-2 and won the CIF-SS Southwest Division title. He rushed for 1,619 yards and 18 touchdowns. The senior averaged nearly 10 yards a carry. He was second team All-Freeway League for La Habra, which won its 25th league title and seventh CIF-SS title.
JACOB FIMBRES JACOB FIMBRES
RB, Sonora, Senior

The Raiders leaned heavily on Fimbres and he responded with one of the best area efforts in recent seasons. The senior helped Sonora to a 9-3 record and the Southwest quarterfinals. It was the Raiders first trip to the postseason in three years. Fimbres rushed for an area-best 2,355 yards and 35 touchdowns. He was Freeway League offensive player of the year.
PRINCE ROSS PRINCE ROSS
WR, La Habra, Junior
Ross was the back end of arguably one of the biggest passing connections in area history, catching Eric Barriere’s Hail Mary pass with no time left to win the Southwest title over San Clemente. It was just one of several big moments for the junior, who earned first team All-Freeway League after catching 71 passes for 1,330 yards and 18 touchdowns.
AMON FELLOWS AMON FELLOWS
WR, La Habra Senior

Fellows was part of La Habra’s one-two receiving punch. He proved to be very athletic capable of turning short passes into big scores. He finished with 58 receptions for 973 yards and 10 touchdowns. The senior was first team All-Freeway League.
NICK WATASE NICK WATASE
WR, Whittier Christian, Senior

The Heralds have had some great receivers in recent seasons, and Watase joins the list after a solid season. He had an area best 93 receptions for 1,119 yards and five touchdowns. He also had 213 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
LUIS LOPEZ LUIS LOPEZ
OL, Montebello, Senior

Lopez helped the Oilers to their third consecutive Almont League title. He led an offensive line that paved the way for Montebello to gain 4,315 yards, including 2,090 on the ground. He was an unanimous pick for first team All-Almont League.
JUSTIN GONZALEZ JUSTIN GONZALEZ
OL, La Mirada, Senior

Gonzalez led an offensive line group that paved the way for one of the top run games in the area. The Matadores gained nearly 3,500 yards on the ground, which keyed the team’s run to the CIF-SS Southeast and CIF State Division III-AA titles. Gonzalez was first team All-Southeast Division.
KOBE TOA KOBE TOA
OL, La Mirada, Junior

Toa was part an offensive line that opened up gaping holes for running back Sei-J Lauago, who rushed for nearly 2,000 yards, and protected quarterback Tristan Meyer, who threw for more than 2,000 yards. Like his counterpart, Toa was first team All-Southeast Division.
ERIC PULLMAN ERIC PULLMAN
OL, Sonora, Senior

Pullman anchored one of the top lines in the area that helped Jacob Fimbres rush for more than 2,000 yards and 34 touchdowns. He helped the Raiders to a 9-3 record and the Southwest Division quarterfinals. Pullman was Freeway League Lineman of the Year.
ADAM TOURVILLE ADAM TOURVILLE
OL, La Habra, Senior

Tourville led an offensive line that helped the Highlanders win their seventh CIF-SS title and advance to the regional playoffs. He helped pave the way for Eric Barriere to account for 4,000 yards and CJ Taylor to rush for 1,600. Tourville was first team All-Freeway League.
RYAN RIVERA RYAN RIVERA
AP, Montebello, Senior

Rivera picked up the slack when 2014 area offensive player of the year Isaac Mendibles was lost for the season and led the Oilers to a 9-2 record and a third consecutive Almont League crown. He accounted for 2,500 yards and 27 touchdowns. He was Almont League MVP.
KEVIN BRAVO KEVIN BRAVO
PK, Montebello, Junior

Bravo was first team All-Almont League kicker and punter. As a kicker, he made 40 of 42 extra-point kicks and was 5 of 5 on field goals, with a long of 43 yards. As a punter, he averaged nearly 38 yards a punt and had a long of 63 yards.
SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE

QB: Cole McDonald, Sonora, Sr.
RB: Edward Cisneros, Santa Fe, Sr.
RB: Robert Leos, California, Sr.
WR: Jonathan Wise, La Serna, Sr.
WR: Andy Brown, Montebello, Jr.
TE: Sire Woods, La Mirada, Jr.
OL: Richard Arias, La Habra, Sr.
OL: Justin Urquidez, St. Paul, Sr.
OL: Julian Orozco, Sonora, Sr.
OL: Tristan Ibarra, La Serna, Sr.
OL: Alec Rodriguez, Santa Fe, Sr.
AP: Phillip Hernandez, Pioneer, Sr.
PK: Francisco Sanchez, La Mirada,Jr.
DEFENSE TITUS DIXON
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Titus Dixon, La Mirada

Dixon was the leader of a La Mirada defense, which was stingy most of the season. He was Southeast Division defensive player of the year after helping the Matadores record four shutouts during its final 11 games. La Mirada also limited the opposition under 15 points in 12 of it’s final 15 games, including a 27-3 win in the Division III-AA state title game.
Dixon was the center of that. He was the leader of a group that coach Mike Moschetti called the best front seven of his tenure. He helped La Mirada up give up just 63 points in six playoff games, including 17 in the final two.
“He’s our leader,” Moschetti said of his star. “To be a championship team, you have to play great defense. We had great leadership, let by Titus.”
KEANU SALEPAGA KEANU SALEPAGA
DL, La Mirada, Senior

Salepaga, who has committed to USC, was a difference maker for the Matadores, who enjoyed a season of the ages by going 13-3 with CIF-SS Southeast Division and CIF State Division III-AA titles. He was part of what coach Mike Moschetti called the best front seven in his tenure. He provided pressure off the edge and ranked among the area leaders in sacks. He was first team All-Southeast Division.
JOSIAH GOMEZ JOSIAH GOMEZ
DL, La Serna, Junior

Gomez provided the Lancers with solid pressure off the edge. He had 58 tackles and led La Serna with 10 sacks. The junior was first team All-Del Rio League and helped La Serna to an 11-3 record and the Del Rio League championship. The Lancers advanced to the finals for the fourth time in five seasons.
JOE GALLARDO JOE GALLARDO
DL, St. Paul, Senior

Gallardo has grown up with the program, being part of the early struggles to a team that turned the corner a bit this fall. He was one of the top players in the Angelus League, earning co-defensive player of the year after securing 71 tackles and five sacks. He also had an interception and blocked a field goal.
DANIEL CAMPOS DANIEL CAMPOS MUG
LB, La Serna, Senior

Campos has been one of the area’s top linebackers the past two seasons and he lived up to that billing this season. He ranked among the area leaders with 160 tackles and had four sacks. He was Del Rio League defensive player of the year. He was also productive on offensive, with 14 receptions for 310 yards as a tight end.
CAMRON RIVAS CAMRON RIVAS
LB, La Habra, Jr.

Rivas was a difference maker who led a defense that helped the Highlanders win the school’s seventh CIF-SS title. He ranked among the area leaders in tackles and sacks and helped the defense secure four shutouts and hold opponents under 15 points in 10 of their 13 wins. He was Freeway League defensive player of the year.
CAMERON CARR CAMERON CARR
LB, La Mirada, Senior

Carr has been one of the area’s top linebackers each of the past two seasons. He played his part in La Mirada securing four shutouts en route to winning 13 of 16 games and the CIF-SS Southeast and CIF State Division III-AA titles. Carr was first team All-Southeast Division.
NOAH RAMIREZ NOAH RAMIREZ
LB, St. Paul, Jr.
Ramirez was one of the top defensive players in the Angelus League. He helped St. Paul finish fourth in the league, including big wins over La Salle and Salesian. He had 56 tackles and was first team All-Angelus League.
ANTHONY GARCIA ANTHONY GARCIA
DB, La Serna, Sr.

Garcia was a solid player on offense and defense for the Lancers, who finished 11-3, won the Del Rio League title and advanced to the Southeast Division title game. On defense, he had 22 tackles and two interceptions. Offensively, he led La Serna with 1,400 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns. He was first team All-Del Rio League.
RJ LAN RJ LAN
DB, La Mirada, Junior

Lan, who was a first team all-area pick in baseball last spring, is one of the top athletes in the area. He ranked among the area leaders in tackles as a defensive back and had two interceptions. He also had 115 yards receiving. Lan was first team All-Southeast Division.
ELIJAH HICKS ELIJAH HICKS
DB, La Mirada, Junior

Hicks was solid on defensive and offense. He had two interceptions, including a key pick in the division title win over La Serna. He was first team All-Southeast Division at defensive back. Offensively, he was a big-play weapon, with 25 receptions for 323 yards and four touchdowns.
KHAILAND JOHNSON KHAILAND JOHNSON
DB, La Habra, Senior

Johnson played a big role in La Habra transforming its defense to one of the better units in the Southwest Division. He had three interceptions to lead the team. He was first team All-Freeway League, and played a part in La Habra finishing 13-2 and winning the Southwest title.
TEVAKA TUIOTI TEVAKA TUIOTI
AP, La Mirada, Senior

Tuioti did a little bit of everything for La Mirada, which went 13-3 and won CIF-SS Southeast Division and CIF State Division III-AA titles. He had three interceptions, including one for a touchdown; threw five touchdowns; had six TD receptions and returned a kick for a score. He was first team All-Southeast Division.
ALEX VASQUEZ ALEX VASQUEZ
Punter, La Serna, Senior

Vasquez was a solid weapon for the Lancers, both as a placekicker and punter. As a punter, he averaged 35 yards a punt.
The senior was All-Dei Rio League as a placekicker and punter. He had 43 touchbacks and made 57 of 58 extra-point kicks. He had three field goals with a long of 36 yards.
SECOND TEAM
DL: Malachi Allen, El Rancho, Sr.
DL: T.Y. Ueli-Faatoalia, La Mirada, Sr.
DL: Matt Gonzales, La Habra, Sr.
DL: Leo Lomeli, La Habra, Sr.
LB: Jacob Colacion, La Habra, Sr.
LB: Dakota Eckheart, Sonora, Sr.
LB: Matthew Rojas, La Serna, Sr.
LB: Chase Newman, La Mirada, Jr.
DB: Madison Wheeler, La Habra, Jr.
DB: Anthony Rios, Whittier, Sr.
DB: Jason Clayton, Sonora, Sr.
DB: Matthew Marshall, La Serna, Jr.
P: Alex Moreno, Santa Fe, Sr.
HONORABLE MENTION
California: Ricky Rodriguez, WR; Kyle Reyes, LB
La Serna: Eli Martinez, OL; Jonathan Kilgore, OL
Montebello: Kobe Quiroga, LB; Christopher Cobos, OL; Brandon Gonzalez, DL
Pioneer: David Dorado, WR; Jon Arreola, LB;
Santa Fe: Joshua Montgomery, TE; Cameron Fletcher, DB
Schurr: Miguel Aguero, QB; Eddie Delgado, DB
St. Paul: Greg Nevarez, RB
Whittier: Hector Zumaya, OL; Issac Razo, LB;
Whittier Christian: Quinn Commans, QB; Justin Osborn, RB
FINAL TOP 10
1. La Habra (13-2)
2. La Mirada (13-3)
3. La Serna (11-3)
4. Sonora (9-3)
5. Montebello (9-2)
6. Schurr (6-6)
7. St. Paul (5-5)
8. Whittier (6-5)
9. Santa Fe (4-7)
10. Pioneer (7-3)
CHAMPIONS
CIF STATE DIVISION III-AA: La Mirada
CIF-SS
Southeast Division: La Mirada
Southwest Division: La Habra
League
Almont: Montebello
Angelus: Cathedral, Harvard-Westlake
Del Rio: La Serna
Freeway: La Habra
Olympic: Cerritos Valley Christian
South Catholic: Bishop Montgomery
Suburban: La Mirada
GAME OF THE YEAR
La Habra 39, San Clemente 33
Dec. 5, 2015 at Cerritos College

Both teams were on a collision course all season and it provided one the most-thrilling finishes ever in a CIF-SS final.
And Eric Barriere was the center of attention.
The senior, who accounted for 386 yards and five touchdowns, guided the Highlanders on 41-yard drive in the final 14 seconds, passing 27 yards to Prince Ross for the victory on the final play. It was La Habra’s second Hail-Mary win of the season and it secured the program’s seventh CIF-SS title.

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