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OCVarsity Voice: Fast-forwarding to fall reveals some surprises

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Barkley, Marinovich, Oprah all show up on Dan Albano's not-so-trusty crystal ball.

Since there are only a few days left in the 2007-2008 high school season, it's time to start thinking about the fall.

Here's a look into my not-so-trusty crystal ball for my fearless predictions for a great fall season:

1. Matt Barkley cracks 4,000 yards passing: The USC-bound senior tosses for 4,086 yards, giving him a county-record 10,698 yards for his career. Current record-holder Todd Marinovich surprisingly attends the record-setting game, congratulates Barkley and reveals that he has long-regretted transferring from Mater Dei.

2. Orange Lutheran wins the Pac-5 Division: Veteran Long Beach Press-Telegram sports writer Frank Burlison touts the Lancers' secondary as Long Beach Poly-esque. No one stops Exavier Edwards and the Lancers advance to open division state final. Orange Lutheran runs out of gas against De La Salle of Concord.

3. St. Margaret's goes 15-0: The Tartans win the state title and break Mission Viejo's county record for consecutive victories. Canyon of Canyon Country begs for Harry Welch to return but the coach boasts, "I'm a Tartan for life!"

4. Private-Public Debate returns: On the heels of the Lancers' and Tartans' continued excellence, the Century League jumps back into the ring to create separate playoff divisions. In a last-ditch effort to stop another proposal, CIF-SS Commissioner Jim Staunton goes on "Oprah" and appeals to Brea Olinda principal Jerry Halpin to stop the "Madness."

5. Water polo Madness: In the CIF-SS Division I boys water polo final, Los Alamitos outlasts El Toro, 16-14, in three sudden-death overtime periods. The match is quickly dubbed "Best Ever." Griffins coach Dave Carlson is then named an honorary assistant coach in every sport at Los Alamitos. The Griffins' Michael Delaney, Forrest Watkins and Austin Trinkle stun the county by becoming the first tri-players of the year.

6. Soylular returns: Michael Soylular, the well-known coach and director of Laguna Beach Volleyball Club, takes advantage of the association rule and returns to coach the Breakers to a state title. Register columnist Steve Fryer rips into the association rule, causing wide-spread speculation that the rule must go before the winter sports begin. Staunton returns to "Oprah" with David Beckham, who addresses the concerns from soccer coaches.