BENSALEM, Pa. – It’s go-time and that means football. The preseason is winding down. The 7-on-7 competitions are shelved for the smashing pop of hard plastic and the occasional grunts along the O-line.

Welcome to the Blue Star Media Elite 25 high school football preseason rankings and boy, are we exited to get going!

Since joining Blue Star Media in 2010, we’ve had a decade of excellence and before that for since the late 1980s at various national, regional and statewide publications. I’ve maintained that football sets the tone for the school year and this year is no different.

Previously, the month of August was reserved for a handful of influential states. The traditional start date for most was Labor Day Weekend but now we’re fielding games this weekend and mostly on “Opening Weekend” with a raft of games with the Elite 25 in the mix.

As for the 2019 Preseason Elite 25 rankings, St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) holds down the No. 1 spot when the huddle breaks with Trinity League rivals and two-time Blue Star Media Elite 25 National Champions Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) a knife’s edge at No. 2. Expect those teams to play twice this season, once in the regular season and the second sometime in early December in the CIF-Southern Section Open Division playoffs.

However, there are no guarantees the league rivals will survive the nationally-themed schedules. The southern California duo are followed by No. 3 St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.), No. 4 Duncanville (Texas) and No. 5 North Shore (Galena Park, Texas), which is the defending Texas Class 6A, Division I champions. North Shore and Duncanville met in last year’s final while SJC was upended in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference playoffs.

All told, the state breakdown is four from Florida and Texas and three from Georgia and California.

As for the four regions, 11 hail from the Southland and seven from the Far West.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 rankings will return on Sept. 3 and go through until the final rankings are dropped on Dec. 23. It’s always a blast when the calendar reads August, meaning the interscholastic sports scene cranks up for the next 10 months. This is always the best time of the year for interscholastic athletics. Sit back and enjoy the upcoming seasons.

Until Sept. 4, enjoy the games and Labor Day Weekend. Hope to see you at a game soon. — Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Preseason Football Rankings August 6, 2019

1. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (13-1)

The Rub: For the second consecutive year, the Braves are the CAC 25 preseason No. 1. Coach Jason Negro has plenty of parts to construct a championship club beginning with Clemson-bound DJ Uiagalelei, the nation’s No. 1 QB, who is back for his senior year. He threw for 3,366 yards and 48 touchdowns and rushed for 213 yards and six more scores. RBs Keith Savage, Matt Colombo and Nathaniel Jones (UCLA) also return in the backfield. OG Drake Metcalf (6-3, 280) will sign with Stanford and OT Maximus Gibbs (6-6, 340) is only a junior and Earnest Greene III is a super sophomore. Kris Hutson (46 receptions for 844 yards, 13TDs), junior Beaux Collins and transfer Logan Loya comprise a dynamic receiving trio that will stretch the field. The defense is stout with LB Kourt Williams II (Ohio State), USC-recruit DT Kobe Pepe (6-3, 270), CB James Smith (Washington), S Jake Newman (UCLA) and S Jonathan Vaughns. Face it the SJB-Mater Dei winner in the sectional playoffs will have the inside track to the CAC 25 National Championship. They meet in the regular season on Oct. 25.

Opens: Opens: Aug. 24 vs. DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.).

2. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (13-2)

The Rub: The reigning CAC 25 National Champions graduated plenty but reloaded with hungry transfers and talented backups from last year’s California Open Division Bowl winners for the second straight year. USC-commit QB Bryce Young can sling it after tossing for 3,846 yards and 39 TDs and six INTs and he’ll hook up with WRs Kody Epps and CJ Williams and juniors Kyron Hudson-Ware and Cristian Dixon. Transfer RB Marceese Yetts joined the Monarchs from Narbonne (Harbor City) and junior Andre McDonald is the top returning ball carrier. The O-line features Washington-bound Myles Murao (6-2, 310) Washington and Tai Marks (6-2, 305). Defensively, it’s a group on bona fide athletes with S Zio Alefosio , DT Sefita Tupe, Jr. (6-2, 295) and LBs Kobah Faumatu, Moses Sepulona and Raesjon Davis (6-1, 210), while junior Jaylin Davies and Domani Jackson man the secondary.

Opens: Aug. 23 vs. No. 10 Corona Centennial.

3. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (9-1)

The Rub: Coach Joe Casamento is known for a high-powered passing offense and has the talent to operate it with efficiency. QB Sol-Jay Maiava (BYU recruit) is a productive passer and LSU-bound WR Rakim Jarrett (36 receptions, 782 yards, 11 TDs) is his favorite target. S/WR Mordecai McDaniel is an athletic two-way performer. After missing the latter portion of last season, elite LB Mekhail Sherman (Georgia) is back from injury and junior DE Tre Williams is his sidekick, who brings the heat. DE Greg Hudgins adds another layer of pass rush and will sign with Purdue. SJC plays the nation’s most difficult schedule with nationally ranked nonconference foes IMG Academy (Fla.), Duncanville (Texas) and No. 2 Mater Dei.

Opens: Opens: Aug. 24 vs. Southridge (Miami).

4. Duncanville, Texas (14-1)

The Rub: QB Ja’Quiden Jackson (Texas recruit) is one of the nation’s most exciting athletes that brings incendiary speed and a powerful right arm. Jackson combined for nearly 4,000 yards of offensive and 38 TDs. RB Trysten Smith (1,497, 23 TDs) is a valued runner and so is blossoming sophomore OL Cameron Williams (6-5, 315) and WR Zeriah Beason. Auburn-bound S Chris Thompson, Jr. (78 tackles) marshals the secondary for coach Reginald Samples and DT James Mitchell (5 sacks) anchors the defense that will retool but round into form in time for the playoffs. The Panthers host No. 3 St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.) on Sept. 14 in a national TV game. Ultimately, a return trip to the Class 6A, Division I title game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington is the plan and so is securing the hardware this time.

Opens: Aug. 30 at Lancaster.

5. North Shore, Galena Park, Texas (16-0)

The Rub: There won’t be any Cinderella stories in Class 6A, Division I, where the Mustangs under coach Jon Kay are the reigning title holders. Figure the Mustangs and Duncanville could meet again in the final with a handful of interlopers looking for an in. A rebuilt defense was the offseason focus because the high-powered attack featuring RB Zach Evans (1,784 yards and 29 TDs rushing) and dual-threat QB Dematrius Davis, who chalked up 3,368 yards and 43 TDs in the air and 421 yards and 5 scores on the ground, and WR Shadrach Banks (17 TD receptions). Miami-bound LB Corey Flagg, Jr. (116 tackles, 6 sacks) and DB Upton Stout (2 INT) pace the defense. OT Damieon George (6-7, 325) is committed to Alabama. The opening night should a doozy but the District 23-6A slate a cakewalk.

Opens: Aug. 29 vs. No. 22 Katy.

6. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (10-0)

The Rub: The Panthers ooze talent. Here’s the proof—six of Maryland’s top-10 rated players are on the roster. Check out DE Chris Braswell (Alabama), DT Dominic Bailey (Tennessee), DE Demon Clowney (LSU), RB Blake Corum (Michigan), S Jordan Toles (LSU) and LB Nikhai Hill-Green (Michigan). Throw in DB Al-Ma’hi Ali (UMass), OT Ja’Khi Green (Maryland), CB Luke Hill (Oregon), junior LB Aaron Willis, OG Micah Mazzucca (Michigan) and All-American LB Osman Savage (Michigan) and it’s plain why the defense will be nearly impossible to push around.

Opens: Aug. 24 at No. 11 Central (Miami) on ESPNU.

7. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (7-1)

The Rub: There’s always an abundance of talent at IMG, where transfers RB/LB Lovesea Carroll (South Carolina recruit) and DB Elias Ricks (LSU) are in the fold. Bolstering the running game is junior Chandler McGruder, Jack Codwell and freshman Xavier Terrell. WR Michael Redding III is off to Miami. Spearheading the defense is DT Jordan Butler (Vanderbilt), LB Ma’a Gaoteote, S Lejond Cavazos (Ohio State) and DT Warren Brinson (Georgia). Recently, WR Jermaine Burton (LSU) transferred back for his second stint on the Florida Gulf Coast. The schedule is booby-trapped with powerhouses such as Northwestern (Miami), St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia), St. Frances Academy (Baltimore) and Hoover (Ala.)

Opens: Aug. 23 at Venice.

8. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (13-2)

The Rub: Just when the Raiders were in line for another Class 7A state title, nemesis Lakeland halted those plans. Well, the Raiders left that disappointment in the rearview mirror move ahead with an exciting core including WR Marcus Rosemy (Georgia commit), OT Marcus Dumervil (6-5, 295), elite LB Derek Wingo (Miami), Jahvante Royal (Pittsburgh) and OT Marlon Martinez (LSU). Keep on eye on DE Tyreak Sapp (6-3, 260)—a future Florida Gator.

Opens: Aug. 23 vs. De La Salle (Concord, Calif.).

9. Eastside Catholic, Sammamish, Wash. (13-1)

The Rub: Coach Dominic Daste’s team is really stacked with wonderful athletes, including DT JT Tuimoloau (6-4, 280), the consensus top player from the Class of 2021 who registered 70 tackles, including 17 for loss, for the defending Class 3A champions. The offensive side of the ball has WR Gee Scott, Jr. (Ohio State recruit), RB/DB Sam Adams (Washington) and TE D’Andre Rogers (6-3, 240), while Ayden Hector (6-0, 185) is a lock-down CB and DT Jernias Tafia (6-4, 325) is nearly immovable up front. QB Michael Franklin threw for 1,868 yards and 22 TDs and Adams scored 17 TDs.

Opens: Sept. 6 vs. Grant Union (Sacramento, Calif.).

10. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (12-1)

The Rub: Whenever the Wolves take the field, expect the football to fly and the scoreboard operator to get a workout. Once they get into league play, the point totals are regularly scoring 50, 60 or 84 points (high total in 2018). The main pass catchers Gary Bryant, Jr., and Branden Alvarez—both big-time go-to players. DB Isaiah Young is a California recruit and one of the top secondary players on the West Coast and DE Korey Foreman (6-4, 245) is a future pro. Opening night will gauge where the Wolves stand but the CIF-Southern Section Open Division playoffs are the real test.

Opens: Aug. 23 at No. 2 Mater Dei (Santa Ana).

11. Central, Miami (11-3)

The Rub: The one-two backfield punch of junior RB Amari Daniels and QB Katravis Marsh (Utah recruit) will receive protection from OT Laurence Seymore (6-2, 300), a future Miami Hurricane. Meanwhile, DE Jesus Machado and DB Henry Clay are two of Miami Dade’s most feared defenders. Coach Roland Smith and crew will have their hands full on opening night on ESPNU but local Miami Dade games that follow against rivals Booker T. Washington (Miami) on Aug. 30 and Carol City (Miami Gardens) on Sept. 6 is one of the toughest three-game stretches anywhere. The Rockets are favorites in Florida’s competitive Class 6A.

Opens: Aug. 24 vs. No. 6 St. Frances Academy (Baltimore).

12. St. Joseph Regional, Montvale, N.J. (10-2)

The Rub: The Green Knights roll out four Big 10 recruits, including QB Michael Alaimo (Purdue), DE Amin Vanover, C Luke Wypler (Ohio State) and DB Elijuwan Mack (Rutgers). Alaimo hit on 102 of 186 passes for 1,450 yards, 13 scores. The junior class has RB Audric Estime, OT Geno Vandemark (6-6, 305) and DB Christian Abraham (6-0, 200). Estime leads a three-pronged running that also features Andre Epps and Te-Rai Powell. Capturing a second straight Non-Public A title is the goal but there are plenty of suitors for that crown.

Opens: Aug. 31 at JSerra (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) at The Honor Bowl in San Diego, Calif.

13. Lake Travis, Texas (12-2)

The Rub: Coach Hank Carter is the dean of Quarterback High and his latest disciple is Texas-bound signal-caller Hudson Card, who dissected defenses for 3,571 yards and 50 passing scores. Card has plenty of targets, including junior TE Lake McRee, Grayson Sandlin and dependable WR Kyle Eaves (1,045 yards, 14 scores). LBs Maui Trevino and Nick Villareal teamed for 252 tackles a year ago. The Cavaliers should have enough juice for a return trip to the Class 6A, Division I semifinals and that’s when Carter’s boys get to shine.

Opens: Aug. 30 vs. Arlington Martin.

14. Colquitt County, Norman Park, Ga. (14-1)

The Rub: Coach Justin Rogers takes over for embroiled and fired Rush Propst (119-35 in 11 years). Rogers is an offensive savant that operates a multiple formation spread offense that plays with pace—think a two-minute offense for 48 minutes. That means gobs of points from the Packers, who were Georgia’s most successful Class AAAAAAA team over the last decade, including titles in 2014 and ’15. Rogers will lead the Packers into the inferno known as Region 1. Rogers’ hiring gives QB Jaycee Harden (6-1, 185), who hit on 171 of 280 passes fro 2,498 and 22 TDs and only 7 INTs, a license to dissect defense. He’ll get help from TE Carter Boatwright (Florida State), WR Lemeke Brockington (30 receptions, 604 yards, 6 TDs)and blue-chip RB Daijun Edwards (1,480 yards, 26 TDs rushing). The defense is headed by DB NyQuaan Washington (5-11, 175) DE Nathan Bell (6-2, 240), who is back from a torn labrum, LB Biron Silas (6-1, 215) with 68 tackles, DE LaQuavion Haynes (6-4, 245, 8.5 sacks) and LB Gamal Wallace. OT Remon Young (6-2, 250) is emerging as a leader on the O-line.

Opens: Aug. 24 vs. North Gwinnett (Suwanee) at the Corky Kell Classic in Atlanta.

15. Saint Louis School, Honolulu (11-0)

The Rub: That 26-game win streak and run of three straight state championships is in good hands on defense with a talented linebacking corps of Jordan Botelho (Notre Dame commit), Nick Herbig (Wisconsin), Darrell Masaniai and Lawai’alani Brown (Central Michigan). Up front, DT Stanley Mckenzie (6-2, 270) is off to California. Dual-threat 6-1 QB Jayden de Laura (2,345 yards and 19 TDs passing and 10 scores rushing) will team with WRs Roman Wilson (Michigan) and Matt Sykes (UCLA) in a pass-first attack.

Opens: Aug. 15 at Kapolei.

16. Parkview, Lilburn, Ga. (11-1)

The Rub: The Panthers won the Region 7-AAAAAAA crown but crashed out in the second round of the Class AAAAAAA playoffs. That raises the bar with coveted RB Cody Brown, who rushed for a Gwinnett County best 1,588 yards and 25 TDs, and will wind up at a Power 5 program. Thee Panthers can throw it with QB Jordan Williams and WRs CJ Daniels and Elijah James. LB Kobe Wilson committed to Memphis and K/P Nolan McCord is a luxury. Another undefeated regular season will be tough to duplicate and navigating Georgia’s largest classification postseason is a challenged reserved for special teams. Coach Eric Godfree’s squad has the personnel to pull it off.

Opens: Aug. 23 at Mountain View (Lawrenceville).

17. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (13-0)

The Rub: Coach Tim Roken takes over for Gabe Infante, who is an assistant at Temple University. What’s most important is Roken relies on the triumvirate of juniors Kyle McCord (Ohio State) and Marvin Harrison, Jr. (dad is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame) and RB Kolbe Burrell. McCord is the reigning player of the year after passing for 2,884 yards and 35 TDs.

Opens: Aug. 30 at Marietta (Ga.).

18. Lakeland, Fla. (15-0)

The Rub: The defending Class 7A champions will feed the ball to productive Clemson-bound RB DeMarckus Bowman (2,422 yards, 36 yards TDs rushing), considered a Top-20 recruit who averages 11.2 yards per carry since 2017. DB/WR/KR Fenley Graham (Florida recruit) is a freakish, playmaking athlete who is dangerous once in the open field. The regular season schedule poses few threats but the postseason is a different story for the Dreadnaughts.

Opens: Aug. 23 at Manatee (Bradenton).

19. Archbishop Hoban, Akron, Ohio (15-0)

The Rub: Coach Tim Tyrrell’s quest to extend the win streak that sits at 29 straight games will feature Arizona State-bound RB DeaMontae Trayanum (1,313, 26 TDs), who also lines up on defense, TE Caden Clark (Alabama recruit) and junior QB Shane Hamm. LBs Devin Hightower (Michigan State) and junior Damon Ollison form two of the state’s top defensive pairings

Opens: Aug. 31 vs. Harrisburg (Pa.).

20. Saguaro, Scottsdale, Ariz. (13-1)

The Rub: Better think twice about throwing the football against the Sabercats; the secondary is nasty and airtight with lockdown CB Kelee Ringo (6-2, 205) lurking. LB Damian Sellers (6-4, 235) has Pac-12 school chasing and landed on the Butkus Award Preseason Watch List. Three others are staying in the Pac-12 OT Jaylan Jeffers (6-6, 265) committed to Oregon, K Parker Lewis (to USC) and LB Will Shaffer (Arizona State). A seventh straight state title is next with Salpointe Catholic (Tucson) waiting. The schedule is challenging but circle the Sept. 20 road game at Chaparral (Scottsdale) as must-see.

Opens: Aug. 23 vs. Poston Butte (San Tan Valley)

21. Marietta, Ga. (5-6)

The Rub: Last year was disastrous for the Blue Devils, who were, well, bedeviled by injuries and ineligibility. Fear not because there is a groundswell from Atlanta prep experts the Blue and Silver from Gwinnett County is in the mix for the Class AAAAAAA title. It starts with freakish athlete TE/WR/DE Arik Gilbert (88 receptions for 1,210 yards, 14 TDs). DL Labarron Kennedy, DL BJ Ojulari (6-3, 215), S Rashad Torrence (Florida), sophomore DB/WR Andre Stewart and DB Dawson Ellington are raring to go. Tennessee-bound QB Harrison Bailey can sling it and RBs Kimani Vidal (Troy) and Ebony Jackson (Maryland) can scoot, and OT Jake Wray (6-5, 290) is a road grader.

Opens: Aug. 23 at Rome in Corky Kell Classic.

22. Katy, Texas (11-2)

The Rub: The Tigers return nine starters, including five on offense. An experience O-line will need to give QB Bronson McClelland (1,993 yards, 27 TDs passing) time to operate. That opening night game will set the tone for coach Gary Joseph’s team. A win the defending state champion vaults them into the Top 10.

Opens: Aug. 29 at No. 5 North Shore (Galena Park).

23. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (11-3)

The Rub: It was a perfect “10” as in consecutive state titles registered for the Gaels last December. This time the main combination is about Penn State-bound QB Micah Bowens and 6-4 WR Donovan Smith (Texas Tech). Bowens threw for 2,770 yards and 29 TDs and rushed for 927 yards and 15 scores on 100 carries.

Opens: Aug. 23 vs. Orem (Utah).

24. Gonzaga, Washington, D.C (9-3)

The Rub: The O-line is the real story on Eye Street with T Olu Fashanu (Penn State), C Luke Pettibon (Wake Forest), Jestus Johnson (Virginia) and Patrick Matan (North Carolina State) punching holes into the defensive front and keeping elusive junior QB Caleb Williams upright. That effort will be needed to successfully defend the WCAC title.

Opens: Aug. 30 vs. American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.).

25 Dutch Fork, Irmo, S.C. (13-0)

The Rub: Coach Tommy Knotts is an offensive visionary and that’s why the Silver Foxes have won three straight Class AAAAA titles. QB Tyler Olenchuk, who is a Clemson baseball recruit, passed for 3,413 yards and 38 TDs and ran for seven more scores. RB Ron Hoff (1,074 yards, 25 TDs rushing) and WR Jalin Hyatt (21 TDs receptions) will assist their signal-caller. Opening night is a dream matchup for football buffs in the Carolinas.

Opens: Aug. 23 vs. Mallard Creek (Charlotte, N.C.).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (8-3)
2. Bergen Catholic, Oradell, N.J. (10-2)
3. Good Counsel, Olney, Md. (6-4)
4. Highland Springs, Va. (15-0)
5. Central Catholic, Pittsburgh (7-4)

Geography: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia.

Midwest

1. St. Edward, Lakewood, Ohio (11-3)
2. Martin Luther King, Detroit (12-2)
3. Pickerington (Ohio) Central (11-3)
4. Nazareth Academy, LaGrange Park, Ill. (12-1)
5. Carmel, Ind. (11-3)

Geography:Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Southland

1. Allen, Texas (14-1)
2. Longview, Texas (16-0)
3. John Curtis Christian, River Ridge, La. (13-0)
4. Phenix City (Ala.) Central (14-0)
5. Broken Arrow, Okla. (13-0)

Geography: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

Far West

1. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (12-1)
2. Folsom, Calif. (14-1)
3. Bingham, South Jordan, Utah (10-2)
4. Narbonne, Harbor City, Calif. (10-4)
5. JSerra, San Juan Capistrano, Calif. (9-3)

Geography: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

About: The Blue Star Media Elite 25 High School Football Rankings are released weekly from September until the conclusion of the high school season. Criteria considered are the quality of the team and its players, strength of schedule, tradition, and quality of the team’s league, conference, region or district. The rankings are compiled by Blue Star Media’s Christopher Lawlor, who consults with a national network of coaches, talent evaluators and prep sports writers. The final rankings will be released on December 24. Follow him on Twitter at @clawlor.