No. 1 Mater Dei (CA) wins showdown, one win away from Blue Star Media Elite 25 football national title; chaos in Georgia’s top classification as three are upended

BENSALEM, Pa. – There is a new No. 1 team in the Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings but quite the one most may assume.

Actually, the Mater Dei Monarchs of Santa Ana, California, who was top-ranked earlier this season is back atop the Elite 25 after knocking off bitter rivals No. 4 St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 35-7, in the California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section Division 1 final before 11,622 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

The game changed in the first quarter with the Braves driving and riding the momentum. However, those plans were dashed when junior linebacker Abduall Sanders intercepted a pass and took it to the house from 51 yards. Another rushing touchdown in the second quarter gave the Monarchs a 14-0 lead and it was over.

The Braves, who finished 11-2 and won the Trinity League title over Mater Dei, cut it to 21-7 in the third when Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa caught a 17-yard TD pass. The Monarchs added two scores in the fourth, including a second pick-six by Zabien Brown.

Up next is for the Monarchs is Serra (San Mateo) in the CIF Open Division Bowl game on Dec. 9 in Mission Viejo. Serra (12-0) lost to the Braves, 45-0, in last year’s Open Bowl final.

In Georgia, the Class AAAAAAA bracket was torn asunder in the quarterfinal last Friday. Three of four teams from the Elite 25 rankings were upended. No. 12 Walton (Marietta, Ga.) was the lone team to win after scorching Carrollton, 56-35. Meanwhile No. 20 Buford and No. 21 Colquitt County (Norman Park) fell in close games but then-No. 6 Mill Creek (Hoschton) saw its unbeaten season go up in flames during a 39-20 blowout loss against Camden County (Kingsland).

Despite the setbacks, Colquitt County and Buford remain in the Elite 25 but Mill Creek gets dumped. That allows No. 23 Serra to enter.

Heading south along the Atlantic coast, Florida’s Class 2M semifinals feature an Elite 25 flavor with No. 17 Norland (Miami) and No. 15 American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) on opposite sides of the bracket but each a win away from the state final. Friday night each host semifinal games and will be heavily favored to play in Tallahassee Dec. 7-9 in the state final. No date has been announced. Otherwise, No. 5 Chaminade-Madonna College Prep (Hollywood) and No. 8 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) also won and are rolling.

No. 2 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) cruised to the Nevada Class 5A, Division 1 state championship. The Gaels (12-0) have won 13 of the last 14 titles in Nevada’s largest classification. The Gaels rarely have competition within their state but did claim two wins over Elite 25 teams, including a state champion from Utah.

So far, two teams from the Elite 25 have been crowned state champions. Texas, California, Georgia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio and Florida will add to that total. The final Elite 25 order is far from over and No. 1 is not settled.

This week the action shifts to New Jersey, Colorado, Ohio and Oklahoma for state championship games.

No. 22 Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) plays Delbarton (Morristown) in a rare midweek game for the Non-Public A state final Tuesday (8 p.m. ET) at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. Bundle up because it will be chilly in the Meadowlands. The opening game is DePaul Catholic (Wayne) vs. Red Bank Catholic for the Non-Public B title. The Campanile brothers, Vito at BC, and Nick at DePaul, look to do the brotherly repeat in their respective groups.

In Ohio, there are six state championships this weekend, starting Thursday for three days at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.

Perhaps the top game of the weekend will be played Thursday at 7 p.m. ET when No. 18 Massillon Washington faces Archbishop Hoban (Akron) in Division II. There are two more Friday capped by No. 19 St. Edward (Lakewood) vs. Springfield In Division I at 7:30 p.m. Three games conclude the weekend beginning Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m.

No. 13 Bixby (Okla.) goes for a sixth consecutive state title Friday against Jenks at Richison Stadium in Edmond. The Spartans’ high-powered offense has put up 59 and 56 points in two Class 6A-I playoff games. The teams met in the regular season finale with the Spartans prevailing, 31-14, or their tightest game all season.

No. 14 Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village, Colo.) and Columbine (Littleton) hook Saturday for the Colorado Class 5A championship in a dream meeting of top two unbeaten seeds. Cherry Creek, coached by former Denver Broncos tight end and current Broncos radio analyst Dave Logan, seeks a fifth straight title and 14^th in program history.

Finally, the Butkus Foundation has named five of the nation’s best high school linebackers Butkus Award® finalists for the 2023 season.

The winner will be named on or before Dec. 6.

“The five finalists embody the toughness, grit, football temperament and play making ability that the Butkus Award seeks to recognize. It’s my honor to present our finalists, on behalf of my dad, as chosen by our selection committee,” Matt Butkus said. “There are many very deserving candidates. These linebackers represent the most exceptional and have very bright futures ahead.”

The 2023 Butkus Award winners will be honored at an event on Jan. 27, 2024, at the Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage, Calif. The event will memorialize namesake Dick Butkus and feature numerous noted NFL alumni.

Following are the semifinalist selections: Sammy Brown, Jefferson (Ga.); Payton Pierce, Lovejoy (Lucas, Texas)); Brayden Platt, Yelm (Wash.): Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) and Justin Williams, Oak Ridge (Conroe, Texas).

Best to the high school’s final five.

Well, that’s it for the month of November. We’re than a month out from Christmas.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings return on Dec. 5. The final rankings drop on Dec. 19 or earlier. Bet on the latter.

Be safe. We hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Football Rankings, Nov. 28, 2023

1. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (12-1)

Previous rank: 3.

Recap: Defeated No. 1 St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 35-7, in CIF-Southern Section Division 1 final. LB Abduall Sanders’  51-yard pick six in the first quarter gave the Monarchs a 7-0 lead and then RB Jordan Davison ran 10 yards for another touchdown and a 14-0 edge at the interval.

Next: Nov. 9 vs. No. 23 Serra (San Mateo) in CIF Open Bowl game to be played at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo.

2. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (12-0)^*

Previous: 2.

Recap: Defeated Liberty (Henderson), 56-11, in Class 5A, Division 1 final. Hawaii-bound QB Micah Alejado passed for 250 yards and three TDs and rushed for another in the fourth quarter. It was the Gaels’ 20^th state championship as they have won 13 of the last 14 titles in Nevada’s largest classification. Season complete.

3. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (9-0)

Previous: 4.

Recap: Season complete.

4. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (11-2)

Previous: 1.

Recap: Lost to then-No. 3 Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 35-7, in CIF-Southern Section Division 1 final. The Braves were held to minus-1 yard of rushing in the opening half. In the previous meeting, the Braves won 28-0 but this time they were manhandled by an aggressive defense. Season complete.

5. Chaminade-Madonna College Prep, Hollywood, Fla. (12-0)

Previous: 5.

Recap: Defeated Cardinal Newman (West Palm Beach), 40-0, in Class 1M, Region 3 final.

Next: Friday vs. Archbishop Carroll (Miami) in Class 1M semifinals.

6. DeSoto, Texas (12-0)

Previous: 7.

Recap: Defeated Willis, 65-31, in Class 6A, Division II Region 2 semifinals.

Next: Friday vs. Cedar Hill in Class 6A, Division II, Region 2 final to be played at Kincaide Stadium in Dallas.

7. North Shore, Galena Park, Texas (13-0)

Previous: 8.

Recap: Defeated Cy-Fair (Cypress), 45-9, in Class 6A, Division I Region 3 semifinals.

Next: Saturday vs. Humble Atascocita in Class 6A, Division I Region 3 final to be played at Pasadena’s Veterans Memorial Stadium.

8. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (12-1)

Previous: 9.

Recap: Shut out Coconut Creek, 28-0, in Class 3M, Region 3 final. The Raiders will host another important game the weekend.

Next: Friday vs. Gaither (Tampa) in Class 3M state semifinals.

9. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (11-1)

Previous: 10.

Recap: Defeated Nazareth Area, 59-21, in PIAA Class AAAAAA quarterfinals.

Next: Saturday vs. Central Bucks South (Warrington) in Class AAAAAA semifinals to be played at North Penn High School in Lansdale.

10. Westlake, Austin, Texas (13-0)

Previous: 12.

Recap: Defeated Laredo United, 59-14, in Class 6A, Division I Region 4 semifinals. The Chaps play their district archrivals this weekend for the second time this season.

Next: Saturday vs. Lake Travis (Austin) in Class 6A, Division I, Region 4 final in Pflugerville.

11. Duncanville, Texas (11-1)

Previous: 14.

Recap: Defeated The Woodlands, 49-21, in Class 6A, Division I, Region II semifinals. Caden Durham ran 26 times for 297 yards and junior QB Keelon Russell totaled 272 yards and three TDs.

Next: Saturday vs. Spring Westfield in Class 6A, Division I, Region II final at Round Rock’s Reeves Stadium.

12. Walton, Marietta, Ga. (13-0)

Previous: 15.

Recap: Defeated Carrollton, 56-35, in Class AAAAAAAA quarterfinals.

Next: Friday vs. Camden County (Kingsland) in Class AAAAAAA semifinals.

13. Bixby, Okla. (12-0)

Previous: 16.

Recap: Defeated Owasso, 56-14, in Class 6A-I semifinals.

Next: Friday vs. Jenks in Class 6A-I final to be played in Richison Stadium in Edmond.

14. Cherry Creek, Greenwood Village, Colo. (13-0)

Previous: 17.

Recap: Defeated Ralston Valley (Arvada), 21-14, in Class 5A semifinals. The Bruins face another 13-0 team for the pursuit of  fifth straight title. And 14^th overall.

Next: Saturday vs. Columbine (Littleton) in Class 5A final to be played a Colorado State’s Canvas Stadium in Fort Collins.

15. American Heritage, Plantation, Fla. (10-1)

Previous: 18.

Recap: Defeated Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale), 47-35, in Class 2M, Region 3 final.

Next: Friday vs. Berkeley Prep (Tampa) in Class 2M state semifinals.

16. Corner Canyon, Draper, Utah (13-1)*

Previous: 19.

Recap: Won Class 6A state championship. Season complete.

17. Norland, Miami (13-0)

Previous: 20.

Recap: Defeated Central (Miami), 31-28, in Class 2M, in Region 4 final.

Next: Friday vs. Bolles School (Jacksonville) in Class 2M state semifinals.

18. Massillon (Ohio) Washington (15-0)

Previous: 21.

Recap: Defeated Cincinnati Anderson, 55-7, in Division II semifinals.

Next: Thursday vs. Archbishop Hoban (Akron) in Division II final to be played at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.

19. St. Edward, Lakewood, Ohio (14-1)

Previous: 22.

Recap: Defeated Hilliard Bradley, 26-3 in Division I semifinals.

Next: Friday vs. Springfield in Division I final to be played at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.

20. Buford, Ga. (11-2)

Previous: 11.

Recap: Lost to Grayson (Loganville), 19-14, in Class AAAAAAA quarterfinals. Season complete.

21. Colquitt County, Norman Park, Ga. (12-1)

Previous: 13.

Recap: Upset by Milton (Alpharetta), 39-37, in Class AAAAAAA quarterfinals. Season complete.

22. Bergen Catholic, Oradell, N.J. (10-1)

Previous: 23.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Tuesday vs. Delbarton (Morristown) in Non-Public A final to be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.

23. Serra, San Mateo, Calif. (12-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Defeated Wilcox (Santa Clara), 63-27, in CIF-Central Coast Open Division on Nov. 17. The Padres have a date with the nation’s top-ranked team in the state final.

Next: Dec. 9 vs. No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana) in CIF Open Division Bowl game to be played at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo.

24. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (11-1)

Previous: 24.

Recap: Advanced to CIF-Southern Section Division 1 semifinals. Season complete.

25. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (9-3)

Previous: 25.

Recap: Advanced to CIF-Southern Section Division 1 semifinals. Season complete.

Dropped: No. 6 Mill Creek (Hoschton, Ga.).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Imhotep Institute Prep, Philadelphia (13-0)
2. Good Counsel, Olney, Md. (10-1)*
3. Freedom, Woodbridge, Va. (12-0)
4. Bishop McDevitt, Harrisburg, Pa. (13-0)
5. Central Bucks South, Warrington, Pa. (13-1)

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

Midwest

1. Loyola Academy, Wilmette, Ill. (14-0)*
2. Mount Carmel, Chicago (13-1)*
3. Southfield (Mich.) A&T (13-1)*
4. Archbishop Hoban, Akron, Ohio (13-1)
5. Southeast Polk, Pleasant Hill, Iowa (13-0)*

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

Southland

1. Clay-Chalkville, Pinson, Ala. (12-0)
2. Milton, Alpharetta, Ga. (11-2)
3. Grayson, Loganville, Ga. (11-2)
4. Mill Creek, Hoschton, Ga. (12-1)
5. Central, Miami (8-4)

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

Far West

1. Liberty, Peoria, Ariz. (11-1)
2. Centennial, Peoria, Ariz. (11-1)
3. Graham (Wash.)-Kapowsin (13-0)
4. Central Catholic, Portland, Ore. (13-0)*
5. Kahuku, Hawaii (11-2)^*

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

* Denotes a state or conference postseason champion

^ Includes forfeit victories

Records are through Sunday’s games.

About: The Blue Star Media Elite 25 High School Football Rankings are released weekly from August 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. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @clawlor.