“THE GAME ’24”: Anticipated showdown between No. 1 Mater Dei (CA) and No. 2 St. John Bosco (CA) will shake the top of Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings

BENSALEM, Pa. –  Whenever “The Game” is played between the nation’s top two teams, it’s special. When it pits two undefeated teams it’s beyond special.

Call the No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)-No. 2 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) game extraordinary because simply it is. And on Friday night at the Santa Ana Stadium in Orange County, the bright lights will be brighter and the intensity and the magnitude of the contest will resonate nationwide in the Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings. Kickoff is 7 p.m. PT.

A few thoughts about the rivalry that has really blossomed this century.

In the last four years (2020 pandemic season excluded), the teams have been crowned the Blue Star Media Elite 25 National Champions four times.

Last year, Bosco won the regular season game and the Trinity League championship but the Monarchs turned the tables in the California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section Division 1 final. They would eventually win the CIF Open Division Bowl in a landslide and the nation’s top prize.

Last week, Bosco coach Jason Negro announced starting quarterback Matai Fuiava left the team and moved to Hawaii. Apparently, he’s transferring to powerhouse Kahuku, it has been reported. Freshman Koa Malau’ulu has the keys to Braves offense and is already 2-0 as starter, beating Servite (Anaheim) last Friday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood and No. 24 Orange Lutheran. Malau’ulu will get a baptism by fire against the Monarchs, who might have the top defense in the nation.

For tickets, they are available online starting Monday, Oct. 21. Better hurry.

Although the focus will be on Southern California this weekend, there are other noteworthy games with implications.

In Texas, No. 7 North Shore (Galena Park) visits No. 16 Humble Atascocita Friday 7 p.m. CT at Turner Stadium. The winner is in line to capture the District 23-6A championship and a very favorable seed when the UIL Class 6A bi-district playoff pairings are announced in November.

No. 19 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) hosts American Heritage (Plantation) Friday in a game that is a playoff primer for both teams. Aquinas is 7-2 and American Heritage, which was ranked in the Elite 25 preseason, are 4-4 with all four losses to nationally ranked teams. Aquinas won the District 15-5A title.

In New Jersey, No. 10 Bergen Catholic (Oradell) has another slobberknocker in the Super Football Conference United Red Division at rival St. Joseph Regional (Montvale) Saturday at 1 p.m. ET at Tony Karcich Field. The Crusaders (6-1) are rolling toward a fourth consecutive NJSIAA Non-Public A state championship. The Green Knights (5-2) are seeking a share of the league title with two games left in the regular season. Bergen leads the all-time series between the all-male Catholic schools, 36-19. They could meet again in the Non-Public A playoffs in November.

As for the Elite 25, there was no movement, only stability. No one lost, just winners. The playoffs get underway in Indiana, Hawaii and Utah with several states heading into their final regular season weekend.

Elsewhere, we hail the first state champions of the 2024 season. In Alaska, Homer stopped Kenai Central, 16-0, Saturday for the Division III crown. Congratulations to the Mariners, who avenged two regular season losses to Kenai and finished 5-5. Two more Alaska championship games in Divisions I and II on Friday and Saturday at Colony High School in Palmer. We’ll have those results next time.

 That’s it for another week. The Blue Star Media Elite 25 rankings return on Oct. 29.

I’m Just Saying: Cleveland rocked on Saturday night. The Yankees won their record 41^st  American League championship and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted its latest class. Still don’t understand why The Kinks aren’t in yet. As the lead singer Ray Davies belted out in a famous rock ditty, “You Really Got Me.”

Also, our World Series prediction of the Yankees and Dodgers came to fruition on Sunday night. As for the World Series, it’s pick’em with the Yankees in seven games.

Please donate to the relief efforts for the recent hurricanes at the Red Cross. No amount is too small.

Bye for now.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 High School Football Rankings, Oct. 22, 2024

1. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (7-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Recap: Defeated JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano), 41-17. Washington commit QB Dash Beierly tossed three touchdown passes and ran for another. Finally, The Game is here!

Next: Friday vs. No. 2 St. John Bosco (Bellflower).

2. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (8-0)

Previous: 2.

Recap: Defeated Servite (Anaheim), 27-17, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. Freshman QB Koa Malau’ulu passed for three TDs. This upcoming weekend will be different.

Next: Friday at No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana).

3. Duncanville, Texas (6-0)

Previous: 3.

Recap: Defeated Lancaster, 41-7. Zach Turner had eight receptions for 159 yards and three TDs and QB Keelon Russell completed 21 of 31 passes for 252 yards and four scores. The Panthers led 28-7 at the break.

Next: Friday at Mesquite Horn.

4. Milton, Alpharetta, Ga. (8-0)

Previous: 4.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday vs. Johns Creek.

5. North Crowley, Fort Worth, Texas (7-0)

Previous: 5.

Recap: Defeated Weatherford, 62-6. QB Chris Jimerson Jr. threw for 281 yards and five TDs.

Next: Friday at Saginaw Boswell.

6. Carrollton, Ga. (9-0)

Previous: 6.

Recap: Defeated Chapel Hill (Douglasville), 63-10.

Next: Nov. 1 at Douglas County (Douglasville).

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

Previous: 7.

Recap: Defeated Channelview, 55-6. The District 23-6A title is on the line this weekend.

Next: Friday at No. 16 Humble Atascocita.

8. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (7-1)

Previous: 8.

Recap: Defeated Basic (Henderson), 63-0.

Next: Thursday vs. Desert Pines (Las Vegas).

9. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (5-1)

Previous: 9.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday at East St. Louis (Ill.).

10. Bergen Catholic, Oradell, N.J. (6-1)

Previous: 10.

Recap: Defeated Delbarton (Morristown), 42-13. QB Dominic Campanile threw for 241 yards and three TDs to three different receivers and RB Najee Calhoun ran for scores of 9 and 44 yards to bust open a 7-6 game in the third quarter. The Crusaders renew one of the nation’s top rivalries this weekend. The two could meet again next month in the Non-Public A playoffs.

Next: Saturday at St. Joseph Regional (Montvale).

11. Buford, Ga. (7-1)

Previous: 11.

Recap: Defeated Central Gwinnett (Lawrenceville), 50-0. In the last three games, the Wolves have conceded seven points. Two regional games are left in the regular season.

Next: Friday at Mountain View (Lawrenceville).

12. Mission Viejo, Calif. (8-0)

Previous: 12.

Recap: Defeated San Clemente, 23-7.

Next: Friday vs. Edison (Huntington Beach).

13. Gaffney, S.C. (6-0)

Previous: 13.

Recap: Defeated Riverside (Greer), 28-21.

Next: Friday vs. Dorman (Roebuck).

14. Corner Canyon, Draper, Utah (9-1)

Previous: 14.

Recap: Defeated Herriman, 42-7. The Charger clinched the Region 2 title. RB Bryce Benson ran for scores of 20, 17 and 12 yards. QB Bronson Evans passed for two scores in the first half.

The Chargers close out the regular this weekend. The Chargers earned the top seed in the Class 6A state playoffs and a bye to the second round.

Next: Nov. 1 vs. Westlake (Saratoga Springs) or Copper Hills (West Jordan) in Class 6A second round.

15. Archbishop Spalding, Severn, Md. (8-0)

Previous: 15.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday vs. Loyola Blakefield (Towson).

16. Atascocita, Humble, Texas (7-0)

Previous: 16.

Recap: Edged Humble Kingwood, 42-41. The District 23-6A title is up for grabs.

Next: Friday vs. No. 7n North Shore (Galena Park).

17. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (6-2)

Previous: 17.

Recap: Defeated Murrieta Valley (Murrieta), 28-9. Sophomore RB Braylin Drake ran for 126 yards and three TDs as the Huskies won for the sixth straight game. Matt Logan won his 292^nd game, tying him for most wins by an Inland Empire coach. Two games are left in the regular season.

Next: Friday vs. Norco.

18. Chaminade-Madonna College Prep, Hollywood, Fla. (7-2)

Previous: 18.

Recap: Shut out Avant Garde Academy (Hollywood), 56-0. The Lions have one game left in the regular season.

Next: Friday vs. Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale).

19. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (7-2)

Previous: 19.

Recap: Defeated Monarch (Coconut Creek), 44-6. The Raiders led 15-0 after one quarter and 30-0 at halftime.

Next: Friday vs. American Heritage (Plantation).

20. DePaul Catholic, Wayne, N.J. (7-0)

Previous: 20.

Recap: Defeated St. Peter’s Prep (Jersey City), 54-21, at Hinchliffe Stadium in Paterson. QB Derek Zammit threw for 110 yards and four scores. The Spartans rolled to a 41-15 lead at the break and had more than 300 yards of offense with Notre Dame-bound WR Elijah Burress snaring two TD receptions.

Next: Friday vs. Delbarton (Morristown).

21. Belleville, Mich. (8-0)

Previous: 21.

Recap: Defeated Dearborn Fordson, 31-0. It’s a crossover game between two unbeatens from the Detroit area and Kensington Lakes Athletic Association.

Next: Friday vs. Howell.

22. North Gwinnett, Suwanee, Ga. (8-0)

Previous: 22.

Recap: Defeated Meadowcreek (Suwanee), 55-6.

Next: Friday vs. Norcross.

23. La Salle College, Wyndmoor, Pa. (9-0)

Previous: 23.

Recap: Defeated Father Judge (Philadelphia), 42-0. The Explorers recorded their second shutout.

Next: Saturday vs. Roman Catholic (Philadelphia) to be played at Springfield High School.

24. Orange (Calif.) Lutheran (6-2)

Previous: 24.

Recap: Defeated Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita), 13-10. With scored tied at 10 late in the fourth quarter, Aiden Migirdichian booted a 20-yard field goal to win it. Steve Chavez ran 9 yards for a score in the third quarter to make it 10-0.

Next: Friday vs. Servite (Anaheim) to be played at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa.

25. Liberty, Peoria, Ariz. (6-1)

Previous: 25.

Recap: Defeated Salpointe Catholic (Tucson), 34-24. The Lions recorded a quality road win and have the same situation again this weekend closer to home.

Next: Friday at Saguaro (Scottsdale).

Dropped: None.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (5-2)
2. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (6-1)
3. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (5-3)
4. Imhotep Prep Charter, Philadelphia (8-1)
5. Oscar Smith, Chesapeake, Va. (7-0)

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

Midwest

1. East St. Louis, Ill. (8-0)
2. Lincoln-Way East, Frankfort, Ill. (8-0)
3. Mentor, Ohio (9-0)
4. Cardinal Ritter College Prep, St. Louis (7-0)
5. Kimberly, Wis. (7-0)

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

Southland

1. Lakeland, Fla. (6-0)
2. Venice, Fla. (7-1)
3. Central, Miami (6-1)
4. Boyle County, Danville, Ky. (8-0)
5. Norland, Miami (6-2)

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

Far West

1. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (7-0)
2. Basha, Chandler, Ariz, (6-1)
3. Campbell, Ewa Beach, Hawaii (8-0)
4. Servite, Anaheim, Calif. (6-2)
5. Lake Oswego, Ore. (7-0)

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

Records are through Sunday

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. The final rankings will be released in December of the 2024 season. Follow him on X at @clawlor.