IMPERIAL VICTORY: No. 1 Mater Dei Monarchs (CA) win CIF State Open Division crown; Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings enter final week with Texas and Georgia title games on tap

BENSALEM, Pa. – The Monarchs of Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California are on the verge of greatness. It’s no denying the southern California high school football powerhouse is a week out from clinching another Blue Star Media Elite 25 National Championship.

Barring anything crazy during the final week of the season in Texas and Georgia, the Monarchs will continue to wear the crown. Coach Raul Lara’s team achieved perfection, completing a 13-0 campaign after defeating No. 14 De La Salle (Concord), 37-15, in the California Interscholastic Federation State Open Division final. The Monarchs were up 23-0 only to see the Spartans pull within eight points at 23-15 in the third quarter. The Monarchs closed with 14 straights in the fourth to capture their fifth state bowl championship since 2017—all in the Open Division.

The Monarchs won the Open Division for the second consecutive year. It is the second time they accomplished it in program history with the first back-to-back occurring in 2017-18 and have secured the No. 1 ranking going wire to wire.

However, two teams will have something to say about it this week.

In Atlanta, No. 2 Milton (Alpharetta, Ga.) meets Langston Hughes (Fairburn) Tuesday night inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the GHSA Class AAAAA championship. The Indians (13-0) have rolled their competition this fall but Hughes is a formidable foe.

Last weekend, No. 3 North Crowley (Fort Worth, Texas) pulled off a shocker when it stopped then-No. 2 Duncanville, 36-34, in the UIL Class 6A, Division I state semifinals. QB Chris Jimerson Jr. completed 11 of 17 passes for 185 yards and four TDs with two going to WR Quentin Gibson.

Up next is No. 7 Westlake (Austin) Saturday night in Class 6A, Division I final to be played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. The Chaps (14-1) crushed No. 10 North Shore (Galena Park), 35-10, in the other semifinal.

The high school state finals will take over AT&T Stadium, home of the Cowboys, this week. The schedule is something made in football junkie heaven. The ticket information for the four days of football is here.

The Georgia High School Association will stage 12 games—four each day for three straight days—inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium or home of the Falcons. The games started on Monday, Dec. 16 with girls’ flag football title games on the docket too. Tickets are here.

As for the second weekend in December, there is one addition from Florida, where No. 18 American Heritage (Plantation) re-enters after winning the Class 4A state championship and finishing off a 12-2 season after beating Jones (Orlando), 40-31, in the final.

Seven teams remained the same; 10 dropped with one going down seven slots and seven went up with No. 7 Westlake (Austin, Texas) vaulting ascending 12 positions after pulling off a surprise win in the Texas semifinals. Additionally, 12 teams have claimed state or conference postseason titles. Four teams from the Elite 25 are playing for state championships in Texas and Georgia.

We’re out of here. The Blue Star Media Elite 25 final rankings will be released on Sunday, Dec. 22. I say it every year but time flies when you are having fun and high school football is just that.

I’m Just Saying: Feeling generous? Think about supporting the year-round work of Marine Toys for Tots and make a lasting impact in the lives of disadvantaged children. With your generous donation, the United States Marine Corps can continue their mission of providing toys, books, and emotional support to those who need hope the most. A contribution goes beyond the holiday season, ensuring that children experience the joy of play and the power of imagination throughout the year. Donate here.

Finally, don’t forget to donate to the relief efforts for those who were affected by hurricanes this fall in the Carolinas and along the East Coast. Go to the American Red Cross. No amount is too small.

Happy Holidays!

Bye for now.

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

 Blue Star Media Elite 25 High School Football Rankings, Dec. 17, 2024

1. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (13-0)*

Previous rank: 1.

Recap: Won a second straight CIF Open Division state championship, defeating No. 14 De La Salle (Concord), 37-15, in the final. Washington-bound QB Dash Beierly completed 18 of 27 passes for a season-high 355 yards and three touchdowns. Season complete.

2. Milton, Alpharetta, Ga. (13-0)

Previous: 3.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Tuesday vs. Langston Hughes (Fairburn) in Class AAAAA final to be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

3. North Crowley, Fort Worth, Texas (15-0)

Previous: 4.

Recap: Defeated then-No. 2 Duncanville, 36-34, in the Class 6A, Division I semifinals. QB Chris Jimerson Jr. completed 11 of 17 passes for 185 yards and four TDs with two going to WR Quentin Gibson. Cornelius Warren rushed for 178 yards and a TD on 42 carries.

Next: Saturday vs. No. 7 Westlake (Austin) in Class 6A, Division I final to be played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

4. Carrollton, Ga. (14-0)

Previous: 5.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Wednesday vs. Grayson (Loganville) in Class AAAAAA final at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

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

Previous: 7.

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

6. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (11-1)*

Previous: 8.

Recap: Won the Class 5A, Division 1 state championship. Season complete.

7. Westlake, Austin, Texas (14-1)

Previous: 19.

Recap: Defeated No. 6 North Shore (Galena Park), 35-10, in Class 6A, Division I state semifinals. The Chaps led 14-3 after one quarter and 21-10 by halftime.

Next: Saturday vs. No. 3 North Crowley (Fort Worth) in Class 6A, Division I final to be played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

8. Bergen Catholic, Oradell, N.J. (11-1)*

Previous: 9.

Recap: Won a fourth consecutive NJSIAA Non-Public A state championship. Season complete.

9. Duncanville, Texas (13-1)

Previous: 2.

Recap: Lost to then-No. 4 North Crowley (Fort Worth), 36-34, in Class 6A, Division I state semifinals. Season complete.

10. North Shore, Galena Park, Texas (14-1)

Previous: 6.

Recap: Lost to then-No. 19 Westlake (Austin), 35-10, in Class 6A, Division I state semifinals. Season complete.

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

Previous: 10.

Recap: Won a second consecutive Class 6A state champion. Season complete.

12. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (7-2)

Previous: 11.

Recap: Season complete.

13. Archbishop Spalding, Severn, Md. (12-0)*

Previous: 12.

Recap: Won a third consecutive MIAA A Conference championship. Season complete.

14. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (12-1)

Previous: 13.

Recap: Lost to No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 37-15, in CIF Open Division final. The Spartans pulled within 23-15 in the third quarter but surrendered 14 points in fourth. Season complete.

15. Buford, Ga. (12-2)

Previous: 14.

Recap: Advanced to Class AAAAAA semifinals. Season complete.

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

Previous: 15.

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

17. Chaminade-Madonna College Prep, Hollywood, Fla. (13-2)*

Previous: 16.

Recap: Won Class 1A state championship, defeating Clearwater Central Catholic, 42-7, in the final. QB Tyler Chance completed 15 of 20 passes for 192 yards and three TDs to three different receivers. The Lions never trailed and were up 7-0 after one quarter and 14-0 at halftime before scoring 14 points in each of the final two quarters. It was the Lions’ fourth straight state crown. Season complete.

18. American Heritage, Plantation, Fla. (12-2)*

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Won Class 4A state championship, defeating Jones (Orlando), 40-31, in the final. Season complete.

19. Liberty, Peoria, Ariz. (12-1)*

Previous: 18.

Recap: Won AIA Open Division state championship. Season complete.

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

Previous: 20.

Recap: Won Class AAAAA state championship, defeating Summerville, 35-21, in the final. RB Maurice Anderson rushed for 146 yards and three TDs as the Silver Foxes won a third straight state title and ninth since 2013. It was the 16^th state crown for coach Tommy Knotts with seven coming at Independence (Charlotte, N.C.). Season complete.

21. Mission Viejo, Calif. (10-1)

Previous: 21.

Recap: Season complete.

22. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (10-1)*

Previous: 22.

Recap: Won the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship. Season complete.

23. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (12-2)*

Previous: 23.

Recap: Won the PIAA Class 6A state championship for the third straight season. Season complete.

24. Orange (Calif.) Lutheran (8-4)

Previous: 24.

Recap: Advanced to in CIF-Southern Section, Division 1 semifinals.

25. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (12-3)*

Previous: 25.

Recap: Won Class 5A state championship, defeating ten-No. 17 Lakeland, 34-0, in the final. It was the Raiders’ sixth consecutive state title. Season complete.

Dropped: No. 17 Lakeland (Fla.).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (8-3)
2. DePaul Catholic, Wayne, N.J. (11-1)*
3. Oscar Smith, Chesapeake, Va. (15-0)*
4. Phoebus, Hampton, Va. (14-0)*
5. Christian Brothers Academy, Syracuse, N.Y. (14-0)*

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. (13-1)*
2. Loyola Academy, Wilmette, Ill. (12-2)*
3. Avon, Ohio (16-0)*
4. Brownsburg, Ind. (13-1)*
5. Maple Grove, Minn. (13-0)*

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

Southland

1. Venice, Fla. (14-1)*
2. Southlake (Texas) Carroll (15-0)
3. Edna Karr, New Orleans (14-0)*
4. Northwestern, Rock Hill, S.C. (14-0)*
5. Bixby, Okla. (11-2)*

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

Far West

1. O’Dea, Seattle (13-0)*
2. Saint Louis School, Honolulu (9-3)*
3. West Linn, Ore. (11-1)*
4. Cherry Creek, Greenwood Village, Colo. (12-1)*
5. Lincoln, San Diego, Calif. (12-2)*

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

* Denotes a state or conference postseason champion [Note: a second asterisk indicates a team has multiple postseason titles.]

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.