A CUT ABOVE THE REST: No. 1 Mater Dei (CA) Monarchs are Blue Star Media Elite 25 Football National Champions! California school leaves no doubt

BENSALEM, Pa. – The Monarchs of Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California wear the crown and clutch the gild-edged scepter again.

In what is becoming an annual coronation, the No. 1 Monarchs, aptly nicknamed, rule the high school football kingdom after annexing the Blue Star Media Elite 25 National Championship. It was the second time in three seasons the southern California co-ed Roman Catholic school have won the Elite 25 title and the third time in a row a team from the almighty Trinity League has claimed it. If not for the pandemic, the Monarchs would have been champions in 2000 but California schools instead played a truncated season in the spring of 2001.

When Frank McManus took over as head coach amid a cloud of controversy, winning a fourth California Interscholastic Federation state title since 2017 was in doubt but the goal. McManus righted the ship from the beginning and the season climaxed with a 35-0 thumping of then-No. 23 Serra (San Mateo) in the CIF Open Division Bowl game final.

The Monarchs finished 13-1, avenging their lone loss in the CIF-Southern Section Division I final during a 35-7 beatdown of then-No. 1 and league archrivals St. John Bosco (Bellflower) at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Recently, that game served as the de facto California state championship tilt and factors into the Elite 25’s eventual top dog.

In the regular season, the Monarchs lost to St. John Bosco, 28-0, allowing No. 5 Braves to claim the Trinity League title. However, the Monarchs never flinched and closed out the remainder of the fixtures in dominant fashion, outscoring four quality (three from the Elite 25) postseason opponents, 150-28.

The final Top-5 Elite 25 teams:

No. 1 Mater Dei. Clearly, the nation’s best team. Must replace a championship QB.

No. 2 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas). The Gaels need to join the Trinity League as an out-of-state guest.

No. 3 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.). Too bad the Ascenders don’t play for a postseason title.

No. 4 DeSoto (Texas). The top team from the Lone Star State cracked the Top-5 after winning a state title, going unbeaten in Class 6A.

No. 5 St. John Bosco. Captured the Trinity League but dropped the sectional final to Mater Dei. Another championship-caliber team returns.

Congratulations, Mater Dei Monarchs and coach McManus, you are Blue Star Media Elite 25 National Champions and simply the best!

No arguments here.

We’re also hearing that Gorman and Mater Dei will meet in 2024. Hopefully this will lead to Gorman added to the Trinity League as a football member only. It would benefit both parties and Gorman could shed its weak in-state schedule. However, the regular season game is the first step.

As for Mater Dei, the school will hold its football early signing day ceremony at the high school on Wednesday. It’s an impressive list of student-athletes who will ink their NCAA binding national-letter-of-intent:

Brandon Baker (with Texas); Aydin Breland (Oregon); Elijah Brown (Stanford); Zabien Brown (Alabama); Deandre Carter (Auburn); Jelani Davis (Utah); Kainoa Davis (Charlotte); Nathaniel Frazier (Georgia); Jack Ressler (Oregon); Rylan Vagana (Texas Tech) and Tanner Williams (Utah State).

Expect more during the late signing period in February.

Over the weekend, the University Interscholastic League of Texas conducted four days of football bliss at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Twelves state champions were crowned but only three title games impacted our final rankings.

In Class 6A, Division I, No. 7 Duncanville won the state championship over No. 10 North Shore (Galena Park), 49-33, for the second straight year. The teams have met in the state final in five of the last six years with North Shore having won three of them. Quarterback Keelon Russell threw for 288 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver Daylon Singleton caught five passes for 136 yards and three TDs. Brandon Booker paced the defense with six tackles, including three solos, and Marshall Kirven posted 2.5 sacks.

In Class 6A, Division II, No. 4 DeSoto (15-0) trounced Summer Creek (Humble), 74-14. Texas’ top-ranked team hopped up two slots in the Elite 25. QB Darius Bailey clicked on 16 of 22 passes for 281 yards and four TDs and rushed for another one.

Finally, No. 19 Aledo are state champions for a state record 12^th time after dispatching Smithson Valley (Spring Branch), 51-8. The Bearcats, who will be the favorite next season and likely a preseason Elite 25 squad in 2024, spotted SV an 8-0 lead before exploding on offense. The Bearcats finished a perfect 16-0!

For more on the 2023 UIL Texas state championships click here.

Finally, in Georgia, the turnstiles were clicking at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta for three days last week. The Georgia High School Association conducted its championships at the home of the Atlanta Falcons, drawing a record paid attendance of 50,622, crushing the 27,442 average total attendance from the previous four years at Georgia State’s Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta.

Mercedes-Benz is an attractive indoor venue and midweek games might become the norm in the Peach State.

Attendance received a jolt this season with three girls’ flag football finals. Flag football was added to the state championship docket in 2020.

So, here’s a breakdown of the Elite 25 final rankings.

Texas and Florida led with five teams apiece, California checks in with four, Georgia had three and eight from other states. The Southland Region had 15 teams, Far West had six, and East and Midwest each with two. There were 17 state champions and one school that does not compete for a state title.

And how did we do? Well, 19 teams that started in the 2023 preseason rankings are in the final one. That’s a .760 retention percentage and highly acceptable.

We’ve reached the finish line.

Things will change between now and next summer when spring ball (in some states), preseason camps and the 7-on-7 tournaments will be conducted. The Class of 2028 enters with the same dreams and aspirations as their predecessors.

And before you know it, flag football will become a girls’ varsity sport nationwide and young women will earn college scholarships once the NCAA buys in. It’s already gaining momentum and power conferences such as SEC, Big Ten, ACC, Big 12, Mountain West and others will help fund and embrace this growing sport. Don’t be surprised if it becomes an Olympic men’s sport too. We’re hearing NFL players want it.

Just a thought heading into the offseason.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 preseason football rankings will drop in August 2024. In the meantime, check out the Elite 25 boys’ and girls’ high school basketball rankings that will continue through the remainder of the season ‘til mid-April. The boys are released Tuesdays and the girls on Wednesdays. However, we’ll update them both at the end of this week (Christmas Eve) to reflect holiday tournament results.

There are not enough thanks to go around to our loyal readers; you are special and the reason why continue the Elite 25.

God’s Blessings to you, your family and friends. Stay safe.

Until next season, Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Football Final Rankings, Dec. 17, 2023

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

Previous rank: 1.

Recap: Won the CIF Open Bowl game for the fourth time since 2017 and the Monarchs are Blue Star Media Elite 25 National Champions for the second time in the last three seasons.

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

Previous: 2.

Recap: Won Nevada Class 5A, Division 1 state championship.

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

Previous: 3.

Recap: The Ascenders do not compete for a state title.

4. DeSoto, Texas (15-0)*

Previous: 6.

Recap: Won the Class 6A, Division II state championship, defeating Summer Creek (Humble), 74-14, in the final. The Eagles were up 46-7 at halftime. Quarterback Darius Bailey hit on 16 of 22 passes for 281 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for another score.

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

Previous: 4.

Recap: Advanced to CIF-Southern Section Division 1 final. Won Trinity League title.

6. Chaminade-Madonna College Prep, Hollywood, Fla. (14-0)*

Previous: 5.

Recap: Won a third consecutive state championship, annexing the Class 1M title.

7. Duncanville, Texas (14-1)*

Previous: 11.

Recap: Won second straight Class 6A, Division I state championship, defeating then-No. 7 North Shore (Galena Park), 49-33, in the final. It was the third overall title in program history. LSU-bound RB Caden Durham ran for scores from 26, 72 and 92 yards and was the Offensive Most Valuable Player. Colin Simmons snagged Defensive MVP honors with eight tackles, including five solos, and three sacks.

8. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (14-1)*

Previous: 8.

Recap: Won the Class 3M state championship. It was the fifth straight state crown for the Raiders, who closed the season on a 13-game winning streak.

9. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (13-1)*

Previous: 9.

Recap: Won the PIAA Class AAAAAA state championship. The Hawks won their eighth state title in 10 appearances, all since 2013.

10. Bixby, Okla. (13-0)*

Previous: 12.

Recap: Won the second straight Class 6A-I state championship and ninth title in 10 years.

11. North Shore, Galena Park, Texas (15-1)

Previous: 7.

Recap: For the second straight year, lost in No. 10 Duncanville, 49-33, in Class 6A, Division I final. The Mustangs gained 449 yards and QB Kaleb Bailey completed 19 of 25 passes for 239 yards and three scores and added 42 yards rushing.

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

Previous: 13.

Recap: Advanced to the UIL Class 6A, Division I semifinals.

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

Previous: 14.

Recap: Won Class 6A state championship.

14. Massillon (Ohio) Washington (16-0)*

Previous: 15.

Recap: Won OHSAA Division II state championship.

15. St. Edward, Lakewood, Ohio (15-1)*

Previous: 16.

Recap: Won OHSSA Division I state championship for the third straight year.

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

Previous: 17.

Recap: Won third straight NJSIAA Non-Public A state championship.

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

Previous: 23.

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

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

Previous: 18.

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

19. Aledo, Texas (16-0)*

Previous: 19.

Recap: Won Class 5A, Division I state championship, defeating Smithson Valley (Spring Branch), 51-8, in the final. Trailing 8-0 midway through the first quarter, the Bearcats rattle off the final 51 points of the contest. QB Hauss Hejny hit on 9 of 17 passes for 203 yards and two TDs and RB Hawk Patrick-Daniels carried the ground game with 194 yards on 16 carries (12.1 yards per carry) and scored twice. The Bearcats have won a record 12 state championships.

20. Central, Phenix City, Ala. (13-0)*

Previous: 20.

Recap: Won Class 7A state championship and the program’s third overall.

21. Milton, Alpharetta, Ga. (13-2)*

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Won the final GHSA Class AAAAAAA state championship, upending then-No. 11 Walton (Marietta), 31-21. Leading 24-21 late in the fourth quarter, Eagles senior LB Jacorey Stewart had a five-yard, pick-six to clinch the program’s second state title with the first in 2018.

22. Walton, Marietta, Ga. (14-1)

Previous: 22.

Recap: Lost to No. 21 Milton (Alpharetta), 31-21, in the Class AAAAAAA final. QB Jeremy Hecklinski tossed two TD passes. The Region 5 champions were seeking their first-ever state title.

23. Berkeley Prep, Tampa, Fla. (13-2)*

Previous: 24.

Recap: Won Class 2M state championship.

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

Previous: 22.

Recap: Advanced to Class AAAAAAA quarterfinals.

25. American Heritage, Plantation, Fla. (10-2)

Previous: 25.

Recap: Advanced to FHSAA Class 2M semifinals.

Dropped: No. 21 Buford (Ga.).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Imhotep Institute Prep, Philadelphia (15-0)*
2. Good Counsel, Olney, Md. (10-1)*
3. Freedom, Woodbridge, Va. (14-0)*
4. Christian Brothers Academy, Syracuse, N.Y. (14-0)*
5. Cardinal Hayes, Bronx, N.Y. (12-2)**

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. Southeast Polk, Pleasant Hill, Iowa (13-0)*
5. Ben Davis, Indianapolis (13-1)*

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

Southland

1. Clay-Chalkville, Pinson, Ala. (14-0)*
2. Buford, Ga. (11-2)
3. Ruston, La. (14-0)*
4. Mill Creek, Hoschton, Ga. (12-1)
5. Norland, Miami (14-1)

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

Far West

1. Mission Viejo, Calif. (13-3)*
2. Central Catholic, Portland, Ore. (13-0)*
3. Kahuku, Hawaii (11-2)^*
4. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (11-1)
5. Columbine, Littleton, Colo. (14-0)*

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

! Blue Star Media Elite 25 National Champions

* Denotes a state or conference postseason champion

^ Includes forfeit victories

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.