Allen (Texas) lands at No. 1 in Blue Star Media Elite 25 preseason football rankings; Florida adds six to initial national picture

BENSALEM, Pa. – The preseason Blue Star Media Elite 25 high school rankings are out and Allen (Texas) has the distinction of being the top-ranked team. Sixteen of the Elite 25 are from the Southland Region.

Florida leads the parade with six selections, Texas is next with five and California adds three.

The next set of Elite 25 rankings will appear on Sept. 9 and continue until the conclusion of the state playoffs in December. Until September, hope to see you at game soon.

Blue Star Media Elite 25 High School Football, August 4, 2014

1. Allen, Texas (16-0)

The Rub: Reigning Mr. Texas Football QB Kyler Murray, who passed for 3,672 yards and 46 touchdowns as a junior, and has already verballed to Texas A&M. Murray is one of the nation’s most electrifying, dynamic players. WR Jalen Guyton is Murray’s main target after hauling in 1,028 yards and 13 TDs. Three offensive linemen, averaging 6-feet-4 and 275 pounds, also return. The defense is young with one returning starter back, but talented backups from a state championship run will ease the graduation losses. The road to a Class 6A state championship and a mythical national title won’t be easy as the Eagles play all road games with their stadium under repair.

Opens: Aug. 29 at Denton Guyer.

2. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (10-3)

The Rub: The Raiders could feature as many as 18 Division I recruits and welcome four transfers from University School (Fort Lauderdale). Talent oozes in each unit but selecting a QB will be coach Rocco Casullo’s biggest decision in the preseason. RB Jordan Scarlett might be the most talented offensive players in the state.

Opens: Aug. 29 vs. No. 6 American Heritage (Plantation) at Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens.

3. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (16-0)

The Rub: The CIF Open Division state champions could make it two straight, but the road will be lined with plenty of obstacles. In the regular season, the Braves play No. 12 Mater Dei (Santa Ana) and regionally ranked Servite (Anaheim) in the Trinity League and two other ranked teams. The main man is QB Josh Rosen (39 TDs passes), who will sign with UCLA. OG Zach Robertson (6-4, 315) is his main protector

Opens: Aug. 22 at St Louis School (Honolulu) at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu.

4. Katy, Texas (15-1)

The Rub: Coach Gary Joseph will reload with 11 starters (six on defense) for another state title run. RB Rodney Anderson, a Texas A&M recruit, rushed for 1,908 yards and an eye-popping 39 TDs, and QB Garrett Doiron passed for nearly 1,000 yards and seven scores. DB Colin Wilder is a top-notch recruit and leads a veteran secondary.

Opens: Aug. 29 at Kingwood.

5. St. Edward, Lakewood, Ohio (11-2)

The Rub: Playing one of the nation’s toughest classifications (Division I) and schedules, the Eagles should be battle tested in their quest for a state championship. QB Brett Kean is a prolific passer and headed to South Florida, while twins Andrew and David Dowell (Northwestern recruits) will see a bulk of the carries. Kentucky-bound WR Alex Stump is Kean’s main hookup. The defense features DB Shaun Crawford, a Notre Dame commit.

Opens: Aug. 30 vs. Gilman School (Baltimore).

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

The Rub: The Patriots return 10 starters, including six on offense, and seven transfers from nearby University School is a godsend. The offensive is massive, averaging nearly 300 pounds and that’s good for QB Torrance Gibson. DB Tarvarus McFadden is one of the nation’s top defenders. Another Class 5A title is in the making. The opener will serve as a litmus test.

Opens: Aug. 29 vs. No. 2 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale).

7. Central, Miami (13-1)

The Rub: If the Rockets annex a fourth state title in five years, they will do it mainly with defense. And that means seven returning starters, led by Florida State-bound DB Calvin Brewton and LB Fermin Silva. WR Da’Vante Phillips (10 TD catches) is one of the nation’s most coveted recruits.

Opens: Aug. 23 at No. 16 Hoover (Ala.).

8. Cedar Hill, Texas (14-2)

The Rub: The defending Class 5A, Division II state champions will rely on its offense, where eight starters are back, until the defense matures. QB Justin McMillan (2,367 passing yards, 29 TDs) and WR DaMarkus Lodge (22 TDs) are big-time playmakers. CB Darrell Miller is the leader of the secondary.

Opens: Aug. 29 at South Oak Cliff (Dallas).

9. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (13-2)

The Rub: The Gaels will go as far as pro-style QB Danny Hong will take them. TE Alize Jones, who will sign with UCLA, and RB Russell Booze both will ease the transition for the former backup. Five starters return on defense making the state title run a mere formality.

Opens: Aug. 22 vs. Brophy Prep (Phoenix) in Sollenberger Classic.

10. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (12-3)

The Rub: The defending Class AAAA champions will have its hands full with a rugged schedule and that suites speedy Virginia-bound RB Olamide Zaccheaus (5-9, 180) just fine. Four starters along the offensive line, led by Jon Runyan Jr. (Michigan recruit) will aid Zaccheaus, who scored 15TDs as a junior. The Hawks feature a gem on defense, CB John Reid, who has several big-time suitors.

Opens: Aug. 31 at Mount Carmel (Chicago) at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill.

11. DeSoto, Texas (14-1)

The Rub: The Eagles will have stiff competition in Class 6A, District 8 with No. 8 Cedar Hill (they meet on Oct. 24). DL Bryce English (6-0, 305) is a handful. QB Tristen Wallace (6-3, 230) assumes the controls attempting to point the Eagles into the state semifinals for a third consecutive year.

Opens: Aug. 29 vs. Arlington Martin in Midlothian.

12. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (10-3)

The Rub: QB Jack Lowary should link well with Wisconsin-bound TE Kyle Penniston and WR Andre Collins, Jr. The defense is bolstered by LB Ben Humphreys, who will sign with Washington State. A return trip to the CIF-Southern Section Pac 5 title game won’t be easy but No. 3 St. John Bosco (Bellflower) would likely be the opponent.

Opens: Aug. 30 vs. Corona Centennial in Mission Viejo.

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

The Rub: S Je’Vari Anderson anchors the secondary and G Drew Sullivan (6-3, 270), who holds offers from PAC-12 schools. Junior RB Antoine Custer (1,141 yards, 19 TDs) is the main offensive weapon. A return trip to the CIF Open Division final will be tricky but likely.

Opens: Aug. 29 vs. Jesuit (Carmichael) at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.

14. Armwood, Seffner, Fla. (14-1)

The Rub: The Hawks fell one game short of winning a Class 6A state championship last fall, but are on track again with scary-good DL Byron Cowart (13 sacks), who is Tampa’s top-rated player.

Opens: Aug. 29 vs. Durant (Plant City).

15. McEachern, Powder Springs, Ga. (11-3)

The Rub: Coach Kyle Hockman’s offense features seven returning starters, including a pair of Pac-12 players, OT Chuma Edoga (Southern California) and RB Taj Griffin (Oregon). OL Chandler Jones, a Louisville recruit, is a one of the state’s best linemen.

Opens: Aug. 23 vs. North Gwinnett (Suwanee) in Corky Kell Classic.

16. Hoover, Ala. (15-0)

The Rub: The carry a 30-game win streak into the season. DL Christian Bell, an Alabama recruit, is the main defender. QB Jake Hutcheson triggers the offense spraying passes to Justin Johnson (Mississippi State) and Leonard Wood.

Opens: Aug. 23 vs. No. 7 Central (Miami). RB Bradrick Shaw will see a bulk of the carries.

17. Centreville, Clifton, Va. (15-0)

The Rub: RB A.J. Turner (1,256 yards, 23 TDs) is one of the most sought after players in the state. His backfield mate is Cincinnati-recruit Charles Boose (11 TDs), who cracked the 1,200-yard barrier as a junior. Justin Skule (Vanderbilt) and Kainoa O’Conner are their main blockers.

Opens: Sept. 5 vs. Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.).

18. Miramar, Fla. (12-1)

The Rub: Coach Matthew Strout inherits a team with five starters back on both sides of the ball. The Patriots will be among the serious contenders for the Class 8A state title. DB Tyrek Cole will sign with Florida State.

Opens: Aug. 29 at American Heritage (Delray Beach).

19. Euless (Texas) Trinity (11-3)

The Rub: The Trojans return 10 starters, including on defense. Junior RB Ja’Ron Wilson (1,343 yards, 21 TDs) and OT Patrick Vahe (6-3, 290), a Texas recruit, are a lethal combination. DL Tipa Galeai (6-4, 215) is the top defender. 

Opens: Aug. 29 vs. Eastern Christian Academy (Elkton, Md.).

20. Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, N.J. (7-4)

The Rub: The Ironmen should rebound to win the Non-Public Group 4 title but will need to fight off regionally ranked St. Peter’s Prep (Jersey City). Stiff out-of-state competition from No. 2 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), Fort Pierce (Fla.) and No. 10 St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia) should galvanized coach Greg Toal’s hungry squad.

Opens: Sept. 6 at No. 10 St. Joseph’s Prep.

21. Booker T. Washington, Miami (14-0)

The Rub: The Tornadoes are primed to defend their Class 4A state championship with junior RB Mark Walton (14 TDs) leading the way. A handful of transfers from Miami-Dade County schools will help.

Opens: Aug. 23 at Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, Va.).

22. Warren Easton, New Orleans (10-3)

The Rub: Tyron Johnson (6-0, 190) is one of the nation’s top wide receivers but QB Deshawn Capers-Smith (a Texas A&M recruit)  is the trigger man who delivers the ball. Tulane-bound RB Devin Glenn will move the chains.

Opens: Sept. 5 at St. Amant.

23. Male, Louisville, Ky. (14-0)

The Rub: The offensive line will be the key for the defending Class 6A champions, which needs to protect rangy QB Davis Mattingly (3,128 yards, 27 TDs).  C Houston Sparkman anchors the line, opening holes for RBs Ellis Cain and Tyrone Wilkerson.

Opens: Aug. 22 vs. Floyd Central (Floyds Knob, Ind.)

24. Bellevue, Wash. (13-0)

The Rub: OL Henry Roberts (6-5, 250) and LB Mustafa Branch (6-1, 212) provide the muscle for the Wolverines, who have won six straight state titles. A seventh is on the way.

Opens: Sept. 6 at Serra (Gardena, Calif.) in Oceanside, Calif.

25. Dutch Fork, Irmo, S.C. (12-3)

The Rub: Coach Tommy Knotts, an offensive savant, has the Silver Foxes pointed toward another Class 4A, Division I championship. Louisville-bound speedy RB Matthew Colburn, who despite a knee injury amassed 2,488 yards rushing yards and 42 TDs and was the Division I player of the year, is a good place to start.

Opens: Sept. 5 at No. 1 Allen (Texas).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. St. Peter’s Prep, Jersey City, N.J. (10-2)

2. Oscar Smith, Chesapeake, Va. (14-1)

3. Gonzaga, Washington, D.C. (6-5)

4. Woodland, Hills, Pittsburgh (10-3)

5. McDonogh, Owings Mills, Md. (13-0)

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

Midwest

1. Ben Davis, Indianapolis (8-3)

2. Brother Rice, Bloomfield Hills, Mich. (14-0)

3. Moeller, Cincinnati (14-1)

4. Bolingbrook, Ill. (10-1)

5. Eden Prairie, Minn. (12-0)

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

Southland

1. Jenks, Okla. (14-0)

2. Archbishop Rummel, Metairie, La. (10-3)

3. South Panola, Batesville, Miss. (13-2)

4. Maryville, Tenn. (15-0)

5. Buford, Ga. (15-0)

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

Far West

1. Chandler, Ariz. (10-3)

2. Servite, Anaheim, Calif. (6-5)

3. Mountain Pointe, Phoenix (14-0)

4. Central Catholic, Portland, Ore. (14-0)

5. Bingham, South Jordan, Utah (14-0)

Geography: 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 December 22. Follow him on Twitter at #clawlor.