AMPED: California archrivals Mater Dei and St. John Bosco roost atop Blue Star Media Elite 25 preseason football rankings; Lone Star State adds six teams, Florida three

BENSALEM, Pa. – Chase the dream. If you could summarize the thoughts of thousands of high school football program in the month of August would be the vision of placing two hands on the state championship hardware and lifting it to the heavens.

Everyone envisions the magic ride with the coach on the shoulders of the linemen or the quarterback taking a knee in the Victory Formation.

And that’s why we do it annually with the Blue Star Media Elite 25 high school football rankings. We chronicle the season each week and explain why the games mean so much.

Take our 2022 Elite 25 preseason rankings there’s something special in southern California and it’s contagious. For the second straight year the St. John Bosco Braves of Bellflower, California will begin as No. 1. They are followed by No. 2 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), a team they will face this season when Trinity League starts.

No. 3 Westlake (Austin, Texas), No. 4 St. Frances Academy (Baltimore) and No. 5 North Shore (Galena Park, Texas) round out the top-5.

A breakdown of the Elite 25 preseason sees Texas with six schools; Florida and California with three apiece while Arizona, Georgia and New Jersey check in with two. Six others states and the District of Columbia all are repped by one.

The Southland Region has 12 teams; six from the Far West; four from the East and three from the Midlands.

The season starts with the August heat and lasts until chill of the holidays. There are no shortcuts to a championship but preparation and a belief.

Well, it’s good to be back for our 10th season because it’s always a blast. Enjoy the remainder of summer and don’t forget to get a second booster shot to combat the latest COVID variant.

To all the coaches, players, band members, cheerleaders, parents and fan get out to a game when the weather is nice. It’s good the Friday Night lights are back on. We’re in it for the long haul.

Actually, the season opens on this weekend in Hawaii. The following weekend, Alaska gets going but the weekend of Aug. 18, states such as Utah, Alabama, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Idaho, South Carolina, Arizona, Ohio, Tennessee, Georgia, Wisconsin and New Mexico are in action.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings return on Aug. 23 to reflect the opening two weekends. And as a teaser, Blue Star Media is adding another set of rankings for another high school sport beginning in early September. More details to follow.

Until then remain safe and we hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Preseason Football Rankings, Aug. 4, 2022

Statistics and records are from the 2021 season and players are seniors unless denoted

1. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (10-2)

The Rub: The quality of the team is rooted in the Class of 2023. The Braves are experienced at key positions and playing with a chip on their shoulders after a loss in the CIF-Southern Section Open Division semifinals. The prized offensive recruits include a trio of Louisville commits WR DeAndre Moore Jr., pro-style QB Pierce Clarkson and WR Jahlil McClain, giving the Braves the ability to stretch the field and score frequently. The running game is a work in progress. The D-line has Sua Lefotu (Washington) and Matayo Uiagalelei, the second level has LB Deven Bryant (Washington) and the secondary is stacked with Ty Lee (UCLA), Jshawn Frausto-Ramos (Stanford), R.J. Jones (California) and Aaron Williams (Louisville). There’s more secondary depth with three blue-chip juniors in Khristian Dunbar-Hawkins, Marcelles Williams and Peyton Woodward. Meanwhile bookend OLBs Kyngstonn Villamu-Asa and Jordan Lockhart (Mississippi) are big time recruits. And all are uber athletes. The Braves have a whooper of an opening night contest in the Lone Star State. The five-game slate in the Trinity League starts with pesky Servite (Anaheim) and at No. 2 Mater Dei (Santa Ana) on back-to-back weekends. The Braves are always must-see football.

Opens: Aug. 26 at Allen (Texas).

2. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (12-0)

The Rub: The reigning Blue Star Media Elite 25 National Champions are back in the thick of it. You would too if your lineup included WR Jeremiah McClure, LB Tre Edward (UCLA recruit), LB Leviticus Su’a, WR Surahz Buncom (Kansas), TE Spencer Shannon (Texas) and Chris Snyder. The leader from the junior class is QB Elijah Brown but his main protectors on the O-line are Deandre Carter (6-4, 340) and Brandon Baker (6-5, 290) and the defense gets a bump from CB Zabien Brown and DT Aydin Breland (6-5, 320). The Monarchs, which lost their top three WRs, added transfer Jurrion Dickey (from San Jose area). Dickey caught 78 passes for 1,304 yards and 19 TDs at Valley Christian. He had four INTs on defense. That’s a major pickup and once he and Brown develop chemistry, it could be a game-changer. The Monarchs open with five nonleague games with Elite 25 teams Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) and Corona (Calif.) Centennial on back-to-back weekends, Aug. 19 and 26, respectively. The Trinity League then kicks in later in September and means a date with top-ranked St. John Bosco (Bellflower) on Oct. 7.

Opens: Aug. 19 vs. West (Salt Lake City, Utah).

3. Westlake, Austin, Texas (16-0)

The Rub: There’s change in the state capital, where Tony Salazar takes over as head coach for legend Todd Dodge, who piloted the Chaparrals to three straight state championships. Six starters are back on offense and seven more on defense. Notre Dame-bound WR Jaden Greathouse (1,274 yards and 20 TDs) is one of the top pass catchers in the nation. The O-line has T.J. Shanahan (6-4, 320) and Kyle Natenstedt to provide the blocking for a new signal-caller.

Opens: Aug. 26 vs. Ridge Point (Missouri City). WR Keaton Kubecka (13 TDs) and RB Jack Kayser rushed for 1,113 yards and 20 scores are both offensive threats. The defense is bolstered by E Colton Vasek (6-6, 250), LB Byers Petty (10 sacks) and DB Will Courtney (125 tackles) have all three levels covered.

Opens: Aug. 26 vs. Ridge Point (Missouri City).

4. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (8-1)

The Rub: The top program on the East Coast has balance on both sides of the ball, starting with junior QB Michael Van Buren, RB Durrell Robinson Maryland-recruit WR Ryan Manning and junior OT Cam’Ron Warren (6-5, 300). On defense, T Isaiah Neal (6-3, 270), a Pittsburgh commit, junior LB Gabriel Williams E Brian Simms III (Boston College) and E  Dashawn Womack (LSU). Coach Messay Hailemariam’s squad plays an independent national schedule against schools from Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, Florida, Texas, Connecticut and South Carolina, but the biggest matchup is No. 6 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) on Nov. 18.

Opens: Aug. 27 vs. East St. Louis (Ill.).

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

The Rub: The Mustangs bagged their third Class 6A, Division I title in the last four years. Sophomore Kaleb Bailey guided the Mustangs to the crown as a freshman and is one of five starters back on offense. Bailey accounted for more than 1,600 total yards and 19 scores as a dual threat. WR David Amador had 52 receptions for 1,006 yards and 11 TDs. OT Omarion Dudley anchors the O-line. DBs Jayven Anderson (90 tackles, 5 INTs) and Jacoby Davis (40 tackles, 3 INTs) as defensive stalwarts. The Mustangs are among the favorites in Texas’ largest classification and a repeat is not out of the question.

Opens: Aug. 25 vs. The Woodlands.

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

The Rub: The schoolboy all-star team known as IMG rolls out another star-studded transfers. When the ESPN 300 came out, 10 seniors made it with a defensive flavor: OT Francis Mauigoa (Miami recruit), WR/CB Samuel M’Pemba, TE Riley Williams (Miami), DE Jayden Wayne (Miami), DT Will Norman, DE Cameron Lenhardt, WR Carnell Tate (Ohio State), Knijeah Harris (Florida), LB Jordan Hall (Michigan State) and WR Devin Hyatt. There are 10 more on the ESPN Junior 300 team. Talk about talent. The Ascenders play a national schedule but the most competitive games bookend the term with the season finale at No. 4 St. Frances Academy (Baltimore) on Nov. 18.

Opens: Aug. 26 vs. No. 14 Central (Miami).

7. Buford, Ga. (14-1)

The Rub: The reigning Class AAAAAA state champions have a leg up with Alabama-bound RB Justice Hayes toting the ball to the tune of nearly 6,000 career rushing yards. There’s more quality with two-way performer, S/WR K.J. Bolden, as Georgia’s No. 1 junior. A pair of juniors, edge rusher Eddrick Houston and DE/TE King Joseph Edwards are potential game changers.

The Wolves move up to Class 7A this season and won’t open Region 8 play until late September. In the meantime, they face a gauntlet of four games with No. 17 Thompson and Mallard Creek (Charlotte, N.C.) on Aug. 26 plus an away contest at Marietta on Sept. 23.

Opens: Aug. 19 vs. No. 17 Thompson (Alabaster, Ala.) at the Freedom Bowl in Alpharetta, Ga.

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

The Rub: The Raiders have three straight Class 7A state titles and a fourth could be delivered in four months. Defense wins championships and the Raiders have Penn State recruits in safeties King Mack and Conrad Hussey and athletic LB Jayvant Brown (6-0, 220), who has offers from Power 5 programs. Junior WRs Chance Robinson and James Madison II (6-4, 205) have size, good hands and speed. So does classmate CB Earl Kulp (6-2, 175). The Raiders will break in a new starting QB but RBs Xavier Terrell (597 yards, 9 TDs) and Gemari Sands (465 yards, 4 TDs) keep moving the chains. K/P Michael Kern is a star on special teams and dependable.

Opens: Aug. 27 vs. St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia) on ESPNU, 12 p.m. ET.

9. Chandler, Ariz. (11-2)

The Rub: Last season, the Wolves saw their streak of five-consecutive Arizona titles snapped. And with junior QB Dylan Raiola, an Ohio State pledge, pulling the strings as the nation’s top 2024 field general, it could be a return to winner’s circle. RBs Ca’lil Valentine and Xavier Valdivia will supplement the offense. DL A’mauri Washington (6-4, 295) has offers from Oregon, Arizona, Florida, Oklahoma and LSU and junior DB Kennedy Urlacher is the son of former Bears LB Brian Urlacher. This season the Arizona 6A Premier Section is among the best leagues in the nation with Elite 25 teams Hamilton (Chandler) and Basha (Chandler) plus Casteel (Queen Creek) and Perry (Gilbert) all from the East Valley. The winner will likely get the top seed in the Open Division playoffs. First, the in-state battle with No. 19 Saguaro (Scottsdale) on Sept. 23 could be a preview of the state final.

Opens: Sept. 2 at Cathedral Catholic (San Diego, Calif.).

10. Southlake (Texas) Carroll (14-1)

The Rub: The O-line and running game are strengths for the Dragons, who return five offensive starters from a team that reached the Class 6A, Division I semifinals. RB Owen Allen rushed for 2,145 yards and 32 scores with lineman Jake Hall (6-3, 285) paving the way. QB Kaden Anderson (3,036 yards, 34 TDs passes) will hook up with WR Jacob Jordan (4 TDs). The defensive is thin with DL Cade Parks (6-2, 260) and speedy DB Logan Anderson (4 INTs) returning. The District 4-6A race has the Dragons on top with Byron Nelson (Trophy Club) and Keller chasing.

Opens: Aug. 26 vs. Eastwood (El Paso).

11. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (12-1)

The Rub: If you can believe it, the Gaels are in line for a 19th Nevada state championship since 1970. That’s a half century of dominance in the desert. After missing out on a perfect season in 2021, the Gaels are back at it with experienced junior signal-caller Micah Alejado who might just have the nation’s No. 1 WR Zachariah Branch, a USC commit. Up front it’s OT Zak Yamauchi (6-5, 280) solidifying the line. The defense features CB Justyn Rhett (Georgia pledge), S Kofi Decambra (Oregon) and CB Jeremiah Hughes (LSU). Tennessee-bound Will Stallings (6-0, 222) is a two-way performer at RB and LB. In order to play top-notch competition, the Gaels face five out-of-state opponents to open the campaign with No. 2 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) on Aug. 26 and at Saint Louis School (Honolulu) on Sept. 2. That should prep the Nevadans for another state title run with Liberty (Henderson, Nev.) the main threat.

Opens: Aug. 19 vs. Corner Canyon (Draper, Utah).

12. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (11-1)

The Rub: One of these years, the Huskies will win the CIF Open Division. This year the same cast of characters from southern California stand in the way. At least QB Izzy Carter, an Arizona State recruit, and WR Malachi Riley return and pass-blocker extraordinaire OT and junior Wade Helton. The defense has Pac-12 commits DL Lucas Conti (Arizona) and CB Owen Chambliss (Utah). After the season opener, the Huskies face Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) and No. 2 Mater Dei (Santa Ana).

Opens: Aug. 19 vs. Santiago (Corona).

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

The Rub: Since 2010, the Eagles have bagged five state championships and that includes last year’s in Ohio Division I. Entering his eighth season at the all-male Catholic school in suburban Cleveland, coach Tom Lombardo is 76-14. He’ll work with a strong O-line, fueled by juniors Devontae Armstrong (6-6, 275) and Ben Roebuck (6-7, 325). DE Michael Kilbane is a Northwestern recruit and along with LB Wyatt Gedeon (Coastal Carolina) will bring the heat after teaming for 28 sacks. Junior FS/WR Kyan Mason is attracting offers from the likes of Pittsburgh, Kentucky and others. Once again, the Eagles play one of the nation’s top schedules, including Central Catholic (Pittsburgh), Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village, Colo.), Elder (Cincinnati), St. Ignatius (Cleveland), Moeller (Cincinnati) and Archbishop Hoban (Akron).

Opens: Aug. 19 vs. Toledo Central Catholic.

14. Central, Miami (12-2)

The Rub: The Rockets aim for a fourth consecutive Florida state championship but will do so with first-year head coach Jube Joseph, who took over for Roland Smith (now at University of Miami). Smith had won six of Central’s Miami Dade County’s record eight titles. Joseph was elevated from defensive coordinator and will work with DE Rueben Bain (6-3, 250), a blue-chip prospect with Alabama, Miami, Auburn and Oklahoma in the hunt. LB Ezekiel Marcelin is an elite sophomore. QB Keyone Jones, WR Lamar Seymore and junior WRs Joshisa Taylor (6-2, 175) Lawayne McCoy (6-2, 170) have dependable hands. The season opener plus local games with Northwestern (Miami) and Booker T. Washington (Miami) present the Rockets with “playoff-like” atmospheres, where they usually prevail.

Opens: Aug. 26 vs. No. 6 IMG Academy (Bradenton)

15. Duncanville, Texas (13-2)

The Rub: The Panthers compete in District 11-6A, one of the top groupings in the Lone Star State, along with DeSoto and Cedar Hill. QB Jameir Willis will direct the offense and target WRs Dakorien Moore (5 TDs) and Lontrell Turner (36 receptions, 333 yards, 3 TDs), both playmakers. Defensively, E Colin Simmons (6-3, 230) had 12 sacks and 68 tackles last season and Ka’Davion Dotson and Lamodrick Spencer patrol the secondary. Six starters on each side of the ball return.

Opens: Aug. 27 at South Oak Cliff (Dallas).

16. Grayson, Loganville, Ga. (10-4)

The Rub: If you want respect then you must give respect. When it comes to Class AAAAAAA in Georgia, the stakes are high, the competition is steep but the winner is normally honored by the Elite 25 rankings. The Rams may have dipped in record but went to the 7A semifinals, where it fell to eventual champions Collins Hill (Suwanee). The defense is led by LSU-bound DB Michael Daugherty and LB Jalen Smith. Junior dual-threat QB Joseph Stone Jr. accounted for 1,200 yards and RB Joe Taylor rushed for 1,021 yards and 12 scores. Coach Adam Carter has a tricky opening assignment and Region 4 tussles with Brookwood (Snellville) and Parkview (Lilburn) but a road contest at Lowndes County (Valdosta) on Sept. 23 is a night to circle.

Opens: Aug. 20 vs. Marietta to be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

17. Thompson, Alabaster, Ala. (13-1)

The Rub: The Warriors are 27-1 with two Class 7A state titles in the last two campaigns and built on a stout defense. A year ago, it yielded 99 points in 14 games with four shutouts. That trend will continue until the offense gets untracked and Clemson-bound DT Peter Woods (6-3, 275) and CB Tony Mitchell (Alabama commit) make sure of it. OT Stanton Ramil (6-6, 310) has the Power 5 recruiting him heavily. Junior RB A.J. Green (6 TDs) is the top ball-carrier returning will be expected to carry the load. The passing game is a work in progress. Opening night will be an extremely tough road game but the Warriors are used to the pressure. The Warriors will battle Hoover and Phenix City Central for the blushes.

Opens: Aug. 19 vs. No. 7 Buford (Ga.).

18. Katy, Texas (14-1)

The Rub: The running game’s two-headed monster has Seth Davis (2,460 yards, 28 TDs) and Dallas Glass (1,339 yards, 20 TDs) alternating carries and QB Caleb Koger (2,068 passing yards, 22 TDs) can sling it with the best of them. Utah-bound DB Jonathan Hall (99 tackles) is back after an all-state junior campaign. The Tigers should repeat as District 19-6A champions and look to advance past the Class 6A, Division II semifinals.

Opens: Aug. 26 at Clear Springs (League City).

19. Saguaro, Scottsdale, Ariz. (12-1)

The Rub: The Arizona Open Division champions have QB Devon Dampier back in the fold but without question DB Cole Shivers (5-11, 170), who verballed to Northwestern, is the one of the best defenders in the Far West Region. Lineman JoJo Powell (6-5, 250) is an elite junior with offers from Oregon, Michigan and TCU. Freakish athletes, junior RB Jaedon Matthews (1,300 all-purpose yards), junior WR Jaci Dickerson and two-way sophomore Dajon Hinton (5-11, 165), are future stars. The Sabercats will hit the ground running with Elite 25 foes in the first and fourth games and that will tip off how far ahead they are. The state of Arizona is chock full of talented teams. The Open Division champion will eventually earn their crown.

Opens: Sept. 2 vs. No. 21 Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.).

20. Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, N.J. (8-5)

The Rub: The Ironmen advanced to the Non-Public A final but fell to archrivals Bergen Catholic (Oradell). That bodes well for a team that is primed to win the program’s first state crown since 2015. Up front, the state’s top recruit, OT Chase Bisontis (6-5, 290), is the anchor for an experienced O-line and will sign with Texas A&M. He’s joined by Chris Moreno (6-2, 285). QB Nicholas Minicucci (1,406 yards, 9 TDs) is leader and RB Ronnie Heath is primary ball-carrier after running for 1,287 yards and 15 scores. WRs Omaree Walker and Ethan Acevedo (4 TDs) will stretch the defense. DL Jovan George recorded 5 sacks but super junior DL Jordan Thomas (6-6, 295) is one of the nation’s top players from the Class of 2024. Coach Dan Sabella’s club has a road trip to Edgewater (Orlando, Fla.) on Sept. 2 and then face four blockbuster programs to close out the month of September, including three in the NJSFC United Red.

Opens: Aug. 26 vs. Archbishop Spalding (Severn, Md.).

21. Bergen Catholic, Oradell, N.J. (12-0)

The Rub: The defending Non-Public A state title holders ran the table but graduated a boatload. The main offensive threat is RB Saeed St. Fleur, who rushed for 736 yards and 7 scores on 106 carries and is a weapon in the passing game along with Christian Carti (25 receptions for 274 yards , 4 TDs). DT Sydir Mitchell (2 sacks, 40 tackles) is headed to Texas and edge rusher (D.J. Samuels (6-2, 240) will attend Maryland. The main question is who will quarterback the Crusaders? Coach Vito Campanile has options, including his sophomore son. In Week 2, the Crusaders visit Saguaro (Scottsdale, Ariz.) on Sept. 2 and then are league games with No. 20 Don Bosco, St. Joseph Regional (Montvale) and St. Peter’s Prep (Jersey City).

Opens: Aug. 27 vs. Cardinal Gibbons (Raleigh, N.C.).

22. Longview, Texas (9-4)

The Rub: The Lobos are Texas’ top-ranked Class 5A and for good reason; they return 14 starters, including eight on defense. WR Jalen Hale had 1,154 receiving yards and 14 scores a year ago and QB Jordan Allen will pull the trigger under center. RB Taylor Tatum is looking for a breakout season where 1,000 rushing yards is not out of the question. LB Jeremiah Roguely leads the defense, which also features a strong backfield. Coach John King is expected to record his 200th victory, needing three to reach the milestone.

Opens: Aug. 26 vs. McKinney Boyd.

23. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (11-0)

The Rub: The Washington Catholic Athletic Conference champions return WR Sean Williams and junior TE/DL D.J. McWilliams but OG Jordan Seaton (6-6, 305) is a monster with Florida State, Boston College, Cincinnati and Clemson offering. Meanwhile, the defense has edge rusher David Ojiegbe (Clemson) S Zahbari Sandy (South Carolina) and junior LB Montay Weedon (6-1, 210). The schedule features games against teams from Florida, Georgia, Delaware, New York, Washington and Massachusetts before the WCAC roll call goes Bishop McNamara, DeMatha, Good Counsel and Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.).

Opens: Aug. 27 at Chaminade-Madonna College Prep (Hollywood, Fla.) to be played in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

24. Cathedral, Indianapolis (14-1)

The Rub: Indiana’s top-ranked team and two-time reigning Class 5A state has a gifted junior QB Danny O’Neil who completed 62.9% of his passes for 2,956 yards and 33 TDs and rushed for 305 yards and 10 scores. O’Neil has offers from Kentucky, Purdue and Indiana. At 6-4, Purdue-commit WR Jaron Tibbs (10 TDs) and TE Brennan Wooten (Western Michigan) are big targets. The D-line is anchored by Kendrick Gilbert (6-5, 250) and Patrick Kendall (6-4, 280), who will sign with Army West Point. Another challenging schedule awaits the Fighting Irish but Center Grove (Greenwood) might be the first of two meetings as they are both in Class 6A this season.

Opens: Aug. 19 at Jefferson (Lafayette).

25. Martin Luther King, Detroit (13-1)

The Rub: The defending Division 3 state champions are Michigan’s most athletic and exciting team with Oregon-bound QB Dante Moore (3,100 yards, 40 TDs) at the helm. He has help from uber prospects Cole Olysztyn, Kenneth Merrieweather (Iowa), Jameel Croft and Michigan State-commit OG Jonathan Slack (6-4, 280). The opening game in Indiana will reveal much about mettle of the team.

Opens: Aug. 26 at Warren Central (Indianapolis).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Iona Prep, New Rochelle, N.Y. (11-1)
2. St. Peter’s Prep, Jersey City, N.J. (8-4)
3. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (7-3)
4. St. Joseph Prep, Philadelphia (10-4)
5. Oscar Smith, Chesapeake, Va. (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. Archbishop Moeller, Cincinnati (11-4)
2. Center Grove, Greenwood, Ind. (14-0)
3. Lakota West, West Chester, Ohio (11-2)
4. Christian Brothers College, St. Louis (13-1)
5. Ankeny, Iowa (10-3)

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

Southland

1. Denton (Texas) Guyer (14-2)
2. Jesuit, Tampa, Fla. (15-0)
3. Chaminade-Madonna College Prep, Hollywood, Fla. (12-1)
4. American Heritage, Plantation, Fla. (6-4)
5. Lipscomb Academy, Nashville, Tenn. (12-1)

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

Far West

1. Los Alamitos, Calif. (9-2)
2. Mission Viejo, Calif. (9-2)
3. Hamilton, Chandler, Ariz. (11-1)
4. Basha, Chandler, Ariz. (10-1)
5. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (10-3)

Geography: Alaska, 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 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 at the conclusion of the 2022 season. Follow him on Twitter at @clawlor.