ASCENSION: No. 11 Bergen Catholic (NJ), No. 14 Chaminade-Madonna (FL) Miami Central (FL) both rise in Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings

BENSALEM, Pa. – When teams from the Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings schedule large and produce, it’s time to reward them.

Such was the case with No. 11 Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) and No. 14 Chaminade-Madonna College Prep (Hollywood, Fla.). Both programs think big. Schedules are nationally themed when openings arise and local games are usually against some of the top teams in their respective states.

That’s why an eight-slot spike for both teams was appropriate after 4-0 starts. BC has knocked off teams from North Carolina, New Jersey (two teams) and Arizona. They play in one of the nation’s top leagues (Super Football Conference United Red) and when the New Jersey Non-Public A playoffs kick in November, the reigning champion Crusaders will likely see at least two of their league brethren for a second time. They still have Don Bosco Prep, St. Joseph Regional, DePaul Catholic and St. Peter’s Prep remaining on the docket.

In Broward County, Florida, it’s simply an incubator for football prospects. Last weekend, CM defeated No. 21 American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) by eight points. They already own three quality wins, including a pair over Elite 25 teams. The Lions should not have much issue running the table to secure another Florida state title but the lone bump in the road may occur at Venice on Oct. 7. Otherwise, CM is the nation’s top small school team in America and that’s not even debatable.

It won’t surprise me if head coaches Vito Campanile of BC and Dameon Jones of CM move up to the next level. College? Pros? Campanile’s brothers are college and NFL assistants. Trust me I’ve seen it happen.

The lone addition to the Blue Star Media Elite 25 rankings was No. 23 Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati). The Crusaders moved to 5-0 with a come-from-behind 20-17 win over league rivals St. Xavier (Cincinnati). Moeller plays in the rugged GCL South Division and still has games with crosstown rivals La Salle and Elder. The Crusaders will be the new Ohio Division I team after No. 25 and previous top-ranked St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio) lost.

The top-10 remained intact.

If you are looking for games of the week, it starts with Elite 25 matchup between No. 9 Chandler (Ariz.) and No. 24 Saguaro (Scottsdale, Ariz.) on Friday in a rematch of the 2021 Arizona Open Division final won by the latter team.

For those armchair quarterbacks there’s the 2022 GEICO ESPN High School Showcase featuring No. 13 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) heading north to meet Phenix City (Ala.) Central on Friday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

Big disappointment from the West Coast. It was confirmed last week the national showdown between No. 1 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) and No. 2 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) won’t be moved to the state-of-art SoFi Stadium, home of the Rams and Chargers, in Inglewood as previously reported.

The Internet rumors kicked around for a few weeks “The Game” would be moved for the next two seasons to the mammoth stadium near LAX Airport and across the way from The Fabulous Forum. However, it’s Mater Dei’s home game this year and school officials will keep the game at the Santa Ana Bowl on Oct. 7.

Mater Dei executive director of athletics Joel Hartmann said in a prepared statement:

“We are grateful to the Sofi Stadium and Rams personnel for the opportunity to connect and discuss the possibility of being the first high school game at their incredible venue.

“This invitation speaks volume to the caliber and admiration of the athletic excellence at Mater Dei High School, St. John Bosco High School, and the Trinity League. We have decided to remain at the Santa Ana Bowl.”

Some of the reasons the game will stay put in Orange County is distance, Friday afternoon traffic and parking and ticket prices contributed to the decision. Perhaps the Trinity League schools will revisit this one in the future. However, if both teams advance to the California Interscholastic-Southern Section Division I final, that one’s slated for the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Nice!

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings return on Sept. 27, chronicling the first seven weeks of play. Fall officially enters Thursday evening so savor the last few days of summer.

Don’t forget to check out the latest Blue Star Media Net 25 volleyball rankings.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Football Rankings, Sept. 20, 2022

1. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (4-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Recap: Defeated Kahuku (Hawaii), 34-7. RB Cameron Jones rushed for two touchdowns, one in each half.

Next: Friday vs. Central Catholic (Modesto).

2. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (5-0)

Previous: 2.

Recap: Defeated Mililani (Honolulu), 42-14. Sophomore RB Jordon Davison blasted off for 213 yards and three touchdowns on 10 carries.

Next: Friday at JSerra (San Juan Capistrano).

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

Previous: 3.

Recap: Idle. This weekend the Chaps renew a bitter rivalry.

Next: Friday vs. Lake Travis (Austin).

4. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (3-0)

Previous: 4.

Recap: Defeated Venice (Fla.), 34-17. The Panthers continue their killer schedule.

Next: Friday at Dutch Fork (Irmo, S.C.).

5. North Shore, Galena Park, Texas (3-0)

Previous: 5.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday at Beaumont United.

6. Buford, Ga. (4-0)

Previous: 6.

Recap: Defeated Carver (Atlanta), 44-16.

Next: Friday at Marietta.

7. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (4-0)

Previous: 7.

Recap: Defeated Western (Davie), 38-0. The defense notched a second shutout.

Next: Friday at Treasure Coast (Port St. Lucie).

8. Central, Miami (3-0)

Previous: 8.

Recap: Defeated Carol City (Miami Gardens), 34-0.

Next: Saturday vs. Dillard (Fort Lauderdale).

9. Chandler, Ariz. (3-0)

Previous: 9.

Recap: Shut out Notre Dame Prep (Scottsdale), 35-0. Now the Wolves prepare for their biggest challenger in Arizona’s Open Division

Next: Friday vs. No. 24 Saguaro (Scottsdale).

10. Southlake (Texas) Carroll (4-0)

Previous: 10.

Recap: Defeated Timber Creek (Keller), 51-0.

Next: Thursday at Haltom.

11. Bergen Catholic, Oradell, N.J. (4-0)

Previous: 19.

Recap: Defeated Seton Hall Prep (West Orange), 35-14. The Crusaders scored on their first three drives for a 21-0 lead. This weekend the archrivals Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey) invade The Jack in key league action.

Next: Saturday vs. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey).

12. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (4-1)

Previous: 11.

Recap: Brookwood (Snellville, Ga.), 70-10. Junior QB Micah Alejado completed 11 of 15 passes for 229 yards and three scores in the first half during a nationally televised blowout. The Gaels close out the next five weeks in the Desert League play.

Next: Friday at Arbor View (Las Vegas).

13. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (2-1)

Previous:12.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday at Phenix City (Ala.) Central.

14. Chaminade-Madonna College Prep, Hollywood, Fla. (4-0)

Previous: 22.

Recap: Defeated No. 21 American Heritage (Plantation), 42-34. Junior RB Davion Gause scored three TDs. The Lions took a 35-28 lead when Gause sped for a score and then iced when QB Cedrick Bailey fired an 85-yard strike to WR Jeremiah Smart to make it 42-28 in the fourth quarter.

15. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (4-1)

Previous: 14.

Recap: Defeated Temecula Valley (Temecula), 58-15.

Next: Sept. 30 at Chaparral (Corona).

16. Duncanville, Texas (3-0)

Previous: 15.

Recap: Defeated Lake Ridge (Mansfield), 44-6.

Next: Friday at Cedar Hill.

17. Grayson, Loganville, Ga. (4-0)

Previous: 16.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday at Lowndes County (Valdosta).

18. Denton (Texas) Guyer (4-0)

Previous: 17.

Recap: Defeated Prosper, 23-6.

Next: Friday at Little Elm.

19. Katy, Texas (4-0)

Previous: 18.

Recap: Defeated Katy Morton Ranch, 41-20.

Next: Thursday at Katy Mayde Creek.

20. Longview, Texas (4-0)

Previous: 20.

Recap: Defeated Lufkin, 56-7.

Next: Friday vs. Lancaster.

21. American Heritage, Plantation, Fla. (4-1)

Previous: 21.

Recap: Lost to then-No. 22 Chaminade-Madonna College Prep (Hollywood, Fla.), 42-34. QB Blake Murphy hit WR Malachi Toney for two TD passes in the opening half to make it 14-all.

Next: Sept. 30 at Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale).

22. Lipscomb Academy, Nashville, Tenn. (5-0)

Previous: 23.

Recap: Defeated Franklin Road Academy (Nashville), 41-12.

Next: Sept. 30 vs. Davidson Academy (Nashville).

23. Archbishop Moeller, Cincinnati (5-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Defeated St. Xavier (Cincinnati), 20-17. The Crusaders were down 10-6 entering the fourth but rallied to win this key GCL South showdown.

Next: Friday at La Salle (Cincinnati).

24. Saguaro, Scottsdale, Ariz. (2-1)

Previous: 25.

Recap: Defeated O’Connor (Phoenix), 47-3.

Next: Friday at No. 9 Chandler.

25. St. Edward, Lakewood, Ohio (4-1)

Previous: 13.

Recap: Upset by Massillon, 41-38.

Next: Saturday vs. Rock Creek Christian Academy (Upper Marlboro, Md.).

Dropped: No. 24 Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (3-1)
2. Iona Prep, New Rochelle, N.Y. (2-1)
3. Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, N.J. (2-2)
4. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (2-1)
5. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (3-1)

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

Midwest

1. Mount Carmel, Chicago, (4-0)
2. Lakota West, West Chester, Ohio (5-0)
3. Loyola Academy, Wilmette, Ill. (4-0)
4. Westside, Omaha, Neb. (4-0)
5. Belleville, Mich. (4-0)

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

Southland

1. Colquitt County, Norman Park, Ga. (4-0)
2. Clay-Chalkville, Pinson, Ala. (5-0)
3. Bixby, Okla. (3-0)
4. Mill Creek, Hoschton, Ga. (4-0)
5. Dutch Fork, Irmo, S.C. (5-0)

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

Far West

1. Serra, San Mateo, Calif. (3-0)
2. Poly, Long Beach, Calif. (5-0)
3. Mission Viejo, Calif. (4-1)
4. Basha, Chandler, Ariz. (3-0)
5. Skyridge, Lehi, Utah (6-0)

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.