BEAR DOWN: No. 25 Basha (AZ) claims East Valley supremacy for now, moving into Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings

BENSALEM, Pa. – The first part of the national playoff puzzle kicked in last weekend. And now the nation awaits the states of Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania and Georgia to fully join the high school football frenzy.

If it’s November it’s the postseason for teams from the Blue Star Media Elite 25 rankings. Last Sunday, the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section announced the 10-team bracket for the uber competitive Division 1 playoffs. Three of the teams reside in the Elite 25 and barring anything crazy will remain there for the duration.

No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana) and No. 3 St. John Bosco (Bellflower) earned byes will host quarterfinal opponents on Nov. 11. Five teams from the almighty Trinity League are in the Division 1 bracket. No. 13 Corona Centennial hosts Mission Viejo in a game between 9-1 clubs. The top quarterfinal matchup is clearly undefeated fifth-seeded Poly (Long Beach) at fourth-seeded Los Alamitos (8-2).

It promises to be one of the nation’s most intriguing tournaments.

There is one weekend left in power states such as Texas, Florida and Georgia. Most of the Texas schools opt to play on Thursday to conclude the regular season and that goes for No. 9 Southlake Carroll, No. 14 Duncanville and No. 15 Longview. In Florida, three teams have byes before the Florida High School Athletic Association releases its regional pairings. Same goes for Georgia and Pennsylvania (although some districts will open play this weekend).

In New Jersey, No. 22 Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey) and No. 23 Bergen Catholic (Oradell) earned first-round byes and won’t see action until the quarterfinals on Nov. 11 and 12. The schoolboy rivals are on a collision course for a second consecutive title game meeting for the Non-Public A crown on Nov. 25 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. Bosco won the regular season meeting.

November always moves quick but we’ll update you with all the necessary details.

No. 25 Basha (Chandler, Ariz.) Bears enter the Elite 25 after knocking out then-No. 9 Chandler, 14-7, in a defensive standoff between crosstown rivals. Basha is ranked for now but that could change when the Arizona Open Division eight-team bracket is revealed later this month. The opening games are Nov. 25. That’s a late start.

Additionally, the final game of 2022 GEICO ESPN High School Showcase schedule is Thursday when No. 24 Bixby (Okla.) entertains Jenks (Okla.) at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Bixby (10-0) enters with a 58-game win streak and is an offensive juggernaut.

No. 9 Chandler (Ariz.) hosts crosstown rivals Basha on Friday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPNU. That one should be a real cracker!

That’s it for another week as the calendar flips to the 11th and penultimate month on the Julian and Gregorian calendars.

We think the best is yet to come.
The Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings return on Nov. 8.

Don’t forget to vote and turn back your clocks early Sunday morning for Daylight Saving Time. We’re back on Standard Time until early March. Ugh!

Until then stay safe and get out to a high school sporting event in your home state. We hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Football Rankings, Nov. 1, 2022

1. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (10-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Recap: Defeated Servite (Anaheim), 48-17. Junior QB Elijah Brown threw for four touchdowns. The defending Blue Star Media Elite 25 national championship embark on a second straight starting this weekend.

Next: Nov. 11 vs.  Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita) or JSerra (San Juan Capistrano) in CIF-Southern Section, Division 1 first round.

2. Westlake, Austin, Texas (9-0)

Previous: 2.

Recap: Defeated Bowie (Austin), 45-0. The defense records a second straight shutout and the Chaps clinch at least a tie for the District 26-6A title.

Next: Friday vs. Buda Johnson.

3. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (9-1)

Previous: 3.

Recap: Defeated Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita), 56-14. RB Cameron Brown scored three TDs.

Next: Nov. 11 vs. Edison (Huntington Beach) or Orange Lutheran in CIF-Southern Section Division 1 first round.

4. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (6-0)

Previous: 4.

Recap: Defeated Arundel (Gambrills, Md.), 50-0. The Panthers continue their dominance despite a month-long layoff. Three games remain on the slate.

Next: Friday at St. Thomas More (Oakdale, Conn.).

5. North Shore, Galena Park, Texas (9-0)

Previous: 5.

Recap: Defeated Atascocita (Humble), 16-13. The Mustangs look to go unbeaten in District 21-6A this weekend.

Next: Friday vs. Kingwood (Humble).

6. Buford, Ga. (9-0)

Previous: 6.

Recap: Defeated Mountain View (Lawrenceville), 56-7. Georgia’s top-ranked Class AAAAAAA team is rolling into the postseason.

Next: Friday at Central Gwinnett (Lawrenceville).

7. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (9-0)

Previous: 7.

Recap: Defeated Next: Friday at Boyd Anderson (Lauderdale Lakes), 44-0. Another perfect regular season for the Raiders.

Next: TBD in Class 3M, Region 3 quarterfinals.

8. Central, Miami (9-0)

Previous: 8.

Recap: Defeated Monsignor Pace (Miami Gardens, Fla.), 50-14. The Rockets have a weekend off before the playoffs.

Next: TBD in Class 2M, Region 4 quarterfinals.

9. Southlake (Texas) Carroll (9-0)

Previous: 10.

Recap: Defeated Byron Nelson (Trophy Club), 38-23. It’s a quick turnaround for the final regular season game.

Next: Thursday at Fossil Ridge (Keller).

10. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (10-1)

Previous: 11.

Recap: Defeated Faith Lutheran (Las Vegas), 72-0, in NIAA Class 5A Southern Region quarterfinals.

Next: Friday vs. Desert Pines (Las Vegas) in Class 5A Southern Region semifinals.

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

Previous:12.

Recap: Defeated Middletown (Del.), 58-0.

Next: Friday vs. West Toronto (Ont.) Prep.

12. Chaminade-Madonna College Prep, Hollywood, Fla. (9-0)

Previous: 13.

Recap: Defeated St. John Paul II (Boca Raton), 63-0. The Lions conclude the regular season this weekend.

Next: Thursday vs. Treasure Coast (Port St. Lucie).

13. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (9-1)

Previous: 14.

Recap: Defeated Norco, 42-0.

Next: Nov. 11 vs. Mission Viejo in CIF-Southern Section Division 1 quarterfinals.

14. Duncanville, Texas (8-0)

Previous: 15.

Recap: Defeated DeSoto, 41-17.

Next: Thursday at Mansfield Legacy.

15. Denton (Texas) Guyer (9-0)

Previous: 16.

Recap: Defeated McKinney, 42-21.

Next: Thursday vs. Rock Hill (Prosper).

16. Katy, Texas (9-0)

Previous: 17.

Recap: Defeated Seven Lakes (Katy), 59-0.

Next: Friday vs. Katy Taylor.

17. Longview, Texas (9-0)

Previous: 18.

Recap: Defeated Tyler, 42-3.

Next: Friday vs. West Mesquite.

18. American Heritage, Plantation, Fla. (8-1)

Previous: 19.

Recap: Defeated Hallandale, 63-0.

Next: TBD in Class 2M, Region 3 quarterfinals.

19. Lipscomb Academy, Nashville, Tenn. (10-0)

Previous: 20.

Recap: Defeated Battle Ground Academy (Franklin), 70-0. The Mustangs earned a bye to the quarterfinals

Next: Nov. 11 vs. Silverdale Baptist Academy (Chattanooga) or Evangelical Christian (Cordova) in Division II, Class AA quarterfinals.

20. Mount Carmel, Chicago, (10-0)

Previous: 21.

Recap: Defeated Buffalo Grove, 49-3, in Class 7A first round.

Next: Friday at Downers Grove North in Class 7A second round.

21. St. Edward, Lakewood, Ohio (10-1)

Previous: 22.

Recap: Defeated Stow-Munroe Falls, 49-6, in Division 1, Region 4 first round.

Next: Friday vs. Massillon Jackson.

22. Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, N.J. (7-2)

Previous: 23

Recap: Defeated DePaul Catholic (Wayne), 28-25.

Next: Nov. 11 vs. St. Augustine (Richland) or St. John Vianney (Holmdel) in Non-Public A quarterfinals.

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

Previous: 24.

Recap: Defeated Paramus Catholic, 48-20. Christian Gonzalez had a 31-yard, pick-six and RB Saeed St. Fleur rushed for touchdowns from 41 and 15 yards. Next up the Crusaders look to defend their state championship and have a bye to the quarterfinals.

Next: Nov. 12 vs. Hudson Catholic (Jersey City) or Donovan Catholic (Toms River) in the Non-Public A quarterfinals.

24. Bixby, Okla. (10-0)

Previous: 25.

Recap: Defeated Moore, 64-7. The Spartans play on ESPN2 this week.

Next: Thursday vs. Jenks.

25. Basha, Chandler, Arizona (7-1)

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Upended then-No. 9 Chandler (Ariz.), 14-7. The Bears have two games left in the regular season.

Next: Friday at Casteel (Queen Creek).

Dropped: No. 9 Chandler (Ariz.).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (7-1)
2. Good Counsel, Olney, Md. (8-1)
3. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (8-1)
4. Catholic Memorial, West Roxbury, Mass. (7-0)
5. Oscar Smith, Chesapeake, Va. (8-0)

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 (10-1)
2. Cathedral, Indianapolis (8-1)
3. Belleville, Mich. (10-0)
4. Lakota West, West Chester, Ohio (11-0)
5. Lincoln-Way East, Frankfort, Ill. (10-0)

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. (9-0)
2. Bryant, Ark. (8-0)
3. Mill Creek, Hoschton, Ga. (8-1)
4. Destrehan, La. (9-0)
5. Columbus, Miami (9-1)

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

Far West

1. Serra, San Mateo, Calif. (9-0)
2. Chandler, Ariz. (7-1)
3. Kahuku, Hawaii (10-2)
4. Folsom, Calif. (9-1)
5. Poly, Long Beach, Calif. (10-0)

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.