BENSALEM, Pa. – Just over a month into the high school football season and the Blue Star Media Elite 25 rankings are starting to take shape. Last weekend had four teams with a bye and a national matchup of ranked teams was wiped out by inclement weather, while another game was halted at halftime by lightning.

First, we’d like to extend our best wishes and prayers to those affected by Hurricane Florence. The images from the Carolinas were chilling but special thanks to all those who assisted in making this natural disaster a little less strenuous. It will be a long way to recovery but hopefully normalcy is right around the corner.

Hurricane Florence did claim several games but it knocked out the prized matchup between No. 4 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) and No. 8 St. John’s College (Washington) that was slated for Saturday afternoon in the District of Columbia. In Texas, No. 3 Allen was leading 21-0 at halftime before lightning struck and the game was finally called after several delays just outside of Dallas.

Looking ahead the top game of the week will be played in California as No. 2 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) hosts No. 2 IMG Academy on Friday. It should be quite a matchup and will directly impact the Top 10.

We welcome No. 20 Colerain (Cincinnati) to the Elite 25 rankings. There was an opening and the Cardinals zoomed in. Colerain is Ohio’s top-ranked team in Division I according to the Associated Press. The Cardinals should run the table in the regular season but the Region 4 playoffs will be the true test. Colerain’s signature win this season a 14-12 decision over St. Xavier (Cincinnati), a team they may face in the postseason.

No. 21 Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) took it on the chin last Friday and plummet eight spots in the Elite 25. The Crusaders remain ranked because of their strength of schedule and they play in one of the nation’s top leagues. Coach Vito Campanile’s squad has long road ahead but is up for the challenge.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 rankings will return on Sept. 25.

There are plenty of games in your area so get out and support your local teams. Fridays are always special nights in the fall. Keep all those affected by the hurricane in your prayers. We hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Football Rankings, Sept. 18, 2018

1. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (5-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Recap: Defeated Chaminade (West Hills), 56-20.  RB George Holani ran for two TDs in the first half. The Braves head into their bye week before starting the Trinity League schedule.

Next: Sept. 28 vs. JSerra (San Juan Capistrano).

2. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (3-1) #

Previous: 2.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday vs. No. 4 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.).

3. Allen, Texas (3-0)

Previous: 3.

Recap: Game with Coppell was suspended at halftime due to lightning with the Eagles leading 21-0. It’s still a win.

Next: Sept. 28 vs. Plano.

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

Previous: 4.

Recap: Game with No. 8 St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.) was canceled because of Hurricane Florence and Maryland’s declared state of emergency last week. The game could be rescheduled later in the season.

Next: Friday at No. 2 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.).

5. Carol City, Miami Gardens, Fla. (3-0)

Previous: 5.

Recap: Defeated Norland (Miami), 36-7.

Next: Thursday vs. Dr. Krop (Miami).

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

Previous: 6.

Recap: Defeated Stranahan (Fort Lauderdale), 52-0. The defense posts second straight shutout and third this season.

Next: Friday vs. No. 16 Central (Miami).

7. Colquitt County, Norman Park, Ga. (5-0)

Previous: 7.

Recap: Defeated Warner Robins, 41-14.

Next: Friday at No. 22 Grayson (Loganville).

8. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (3-0)

Previous: 8.

Recap: Game with No. 4 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) canceled by Hurricane Florence.

Next: Saturday vs. Marietta (Ga.).

9. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (1-0)

Previous: 9.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Thursday at Lee (Jacksonville, Fla.).

10. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (5-0)

Previous: 10.

Recap: Defeated Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), 27-21. The Spartans trailed 14-7 late in the third but rallied for the win. RB Henry To’oto’o rushed for two TD, including a 55-yarder that put his team ahead to stay. To’oto’o finished with 125 yards on 14 carries.

Next: Friday at Buchanan (Clovis).

11. Lake Travis, Texas (2-0)

Previous: 11.

Recap: Defeated Bowie (Austin), 42-21. The Cavaliers were up 42-7 at halftime. QB Hudson Card totaled 381 yards in the first half and Ohio State-bound Garrett Wilson caught five balls for 172 yards and two TDs.

Next: Friday vs. Akins (Austin).

12. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (5-0)

Previous: 12.

Recap: Crushed Valley View (Moreno Valley), 77-7. It was a happy Homecoming in the Inland Empire.

Next: Sept. 27 at Santiago (Corona).

13. Wekiva, Apopka, Fla. (3-0)

Previous: 14.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday vs. Olympia (Orlando).

14. Warren Central, Indianapolis (5-0)

Previous: 15.

Recap: Defeated Ben Davis (Indianapolis), 70-27. WR David Bell caught six passes for 152 yards and three TDs and RB Romeir Elliott rushed for 224 yards and three scores. QB Jayden George was scintillating, completing 24 of 31 for 349 yards and five TDs. That’s an offensive juggernaut.

Next: Friday at Pike (Indianapolis).

15. Rome, Ga. (4-0)

Previous: 18.

Recap: Outlasted Carrollton, 65-51, in a shootout. The combination of RB Jamious Griffin (28 carries for 285 yards, four TDs) and WR Xavier Roberts-Donaldson (11 catches for 248 yards, four TDs) accounted for eight TDs against a quality team.

Next: Friday vs. Cass (White).

16. Central, Miami (3-1)

Previous: 6.

Recap:  Defeated Edison (Miami), 41-0. The Rockets will have their hands full this weekend and vice-versa.

Next: Friday at No. 6 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale).

17. Saint Louis, Honolulu (4-0)

Previous: 19.

Recap: Defeated Punahou School (Honolulu), 35-28. DT Faatui Tuitele recorded two sacks, spearheading the defense that had four INTs, including a 43-yard, pick-six from Kamo’i Latu. QB Jayden de Laura ran for two TDs and passed for another.

Next: Friday at Kapolei.

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

Previous: 20.

Recap: Pounded Westfield (Houston), 35-3. Zach Evans rushed for two TDs. It’s clearly a quality win over Texas’ 10th-ranked Class 6A team. The Mustangs are averaging 38 points per outing.

Next: Sept. 28 at La Porte.

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

Previous: 22.

Recap: Edged Pleasant Grove, 35-32. The Miners were challenged but prevailed as RB Evona Hall rushed for four scores and Jared Greenfield returned a kickoff 93 yards for a TD.

Next: Friday vs. Westlake (Saratoga Springs).

20. Colerain, Cincinnati (4-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Defeated Middletown, 44-3. The Cardinal sit atop Ohio’s Division I rankings.

Next: Friday at Sycamore (Cincinnati).

21. Bergen Catholic, Oradell, N.J. (2-1)

Previous: 13.

Recap: Lost St. Peter’s Prep (Jersey City), 34-7, in a rematch of last year’s state title game.

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

22. Grayson, Loganville, Ga. (3-1)

Previous: 18.

Recap: Defeated Westlake (Atlanta), 21-16.

Next: Friday vs. No. 7 Colquitt County (Norman Park).

23. Centennial, Peoria, Ariz. (4-0)

Previous: 23.

Recap: Defeated Ironwood Ridge (Tucson), 55-7. The Wolves went up 41-7 at halftime with a 20-0 burst in the second quarter.

Next: Friday vs. Millennium (Goodyear).

24. Pickerington (Ohio) Central (4-0)

Previous: 24.

Recap: Shut out Groveport-Madison, 33-0.

Next: Friday at Hilliard Davidson (Hilliard).

25. Chandler, Ariz. (3-1)

Previous: 25.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday at Desert Ridge (Mesa).

Dropped: No. 21 Hoover (Ala.).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Gonzaga, Washington, D.C. (4-0)
2. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (2-0)
3. St. Peter’s Prep, Jersey City, N.J. (2-1)
4. Oscar Smith, Chesapeake, Va. (3-0)
5. Coatesville, Pa. (4-0)

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

Midwest

1. Mentor, Ohio (4-0)
2. Archbishop Hoban, Akron, Ohio (4-0)
3. Belleville, Mich. (4-0)
4. Lincoln-Way East, Frankfort, Ill. (4-0)
5. Burke, Omaha, Neb. (4-0)

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

Southland

1. Dutch Fork, Irmo, S.C. (3-0)
2. Converse (Texas) Judson (2-0)
3. Starkville, Miss. (4-0)
4. John Curtis Christian, River Ridge, La. (3-0)
5. Brentwood (Tenn.) Academy (5-0)

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

Far West

1. Oaks Christian School, Westlake Village, Calif. (5-0)
2. Orange (Calif.) Lutheran (3-1)
3. Mission Viejo, Calif. (5-0)
4. Valor Christian, Highlands Ranch, Colo. (4-0)
5. Graham-Kapowsin, Graham, Wash. (3-0)

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

# Includes a forfeit loss

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 in late December. Follow him on Twitter at #clawlor.