Christopher Lawlor
Blue Star Media Go-To 25 High School Football Rankings; California, Ohio teams join
BENSALEM, Pa. – Now that the entire nation is up and running the Blue Star Media Go-To 25 rankings are in full stride.
We’re starting to figure that No. 24 John Curtis Christian (River Ridge, La.) is a lighter version of last year’s team. Curtis was pounded by No. 4 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) last weekend and in the opening game barely scraped by a marginal Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.). In spite of the loss, the Patriots remain ranked and have a chance to atone against No. 3 Edna Karr (New Orleans) later this month.
Joining the Go-To 25 rankings are No. 21 Moeller (Cincinnati), Ohio’s Division I defending champion, and No. 23 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), who play one of southern California’s top competitive schedules in the state’s best league (Trinity League). Moeller still has league dates with Cincinnati schools Elder, St. Xavier and LaSalle. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) and Corona (Calif.) Centennial tumble from the nation’s elite.
There are a few games of note this weekend. In suburban Cleveland, No. 8 St. Edward (Lakewood) hosts Elder in a battle of Division I power programs; No. 14 North Shore (Galena Park, Texas) entertains Madison (Houston); and No. 20 Paramus (N.J.) Catholic unveils its new artificial surface when De Paul Catholic (Wayne) visits in the opening game of the Big North Conference United Division. The United Division is widely considered the nation’s premier league with the likes of Bergen Catholic (Oradell), regionally-ranked Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey) and No. 17 St. Joseph Regional (Montvale). Don’t count out De Paul, which has at least 10 high-major prospects, five of who are seniors.
Once again the season heats up, with a handful of Go-To 25 teams using a bye week to nurse injuries and ready themselves for the a big push toward the playoffs and ultimately a state championship. Get out and attend a game this weekend. Support you local high school and enjoy the revelry of youth. You’ll be glad you did.
Hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor
Blue Star Media Go-To 25 Rankings
1. Booker T. Washington, Miami (3-0)
Previous rank: 1.
Recap: Defeated Carol City (Miami), 45-0.
Up next: Thursday at Jackson (Miami).
2. Allen, Texas (3-0)
Previous rank: 2.
Recap: Defeated Richardson, 52-7. Heavily recruited junior QB Kyler Murray has hit on 43 of 68 passes (63.2 percent) for 796 yards and eight TDs and ran for four more scores.
Up next: Friday at Hebron (Carrollton).
3. Edna Karr, New Orleans (2-0)
Previous rank: 3.
Recap: Defeated St. Augustine (New Orleans), 33-24. The Cougars scored 19 unanswered points in the final period.
Up next: Sept. 26 vs. No. 8 John Curtis Christian (River Ridge).
4. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (2-0)
Previous rank: 4.
Recap: Defeated then-No. 8 John Curtis Christian (River Ridge, La.), 27-13. Mardre Jones scored on runs of 1 and 61 yards as the Raiders took a 24-0 halftime edge at the Superdome in New Orleans.
Up next: Friday vs. Miramar.
5. Central, Miami (2-1)
Previous: 5.
Recap: Defeated Coral Reef (Miami), 49-0.
Up next: Sept. 21 at Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.).
6. Hoover, Ala. (3-0)
Previous rank: 6.
Recap: Defeated Jackson-Olin (Birmingham), 56-0.
Up next: Friday vs. Northridge (Tuscaloosa).
7. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (3-0)
Previous rank: 7.
Recap: Defeated St. Mary’s (Stockton), 40-13. The Spartans have won 239 straight games against northern California competition.
Up next: Friday vs. Del Oro (Loomis).
8. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (3-0)
Previous rank: 9.
Recap: Defeated Chandler (Ariz.), 52-31. The Braves lost junior QB Josh Rosen with a shoulder injury but backup Andrew Katnik rallied the troops hitting on 10-of-11 passes for 121 yards and two TDs and engineered four straight scoring drives.
Up next: Friday vs. Loyola (Los Angeles) at Los Angeles Valley College.
9. St. Edward, Lakewood, Ohio (3-0)
Previous rank: 10.
Recap: Defeated H.D. Woodson (Washington, D.C.), 49-0. Andrew Dowdell and QB Brett Kean rushed for two TDs apiece.
Up next: Saturday vs. Elder (Cincinnati).
10. Mount Carmel, Chicago (3-0)
Previous rank: 11.
Recap: Defeated Bishop McNamara (Kankakee), 42-0.
Up next: Friday vs. Brother Rice (Chicago).
11. Katy, Texas (3-0)
Previous rank: 12.
Recap: Defeated The Woodlands, 37-14. The Tigers won their 41st consecutive game as Alabama junior recruit Rodney Anderson rumbled for 226 yards and four TDs, pushing his season total to 13 TDs.
Up next: Friday vs. Mayde Creek (Houston).
12. Serra, Gardena, Calif. (3-0)
Previous rank: 13.
Recap: Defeated Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks), 20-13.
Up next: Friday vs. Dorsey (Los Angeles).
13. DeSoto, Texas (3-0)
Previous rank: 14.
Recap: Defeated Euless Trinity, 61-35. QB Desmon White fired five TDs, clicking on 21 of 27 passes for 344 yards and rushed for 98 yards and another score.
Up next: Friday at Cedar Hill.
14. North Shore, Galena Park, Texas (3-0)
Previous: 15.
Recap: Defeated Cinco Ranch (Katy), 27-16. LB Zack Whitley, an Alabama recruit, missed the game but will play this weekend.
Up next: Friday vs. Madison (Houston).
15. Ensworth, Nashville, Tenn. (3-0)
Previous rank: 17.
Recap: Defeated Pope John Paul II (Hendersonville), 56-3.
Up next: Friday vs. Father Ryan (Nashville).
16. North Gwinnett, Suwanee, Ga. (3-0)
Previous: 18.
Recap: Defeated Norcross, 36-17. WR Nate Brown caught four TD passes and totaled 179 receiving yards.
Up next: Friday at Meadowcreek.
17. St. Joseph Regional, Montvale, N.J. (2-0)
Previous: 19.
Recap: Defeated New Smyrna Beach (Fla.), 49-13. Boston College-bound RB Sherman Alston rushed for two TDs heading into the bye week.
Up next: Sept. 28 vs. Bergen Catholic (Oradell) at Palisades Park Sportsplex.
18. Sandy Creek, Tyrone, Ga. (2-0-1)
Previous rank: 20.
Recap: Defeated East Coweta (Sharpsburg) 54-35. The Patriots opened a 28-0 lead after one quarter to extend its regular season streak to 42 games. QB Cole Garvin completed 12 of 18 passes for 203 yards and three TDs.
Up next: Sept. 27 at Fayette County (Fayetteville).
19. Cibolo (Texas) Steele (2-1)
Previous rank: 21.
Recap: Defeated Tivy (Kerrville), 49-7.
Up next: Friday vs. Westlake (Austin).
20. Paramus (N.J.) Catholic (2-0)
Previous rank: 22.
Recap: Defeated Delbarton (Morristown), 30-18. WR Najee Clayton caught a 74-yard TD pass late in the first half for a 14-3 lead.
Up next: Saturday vs. De Paul Catholic (Wayne).
21. Moeller, Cincinnati (3-0)
Previous rank: Not ranked.
Recap: Defeated St. Michael’s College (Toronto, Ontario), 64-13.
Up next: Friday vs. St. Xavier (Louisville, Ky.).
22. Apopka, Fla. (3-1)
Previous rank: 24.
Recap: Defeated Wekiva (Apopka), 80-26. The Blue Darters established a school record for most points. J.J. Simmons rushed for 178 yards and six TDs. Robert Thomas ran for 184 yards and two scores.
Up next: Friday at Boone (Orlando).
23. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (3-0)
Previous rank: Not ranked.
Recap: Defeated Carson, 33-0. The Monarchs have conceded 20 points in three contests.
Up next: Friday at Santa Monica.
24. John Curtis Christian, River Ridge, La. (1-1)
Previous rank: 8.
Recap: Lost to No. 4 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 27-13, at Superdome in New Orleans.
Up next: Friday at East St. John (Reserve).
25. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (3-1)
Previous rank: 25.
Recap: Defeated St. Frances Academy (Baltimore), 41-10.
Up next: Saturday at St. John’s (Washington, D.C.).
Dropped: No. 16. Corona (Calif.) Centennial and No. 23 Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.).
High-Fives by Region
East
1. Upper St. Clair, Pittsburgh (3-0)
2. Ocean Lakes, Virginia Beach, Va. (3-0)
3. Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, N.J. (1-1)
4. Bishop McDevitt, Harrisburg, Pa. (3-0)
5. Coatesville, Pa. (3-0)
Geography: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia.
Midlands
1. Cass Tech, Detroit (3-0)
2. Colerain, Cincinnati (3-0)
3. Blue Springs, Mo. (3-0)
4. Center Grove, Ind. (4-0)
5. Eden Prairie, Minn. (3-0)
Geography: Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
South
1. Jenks, Okla. (2-0)
2. University, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (3-0)
3. Mallard Creek, Charlotte, N.C. (4-0)
4. Brandon, Miss. (4-0)…S27
5. Northwestern, Rock Hill, S.C. (4-0)
Geography: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.
Far West
1. Mission Viejo, Calif. (3-0)
2. Mountain Pointe, Phoenix (4-0)
3. Hamilton, Chandler, Ariz. (3-0)
4. Vista Murietta, Murietta, Calif. (2-0)
5. Bellevue, Wash. (2-0)
Geography: Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
About: The Blue Star Media Go-To 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 23. Follow him on Twitter at #clawlor.
