Christopher Lawlor
Blue Star Media Go-To 25 High School Football rankings; No. 16 Colerain of Cincinnati debuts
BENSALEM, Pa. – There was slight movement in the Blue Star Media Go-To 25 high school football rankings. No. 16 Colerain (Cincinnati) is added to the rankings after St. Edward, a Cleveland, Ohio area team, crashed out in a rivalry game.
Colerain, a high-powered offensive juggernaut, is ripping through the southwestern Ohio competition but will soon enter the Division I, Region 2 playoffs. The Cardinals are a perennial power and last week were Ohio’s No. 3 ranked team in Division I (the largest classification). They are sure to move up to No. 2 behind Moeller (Cincinnati), who we have at No. 14.
Two games stand out this weekend and in Alaska two state champions will be crowned.
In New Jersey, a bit of luster was taken off the No. 13 St. Joseph Regional (Montvale) vs. No. 24 Paramus Catholic contest, scheduled for Saturday afternoon. SJR is stifling opponents and clubbed St. Peter’s Prep (Jersey City), a quality program, 56-28. Don’t be surprised if Prep advances to the Non-Public Group 4 final, but that is the state’s most competitive bracket and just advancing to the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford is a feat. Paramus Catholic lost to Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey), 20-13, and tumbled nine spots in the Go-To 25 rankings. SJR leap back up the rankings with a win but many feel this is the best team that veteran coach Tony Karcich has fielded. SJR should win the Non-Public Group 3 title but still has Don Bosco on Thanksgiving.
In Ohio, No. 14 Moeller travels Saturday to regionally-ranked St. Edward (Lakewood). The Eagles were upended last weekend by archrivals St. Ignatius (Cleveland), 23-17, and are desperate for redemption. This could be a preview of the Division I state final, provided both teams advance through tough regions.
Kudos to Nikiski (Alaska), which scored three unanswered touchdowns, to defeat Monroe, 36-28, to win the Alaskan small-school state title. It was the school’s second championship in three seasons. This weekend in Anchorage the medium and large school title games will be played.
Keep in mind most states are winding down the regular season. The playoffs are on the horizon. So, remember to attend a game this weekend or sometime this fall. Support your local schoolboys on the gridiron. With some programs and in small town America, it’s a way of life.
Hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor
Blue Star Media Go-To 25 Rankings
1. Booker T. Washington, Miami (8-0)
Previous rank: 1.
Recap: Defeated Gulliver Prep (Miami), 41-7.
Up next: Thursday vs. Norland (Miami).
2. Allen, Texas (7-0)
Previous: 2.
Recap: Defeated Plano West, 77-37. Highly touted junior QB Kyler Murray threw for 248 yards and four TDs and ran for 146 yards and three scores on only seven carries.
Up next: Friday vs. McKinney Boyd.
3. Central, Miami (6-1)
Previous: 3.
Recap: Defeated Northwestern (Miami), 44-13. Florida=bound RB Dalvin Cook rushed for 234 yards, including a 91-yard TD gallop. Joseph Yearby carried 18 times for 141 yards.
Up next: Friday at Carol City (Miami).
4. Hoover, Ala. (7-0)
Previous: 4.
Recap: Defeated Minor (Adamsville), 41-9.
Up next: Friday vs. Tuscaloosa County (Northport).
5. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (7-0)
Previous: 5
Recap: Defeated Logan, 49-7. RB John Velasco scored three TDs.
Up next: Friday vs. Amador Valley (Pleasanton).
6. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (7-0)
Previous: 6.
Recap: Defeated Orange Lutheran, 42-24.
Up next: Friday at JSerra (San Juan Capistrano).
7. Katy, Texas (7-0)
Previous: 8.
Recap: Defeated Katy Seven Lakes, 17-12. Kyle Porter ran 43 yards for a score and Manny Mendoza kicked a 30-yard FG in the third quarter when the Tigers took a 17-6 lead.
Up next: Saturday at Strake Jesuit (Houston).
8. Serra, Gardena, Calif. (7-0)
Previous: 9.
Recap: Defeated Chaminade (West Hills), 36-0. Coach Scott Altenberg’s team has allowed 20 points in the last three games.
Up next: Friday vs. Cathedral (Los Angeles).
9. DeSoto, Texas (7-0)
Previous: 10.
Recap: Defeated Midlothian, 62-42. QB Desmon White hit on 26 on 37 passes for 370 yards and four TDs and added another one rushing in a good ol’ Texas shootout.
Up next: Friday vs. Duncanville.
10. North Shore, Galena Park, Texas (7-0)
Previous: 11.
Recap: Defeated Baytown Sterling, 51-0. Kevian DeLeon scored three TDs for the Mustangs.
Up next: Friday vs. West Brook (Beaumont) at Houston Reliant Stadium.
11. Ensworth, Nashville, Tenn. (7-0)
Previous: 12.
Recap: Idle.
Up next: Friday at Baylor Prep (Chattanooga).
12. North Gwinnett, Suwanee, Ga. (7-0)
Previous: 13.
Recap: Defeated Habersham Central (Mount Airy), 41-0. QB Hayden Sphire completed 20 passes for 277 yards and three TDSs. The defense allowed 39 total yards.
Up next: Friday vs. Collins Hill (Suwanee).
13. St. Joseph Regional, Montvale, N.J. (5-0)
Previous: 14.
Recap: Defeated St. Peter’s Prep (Jersey City), 56-28. Big-time win for the Green Knights, but this weekend is the biggest challenge all season. Could this be coach Tony Karcich’s finest team?
Up next: Saturday vs. No. 24 Paramus Catholic.
14. Moeller, Cincinnati (8-0)
Previous: 16.
Recap: Defeated Cathedral (Indianapolis), 35-14. QB Gus Ragland threw for 217 yards and tossed a 58-yard TD to Isaiah Gentry (six receptions, 160 yards).
Up next: Saturday at regionally-ranked St. Edward (Lakewood).
15. Sandy Creek, Tyrone, Ga. (6-0-1)
Previous: 17.
Recap: Defeated Alexander (Douglasville), 52-42. RB Delvin Weems found the end zone four times.
Up next: Friday vs. LaGrange.
16. Colerain, Cincinnati (8-0)
Previous: Not ranked.
Recap: Defeated Mason, 63-14.
Up next: Friday at Middletown.
17. Cibolo (Texas) Steele (6-1)
Previous: 18.
Recap: Defeated South San Antonio, 49-7.
Up next: Friday vs. East Central (San Antonio).
18. Apopka, Fla. (7-1)
Previous: 19.
Recap: Defeated Evans (Orlando), 46-0.
Up next: Friday vs. Edgewater (Orlando).
19. Loyola Academy, Wilmette, Ill. (8-0)
Previous: 20.
Recap: Defeated Lake Forest Academy, 35-7.
Up next: Friday at St. Rita (Chicago).
20. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (6-1)
Previous: 21.
Recap: Defeated Cypress Bay (Weston), 35-0.
Up next: Friday vs. Hollywood Hills (Hollywood).
21. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (7-0)
Previous: 22.
Recap: Defeated JSerra (San Juan Capistrano), 38-14.
Up next: Friday vs. Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita).
22. Oscar Smith, Chesapeake, Va. (7-0)
Previous: 23.
Recap: Defeated Nansemond River (Suffolk), 48-7, and Grassfield (Chesapeake), 42-0.
Up next: Friday vs. King’s Fork (Suffolk).
23. Edna Karr, New Orleans (5-1)
Previous: 24.
Recap: Defeated King (Metairie), 56-0.
Up next: Friday vs. Belle Chasse.
24. Paramus (N.J.) Catholic (5-1)
Previous: 15.
Recap: Lost to Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey), 20-13. The Paladins look for redemption this weekend.
Up next: Saturday at No. 13 St. Joseph Regional (Montvale).
25. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (8-1)
Previous: 25.
Recap: Defeated Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.), 31-21. The Stags wrapped the top seed in the upcoming Washington Catholic Athletic Conference playoffs.
Up next: Nov. 2 at Archbishop Carroll (Washington).
Dropped: No. 7. St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio) lost to St. Ignatius (Cleveland), 23-17.
High-Fives by Region
East
1. Upper St. Clair, Pittsburgh (8-0)
2. Ocean Lakes, Virginia Beach, Va. (7-0)
3. Bishop McDevitt, Harrisburg, Pa. (8-0)
4. Coatesville, Pa. (8-0)
5. Central Catholic, Pittsburgh (8-0)
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 (8-0)
2. St. Edward, Lakewood, Ohio (6-1)
3. Blue Springs, Mo. (8-0)
4. Brother Rice, Bloomfield Hills, Mich. (8-0)
5. Eden Prairie, Minn. (7-0)
Geography: Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
South
1. Jenks, Okla. (7-0)
2. University, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (8-0)
3. Manatee, Bradenton, Fla. (8-0)
4. Mallard Creek, Charlotte, N.C. (8-0)
5. Northwestern, Rock Hill, S.C. (8-0)
Geography: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.
Far West
1. Mission Viejo, Calif. (7-0)
2. Folsom, Calif. (7-0)
3. Mountain Pointe, Phoenix (9-0)
4. Bellevue, Wash. (7-0)
5. Bingham, South Jordan, Utah (9-0)
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.
