Blue Star Media Go-To 25 High School Football rankings; Oscar Smith (Va.), Loyola Academy (Ill.) join fray

BENSALEM, Pa. – After three weeks the Blue Star Media Go-To 25 high school football rankings have two new additions. Albeit only two teams join but it’s a testament to teams that put themselves in position to slide into the prestigious ranks once there is an opening.

No. 20 Loyola Academy (Wilmette, Ill.) took control of the Chicago Catholic League Blue race with a 24-17 win over previous-No. 8 Mount Carmel (Chicago) in a game that was played over two days because of lousy weather. The final quarter was played on Sunday after torrential rains on Saturday were enough to suspend the contest with two seconds left in the third. Now the Ramblers have three games left in the regular season, including two in the league, before embarking on a state title. One caveat: A year ago Mount Carmel lost this same game but went onto to win the Class 7A state title. Will history repeat?

No. 23 Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, Va.) is a well oiled machined headed to a state title. The Tigers are scoring at will and in bunches while the defense allows less than six points per game.

There are three games involving Go-To 25 ranked teams that need to be tagged.

In suburban Maryland, the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference regular season title could be on the line when No. 25 DeMatha (Hyattsville) visits Bishop McNamara (Forestville). DeMatha and Gonzaga (Washington) are in first but McNamara (5-1) is knocking on the door under former Washington Redskin Keith Goganious. If DeMatha survives Gonzaga (on Oct. 18) awaits.

In California, No. 6 St. John Bosco (Bellflower) plays Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita) at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo. This Trinity League tussle sets up the Braves for showdown with No. 22 Mater Dei (Santa Ana) on Nov. 1 in Bellflower.

When Moeller (Cincinnati) makes their biennial trip to GCL South rivals Elder (Cincinnati) Friday, the Crusaders meets the vaunted 12^th man of The Pit. More than 10,000 purple clad fanatics will pack the nation’s top-rated high school stadium. The sheer atmosphere, location and prep crazy Cincy drive this game. Good luck getting in Friday but if you do go, arrive at least three hours before kickoff because it’s a mad scramble into the stadium when the doors open for general admission patrons.

There’s never a dull moment on the high school level; too many subplots each week. That’s tonnage of stories in 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Remember to attend a game this weekend or sometime this fall. Support your local schoolboys on the gridiron. With some programs, it’s a way of life. The eyes of a nation are watching.

Hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Go-To 25 Rankings

1. Booker T. Washington, Miami (5-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Recap: Defeated Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), 28-12. The rest of the season will be spent seeking another Class 4A title.

Up next: Saturday vs. Northwestern (Miami).

2. Allen, Texas (5-0)

Previous: 2.

Recap: Idle.

Up next: Friday vs. Plano East.

3. Central, Miami (4-1)

Previous: 3.

Recap: Defeated Homestead, 37-20.

Up next: Friday vs. Norland (Miami).

4. Hoover, Ala. (6-0)

Previous: 4.

Recap: Defeated Bessemer City (Bessemer), 48-7. The Bucs had three pick-six TDs and blue-chip prospect Marlon Humphrey returned the opening kickoff 83 yards for a score.

Up next: Friday vs. Hillcrest (Tuscaloosa).

5. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (6-0)

Previous: 5.

Recap: Defeated Servite (Anaheim), 35-10. John Velasco ran for 155 yards and three scores.

Up next: Oct. 18 at Logan (Union City).

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

Previous rank: 6.

Recap: Defeated Crenshaw (Los Angeles), 75-35. The Blue and Gold embark on five games in the Trinity League to conclude the regular season.

Up next: Friday at Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita) at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo.

7. St. Edward, Lakewood, Ohio (6-0)

Previous: 7.

Recap: Defeated Cardinal Mooney (Youngstown), 41-14. After a week off, the Eagles tangle with their archrivals. It’s a night that Cleveland will rock!

Up next: Oct. 19 vs. St. Ignatius (Cleveland).

8. Katy, Texas (5-0)

Previous: 9.

Recap: Idle.

Up next: Friday vs. Katy Taylor.

9. Serra, Gardena, Calif. (5-0)

Previous: 10.

Recap: Idle.

Up next: Friday at Harvard-Westlake (Studio City).

10. DeSoto, Texas (5-0)

Previous: 11.

Recap: Idle.

Up next: Friday vs. Mansfield Timberview (Arlington).

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

Previous: 12.

Recap: Idle.

Up next: Friday at Port Arthur Memorial.

12. Ensworth, Nashville, Tenn. (6-0)

Previous: 13.

Recap: Defeated Montgomery Bell Academy (Nashville), 35-21.

Up next: Friday vs. Giles County (Pulaski).

13. North Gwinnett, Suwanee, Ga. (5-0)

Previous: 14.

Recap: Defeated Duluth, 52-21. C.J. Leggett’s two TD runs in the third sealed it. QB Hayden Sphire tossed three TDs.

Up next: Friday vs. Mill Creek (Hoschton).

14. St. Joseph Regional, Montvale, N.J. (4-0)

Previous: 15.

Recap: Defeated Wayne Hills (Wayne), 35-0.

Up next: Oct. 18 at St. Peter’s Prep (Jersey City).

15. Paramus (N.J.) Catholic (4-0)

Previous: 16.

Recap: Idle.

Up next: Saturday vs. St. Mark’s (Wilmington, Del.)

16. Moeller, Cincinnati (6-0)

Previous: 17.

Recap: Defeated LaSalle (Cincinnati), 31-28. For the second straight week, Big Moe scored a late victory, this time RB Gus Ragland scored his second TD of the game with 1:28 left to win it. The Crusaders visit The Pit this weekend. Never fun. Elder will be ready with GCL South title potentially at stake.

Up next: Friday at Elder (Cincinnati).

17. Sandy Creek, Tyrone, Ga. (4-0-1)

Previous: 18.

Recap: Defeated Troup County (LaGrange), 21-0. The Patriots earned a shutout by playing stout defense.

Up next: Friday at Shaw (Columbus).

18. Cibolo (Texas) Steele (4-1)

Previous: 19.

Recap: Idle.

Up next: Friday vs. King (Corpus Christi).

19. Apopka, Fla. (6-1)

Previous: 20.

Recap: Defeated West Orange (Winter Garden), 52-35. The Blur Darters have bye week before closing with three games.

Up next: Oct. 18 at Evans (Orlando).

20. Loyola Academy, Wilmette, Ill. (6-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Upended then-No. 8 Mount Carmel (Chicago), 24-17. The game was suspended on Saturday due to inclement weather and resumed Sunday. The Ramblers forced five turnovers.

Up next: Friday at De La Salle (Chicago).

21. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (4-1)

Previous: 21.

Recap: Defeated South Broward (Hollywood), 66-0. Wade Freebeck found the end zone five times.

Up next: Friday at Northeast (Oakland Park).

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

Previous rank: 22.

Recap: Idle. Head coach Bruce Rollinson will be recognized prior to the game for 25 years of service at his alma mater.

Up next: Friday vs. Servite (Anaheim) at Angel’s Stadium, Anaheim.

23. Oscar Smith, Chesapeake, Va. (5-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Defeated Deep Creek (Chesapeake), 70-6. The Tigers have allowed only 28 points.

Up next: Friday at Nansemond River (Suffolk).

24. Edna Karr, New Orleans (3-1)

Previous: 24.

Recap: Defeated Cox (Harvey). QB Kerry Taylor passed for four TDs.

Up next: Friday at Landry-Walker (New Orleans).

25. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (6-1)

Previous: 25.

Recap: Defeated Bishop O’Connell (Arlington, Va.), 49-14. The Stags were down 14-7 at the half before rolling in the final 24 minutes. Another huge test awaits, with first place in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference on the line.

Up next: Saturday at Bishop McNamara (Forestville).

Dropped: No. 8 Mount Carmel (Chicago) lost to Loyola Academy (Wilmette), 24-17; No. 23 John Curtis Christian (River Ridge, La.) lost to St. Augustine (New Orleans), 29-28.

High-Fives by Region

1. Upper St. Clair, Pittsburgh (6-0)

2. Ocean Lakes, Virginia Beach, Va. (5-0)

3. Bishop McDevitt, Harrisburg, Pa. (6-0)

4. Coatesville, Pa. (6-0)                      

5. Central Catholic, Pittsburgh (6-0)

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 (6-0)

2. Colerain, Cincinnati (6-0)

3. Blue Springs, Mo. (6-0)

4. Brother Rice, Bloomfield Hills, Mich. (6-0)

5. Eden Prairie, Minn. (5-0)

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

South

1. Jenks, Okla. (5-0)

2. University, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (6-0)

3. Mallard Creek, Charlotte, N.C. (6-0)

4. Brandon, Miss. (6-0)

5. Northwestern, Rock Hill, S.C. (6-0)

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

Far West

1. Mission Viejo, Calif. (6-0)

2. Folsom, Calif. (5-0)

3. Mountain Pointe, Phoenix (7-0)

4. Bellevue, Wash. (5-0)

5. Bingham, South Jordan, Utah (7-0)

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.