BENSALEM, Pa. – When two teams appear in the Blue Star Media Elite 25 high school football rankings from the same district, then it’s worth checking out.

That’s the way life is in Florida’s District 16-6A, perhaps the nation’s most competitive loop. Last weekend when Miami schools Northwestern, Central, Norland, Hialeah and Carol City. Well, No. 17 Northwestern (Miami) knocked off then-No. 9 Central (Miami), 21-7, and iced a second consecutive district title and automatic bid into the Class 6A, Region 4 playoffs. Meanwhile, No. 19 Central cratered 10 spots with the loss and is hoping it can qualify for the postseason after missing out a year ago.

The Northwestern Bulls return to the Elite 25, replacing St. Xavier (Cincinnati), Ohio’s defending Division I state champion. St. Xavier dropped out after a 28-14 loss to St. Ignatius (Cleveland) and resides in the Midlands Region. St. Xavier and St. Ignatius could meet again in the state final.

This weekend St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio) plays St. Ignatius in a huge rivalry game. Kickoff is 7 p.m. ET on Saturday at Lakewood Stadium.

No. 24 John Curtis Christian (River Ridge, La.) hosts Archbishop Rummel (Metairie) on Friday in a District 8-5A showdown. Here’s another instance where two rivals could meet again in the state playoffs.

In a few weeks, the postseason will be in full force, but for now, there is a handful underway. So make sure to get out for a game near you this weekend.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Football Rankings Oct. 24, 2017

1. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (8-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Recap: Defeated JSerra (San Juan Capistrano), 45-3. Junior QB JT Daniels was an efficient 16 of 21 for 224 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for two more scores.

Next: Friday vs. Orange Lutheran.

2. Allen, Texas (7-0)

Previous: 2.

Recap: Defeated Denton Guyer, 38-7. Junior QB Grant Tisdale completed 7 of 11 passes for 139 yards and two TDs and ran for two more scores.

Next: Friday vs. McKinney.

3. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (6-0)

Previous: 3.

Recap: Defeated East (Salt Lake City, Utah), 43-19.

Next: Nov. 3 at Hoover (Ala.).

4. Katy, Texas (5-0)

Previous: 5.

Recap: Defeated Morton Ranch (Katy), 65-10.

Next: Friday at Katy Tompkins.

5. Converse (Texas) Judson (7-0)

Previous: 5.

Recap: Defeated Wagner (San Antonio), 49-14. Sincere McCormick busted out with three scoring runs from 32, 45 and 81 yards.

Next: Friday at Schertz Clemens.

6. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (6-1)

Previous: 6.

Recap: Defeated Boyd Anderson (Lauderdale Lakes), 38-14. Junior RB Daniel Carter ran for TDs from 5 and 51 yards.

Next: Friday at Ely (Pompano Beach).

7. American Heritage, Plantation, Fla. (6-0)

Previous: 7.

Recap: Defeated Jackson (Miami), 47-9.

Next: Friday vs. Hallandale.

8. Archer, Lawrenceville, Ga. (8-0)

Previous: 8.

Recap: Defeated Rockdale County (Conyers), 56-7.

Next: Friday at South Gwinnett (Snellville).

9. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (7-2)

Previous: 10.

Recap: Defeated Durango (Las Vegas), 55-0. UCLA-bound QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson was perfect completing all nine passes for 275 yards and five TDs and RB Amod Cianelli ran for a pair of scores. The Gaels close out the regular season and host Senior Night this week.

Next: Thursday vs. Sierra Vista (Las Vegas).

10. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (7-0)

Previous: 11.

Recap: Defeated La Salle College (Wyndmoor, Pa.), 28-14. Kolbe Burrell’s 1-yard TD in the third quarter gave the Hawks a 14-7 lead and they went on to clinch the Philadelphia Catholic League Red Division title.

Next: Saturday at Archbishop Ryan (Philadelphia).

11. DeSoto, Texas (7-0)

Previous: 12.

Recap: Defeated Irving, 28-0. Daryon Triche and Dylan Lawrence scored second half TDs.

Next: Friday vs. Duncanville.

12. Ben Davis, Indianapolis (9-0)

Previous: 13.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday at Lawrence Central (Indianapolis) in Class 6A, Sectional 6 first round.

13. South Pointe, Rock Hill, S.C. (9-0)

Previous: 14.

Recap: Defeated Richland Northeast (Columbia), 61-3. The Stallions close out the regular season this weekend and then set their sets on another state championship run.

Next: Friday vs. York.

14. Bingham, South Jordan, Utah (9-0)

Previous: 15.

Recap: Idle. The Miners get set to defend their Class 6A state championship.

Next: Friday vs. Cyprus (Manga) in Class 6A first round.

15. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (8-1)

Previous: 16.

Recap: Defeated Monte Vista (Danville), 45-7.

Next: Nov. 3 vs. San Ramon Valley (Danville).

16. Lowndes County, Valdosta, Ga. (9-0)

Previous: 18.

Recap: Crushed Camden County (Kingsland), 52-10. The Vikings have a huge game for the Region title this weekend.

Next: Friday vs. Colquitt County (Moultrie).

17. Northwestern, Miami (7-1)

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Defeated then-No. 9 Central (Miami), 21-7. The Bulls captured their second straight e District 16-6A title. Louisville-bound QB Tutu Atwell threw for 222 yards and two TDs.

Next: Thursday vs. Norland (Miami).

18. Grayson, Loganville, Ga. (7-1)

Previous: 19.

Recap: Defeated Newton (Covington), 41-16.

Next: Friday vs. Rockdale County (Conyers).

19. Central, Miami (7-2)

Previous: 9.

Recap: Lost to Northwestern (Miami), 21-7.

Next: Friday vs. Carol City.

20. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (6-2)

Previous: 20.

Recap: Outlasted Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita), 40-38. Sophomore QB DJ Uiagalelei was 23 for 38 for 401 yards and two TDs. Junior WR Joshua Delgardo caught 5 balls or 123 yards. Kristopher Hudson caught two TD strikes.

Next: Friday vs. Servite (Anaheim) to be played at Cerritos College in Norwalk.

21. Trinity, Louisville, Ky. (10-0)

Previous: 21.

Recap: Defeated Ballard (Louisville), 49-0. The Shamrocks cruised to another district title and receive a first-round playoff bye.

Next: Nov. 3 vs. TBA in the Class 6A playoffs.

22. Mission Viejo, Calif. (9-0)

Previous: 22.

Recap: Shut out Trabuco Hills (Mission Viejo), 63-0. The Diablos have a late season bye and then end the regular season.

Next: Nov. 3 vs. San Clemente.

23. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (6-1)

Previous: 23.

Recap: Defeated Corona, 65-0. The Huskies scored all their points in the first half and the running clock kicked in early in the second quarter. The high-powered offense averages 48 points per game.

Next: Friday vs. Norco.

24. John Curtis Christian, River Ridge, La. (7-1)

Previous: 24.

Recap: Defeated Holy Cross (New Orleans), 37-15.

Next: Friday vs. Archbishop Rummel (Metairie).

25 Centennial, Peoria, Ariz. (8-0)

Previous: 25.

Recap: Defeated Willow Canyon (Surprise), 49-0. The Coyotes were up 42-0 at halftime.

Next: Friday vs. Liberty (Peoria).

Dropped: No. 17 St. Xavier, Cincinnati.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Pine-Richland, Gibsonia, Pa. (9-0)
2. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (8-0)
3. Gonzaga, Washington, D.C. (7-1)
4. Cathedral Prep, Erie, Pa. (9-0)
5. Wise, Upper Marlboro, Md. (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. St. Edward, Lakewood, Ohio (9-0)
2. St. Ignatius, Cleveland (8-1)
3. St. Xavier, Cincinnati (8-1)
4. Kimberly, Wis. (10-0)
5. Lincoln-Way East, Frankfort, Ill. (9-0)

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

Southland

1. Westlake, Austin, Texas (7-0)
2. Central, Phenix City, Ala. (8-0)
3. Hoover, Ala. (7-1)
4. Pearl, Miss. (10-0)
5. Brentwood (Tenn.) Academy (8-0)

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

Far West

1. Saint Louis, Honolulu (8-0)
2. Chaminade, West Hills, Calif. (7-1)
3. Poly, Long Beach, Calif. (7-1)
4. Valor Christian, Highlands Ranch, Colo. (8-0)…Fri til N3
5. Camas, Wash. (8-0)

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 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.