CACTUS STATE COLLISION: No. 8 Chandler, No. 20 Hamilton meet in Arizona showdown; Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings static for another week

BENSALEM, Pa. — For a second straight week the Blue Star Media Elite 25 high school football rankings were static. That’s a bit strange for this time of year but eight teams from the Elite 25 had bye weeks, including four teams from the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section Division 1 bracket.

So, four of the eight teams from that tournament enjoyed a bye week before waging battle for the next three weekends to determine a champion and the favorite to win it all in the Golden State’s largest and most prestigious classification.

Florida, Georgia, Texas and the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference also are bracketed and will go strong for the next two to six weeks. Arizona still has a week remaining in the regular season but the national Game of the Week will take place Friday when No. 8 Chandler travels to crosstown rival No. 20 Hamilton (Chandler) to decide the region champion and top seed in the Arizona Open Division playoffs. Expect a rematch of these teams, barring an upset, in the final.

We’re anticipating more to report next week as the playoffs go deeper and the best of the best are playing for keeps.

That’s it for the final weekend in October. Hope you had a spooky Halloween. The Blue Star Media Elite 25 rankings return on Nov. 16.

Don’t forget Thursday is Veterans Day. That’s a day we recognize all the men and women who served our great land. If you know someone or meet a person that was a member of the armed forces, please thank them for their service to our nation. That’s the ultimate living gesture you can pay them. Remember, it doesn’t cost you a dime but just a few seconds of your time.

Last thought: Get out and see a playoff game in your area. The season is winding down and high drama is sure to ensue.

We hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Football Rankings, Nov. 9, 2021

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

Previous rank: 1.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday vs. Norco in CIF-Southern Section, Division 1 quarterfinals.

2. Westlake, Austin, Texas (10-0)

Previous: 2.

Recap: Defeated Lake Travis (Austin), 63-21. The Chaps won the District 26-6A title and head into the playoffs after beating their archrivals.

Next: Friday vs. Hutton in Class 6A, Division II bi-district playoff game.

3. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (9-1)

Previous: 3.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday vs. Los Alamitos in the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 quarterfinals.

4. Collins Hill, Suwanee, Ga. (10-0)

Previous: 4.

Recap: Idle. The Eagles are Region 8-AAAAAAA champions but need five postseason victories to complete a state title run.

Next: Friday vs. Lambert (Suwanee) in Class 7A first round.

5. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (9-0)

Previous: 5.

Recap: Defeated Clarkston North (Mississauga, Ontario), 28-0. The Ascenders have a week off before heading into their season finale.

Next: Nov. 19 vs. No. 17 St. Frances Academy (Baltimore).

6. Katy, Texas (10-0)

Previous: 6.

Recap: Defeated Katy Morton Ranch, 66-15. The Tigers enter the postseason averaging 48 points per game.

Next: Friday vs. Fort Bend Clements (Sugar Land) in Class 6A, Division II bi-district playoff game.

7. Southlake (Texas) Carroll (10-0)

Previous: 7.

Recap: Defeated Keller Fossil Ridge, 62-14. QB Kaden Anderson completed 14-of-16 passes for 196 yards and three scores, including two to Boston College-commit TE R.J. Maryland. RB Owen Allen carried 12 times for 169 yards and two TDs.

Next: Friday vs. North Crowley (Fort Worth) in the Class 6A, Division I bi-district playoff game.

8. Chandler, Ariz. (9-0)

Previous: 8.

Recap: Defeated Highland (Gilbert), 10-7. The Wolves’ narrow win sets up a rivalry game for a region title and top seed in the upcoming Arizona Open Division playoffs.

Next: Friday at No. 20 Hamilton (Chandler).

9. Bergen Catholic, Oradell, N.J. (9-0)

Previous: 9.

Recap: Idle. It takes three wins for the Non-Public A state title.

Next: Saturday vs. Donovan Catholic (Toms River) in the Non-Public A quarterfinals.

10. Hoover, Ala. (11-0)

Previous: 10.

Recap: Defeated Sparkman (Harvest), 56-14, in Class 7A first round. The Bucs won the regular-season matchup, 34-10, on Oct. 1.

Next: Friday vs. Hewitt-Trussville in the Class 7A second round.

11. Bixby, Okla. (10-0)

Previous: 11.

Recap: Defeated Booker T. Washington (Tulsa), 69-20.

Next: Friday vs. Putnam City North (Oklahoma City) in Class 6A-II quarterfinals.

12. Thompson, Alabaster, Ala. (10-1)

Previous: 12.

Recap:  Defeated Florence, 49-10, in Class 7A first round.

Next: Friday vs. Oak Mountain (Pelham) Class 7A second round.

13. Jesuit, Tampa, Fla. (10-0)

Previous: 13.

Recap: Defeated Tampa Catholic, 42-0. One of Florida’s top rivalries is officially one-sided with the Tigers capturing the latest edition for the 22^nd consecutive time. Toledo-bound Junior Vandeross totaled two TDs and nearly 200 yards of offense in the rout. The defense allowed one first down and Caleb Williams added a 30-yard, pick-six in the third quarter. LB Troy Bowles recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for a special teams score. RB Joquez Smith ran for two TDs.

Next: Friday vs. Boca Ciega (Gulfport) in Class 6A, District 3 quarterfinals.

14. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (9-1)

Previous: 14.

Recap: Idle. Time off at this time of the year gave the Raiders a chance to pause and refocus on defending their state title.

15. Servite, Anaheim, Calif. (8-2)

Previous: 15.

Recap: Idle. The Friars face a Trinity League rival this weekend.

Next: Friday vs. Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita) in the CIF-Southern Section, Division 1 quarterfinals.

16. Milton, Alpharetta, Ga. (9-1)

Previous: 16.

Recap: Defeated Cherokee (Canton), 42-14.

Next: Friday vs. Duluth in Class 7A first round

17. St Frances Academy, Baltimore (7-1)

Previous: 17.

Recap: Defeated St. Thomas More (Oakdale, Conn.), 24-7. The season finale takes place on the Florida Gulf Coast against a national powerhouse.

Next: Nov. 19 at No. 5  IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.).

18. Center Grove, Greenwood, Ind. (11-0)

Previous: 18.

Recap: Defeated Columbus North, 41-7, in Sectional 8 final.

Next: Friday vs. Lawrence North (Indianapolis) in Class 6A region final.

19. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (10-0)

Previous: 19.

Recap: Idle. The Huskies are fourth-seeded in the section playoffs and could face top-ranked Mater Dei in the next round.

Next: Friday vs. Mission Viejo in the CIF-Southern Section, Division 1 quarterfinals.

20. Hamilton, Chandler, Ariz. (9-0)

Previous: 20.

Recap: Defeated Higley (Gilbert), 58-17.

Next: Friday vs. No. 8 Chandler.

21. Corner Canyon, Draper, Utah (11-1)

Previous: 21.

Recap: Defeated American Fork, 45-28, in the Class 6A quarterfinals. QB Devin Brown tossed five TD passes, including two to BYU-bound WR Cody Hagen. The was scored was tied at 7 when the Chargers tallied 21 points in the second quarter for a comfortable 28-7 lead at the break.

Next: Friday vs. Weber (Pleasant View) in the Class 6A semifinals to be played the University of Utah’s Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.

22. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (10-1)

Previous: 22.

Recap: Defeated Foothill (Henderson), 63-6, in the Class 5A Southern Region semifinal. After six straight games against in-state competition, the Gaels finally surrendered points. Sophomore QB Micah Alejado was an efficient 9-of-11 for 208 yards and four TDs covering 39, 62, 23 and 12 and ran for a 21-yard score in the first quarter when the Gaels led 28-6. Garrett Pomerantz added a 25-yard, pick-six and WR Elija Lofton caught two TD passes.

Next: Friday vs. Liberty (Henderson) in the Class 5A Southern Region final.

23. Loyola Academy, Wilmette, Ill. (11-0)

Previous: 23.

Recap: Defeated Naperville Central, 36-7, in the Class 8A second round.

Next: Saturday vs. Lincoln-Way East (Frankfort) in the Class 8A quarterfinals.

24. Valor Christian, Highlands Ranch, Colo. (10-0)

Previous: 24.

Recap: Idle. The Eagles should be rested for their first postseason assignment.

Next: Friday vs. Fort Collins in the Class 5A second round.

25. St. Edward, Lakewood, Ohio (11-1)

Previous: 25.

Recap: Defeated Midpark (Berea), 56-14, in Division I, Region 1 quarterfinals. QB Christian Ramos accounted for three TDs, throwing for two and running for another, RB Danny Enovitch opened the scoring with a short TD run in the first quarter. Special teams contributed two kickoffs for scores with Kyan Mason and Carlton Landingham doing the honors. The Eagles have outscored two region opponents, 105-14.

Next: Friday vs. Canton McKinley in the Division I, Region 1 semifinals.

Dropped: None.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (9-0)
2. Stone Bridge, Ashburn, Va. (10-0)
3. Archbishop Spalding, Severn, Md. (10-0)
4. La Salle College, Wyndmoor, Pa. (9-1)
5. Iona Prep, New Rochelle, N.Y. (8-1)

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

Midwest

1. Medina, Ohio (12-0)
2. Lakeville (Minn.) South (10-0)
3. Rockford, Mich. (11-0)
4. Cathedral, Indianapolis (11-1)
5. Upper Arlington, Ohio (11-0)

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

Southland

1. Oakland, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (11-0)
2. Dutch Fork, Irmo, S.C. (9-0)
3. Male, Louisville, Ky. (10-0)
4. Central, Miami (7-2)
5. Zachary, La. (10-0)

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

Far West

1. Mission Viejo, Calif. (9-1)
2. St. Francis, Mountain View, Calif. (9-0)
3. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (8-2)
4. Graham (Wash.)-Kapowsin (10-0)
5. Central Catholic, Portland, Ore. (10-0)

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 August until the conclusion of the high school season in December. 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. Follow him on Twitter at @clawlor.