FLY EAGLES FLY: No. 1 team survives at the death; Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings welcome Houston area school

BENSALEM, Pa. – Something has to give and ironically Thanksgiving is upon us. Having said that the Blue Star Media Elite 25 high school football rankings are ready to crown champions and spin team in and out as the state championship dust settles.

Three schools from the regional rankings won state titles and another took a conference postseason championship. No. 19 Manvel (Texas) enters the Elite 25 rankings and need three more wins to capture the Class 6A, Division II championship. Meanwhile No. 23 Starkville (Miss.) will host No. 16 South Panola (Batesville, Miss.) in the Class 6A semifinals on Friday. No. 17 Clarkston (Mich.), No. 20 Carmel (Ind.) and No. 25 Chandler (Ariz.) all play in championship games this weekend.

The following three weekends all of the dominoes will fall, leaving the Elite 25 with a national champion. Take nothing for granted at this time of the year.

Here’s a little love for the teams from the regional rankings.

In the Far West, two state champions were crowned.

Mililani (Hawaii) put on an offensive show in a 53-45 win over Punahou School (Honolulu) to take the Division I final at Aloha Stadium. Junior QB McKenzie Milton broke a single-game school record with 421 passing yards and seven touchdowns on 29 of 47 accuracy. The featured 60 first downs and 1,214 yards. He finished the season going 13-0 (including one forfeit) while passing for 3,339 yards and 35 TDs in 12 games.

In Salt Lake City, Bingham (South Jordan, Utah) bagged another Class 5A title, beating American Fork, 20-3. Chayden Johnson kicked two field goals and Cameron Smith rushed for 191 yards and two TDs. The Miners aren’t through and likely will play in the inaugural Burger King State Champions Football Series on Dec. 27 in Boca Raton, Fla. Schools from Washington, Utah, Florida and the New York City Public School Athletic League champion should compose the six-team field.

In Minneapolis, Eden Prairie (Minn.) continued its dominance in Class 6A nipping Totino-Grace, 28-27. It was Eden Prairie’s unprecedented fourth consecutive large-classification championship and 30^th straight victory. Senior RB Will Rains went out in style, rushing for 230 yards and three TDs, including the title-clincher from 75 yards with 2:46 left in the contest.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 rankings return December 2 with the 12th weekly installment. In the meantime, there are plenty of playoff and rivalry games to choose from, please support your local schools. Don’t forget that traditional Thanksgiving Day games will be played in areas between Washington and Boston and one in Missouri. Check out the Elite 25 boys and girls’ preseason basketball rankings we launched earlier this month. They sizzle!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and God Bless all of our armed forces worldwide. We are thinking of you. Hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 High School Football, November 25, 2014

1. Allen, Texas (12-0)

Previous rank: 1.

What happened: Edged DeSoto, 25-22, in 6A, Division 1 Area playoff. Sawyer Williams’ 25-yard field goal at the death won it. Texas A&M-bound QB Kyler Murray had a lousy day throwing (7 of 23, 96 yards) but crushed it with his legs going 25 times for 194 yards and three TDs. The Eagles trailed 22-14 heading into the fourth quarter but scored the final 11 points.

Next: Friday vs. Arlington Martin in Class 6A Division 1, Region 1 semifinals at Apogee Stadium, Denton.

2. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (13-0)

Previous: 2.

What happened: Defeated Arbor View (Las Vegas), 56-6, in Division I Sunset Region final. The Gaels rolled to a 28-0 lead after one quarter. QB Tate Martell threw for four TDs of 69, 21, 20 and 32 yards. Ryan Garrett returned a fumble 38 yards for a first-quarter score.

Next: Saturday vs. Liberty (Henderson) in Division I Southern final.

3. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (11-0)

Previous: 3.

What happened: Defeated San Ramon Valley (Danville), 65-6, in CIF North Coast Division I quarterfinals.

Next: Friday vs. California High (San Ramon) in North Coast Division I semifinals.

4. Booker T. Washington, Miami (12-0)

Previous: 4.

What happened: Defeated Glades Central (Belle Glades), 35-7, in Class 4A, Region 4 final. It was the Tornadoes’ 38^th straight time, setting a new Miami-Dade County for consecutive victories. The next opponent, Cocoa, won’t be easy for the Tornadoes, who have beaten them three straight years in the postseason.

Next: Friday at Cocoa in Class 4A semifinals.

5. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (11-1)

Previous: 5.

What happened: Defeated Norco, 48-7, in CIF-Southern Section Pac-Five Division quarterfinals. Clifford Simms scored three TDs and the defense forced four turnovers.

Next: Friday vs. Poly (Long Beach) in Pac-Five Division semifinals.

6. Central, Miami (11-1)

Previous: 6.

What happened: Defeated Hallandale, 35-19, in Class 6A, Region 4 semifinals.

Next: Friday at Heritage (Palm Bay) in Class 6A, Region 4 final.

7. Colquitt County, Moultrie, Ga. (12-0)

Previous: 7.

What happened: Defeated Dacula, 51-30, in Class AAAAAA second round. The Packers have scored 113 points in two playoff games.

Next: Friday vs. Milton (Alpharetta) in Class AAAAAA quarterfinals.

8. Southlake (Texas) Carroll (12-0)

Previous: 8.

What happened: Outlasted Denton Guyer, 58-42, in Class 6A Division II Area playoff.

Next: Saturday vs. San Angelo Central in Class 6A Division II, Region 1 semifinals at Baylor University’s McLane Stadium, Waco.

9. Folsom, Calif. (12-0)

Previous: 9.

What happened: Defeated Franklin (Elk Grove), 56-13, in CIF-Sac-Joaquin Section Division I quarterfinals. The Bulldogs were up 20-0 after one quarter and 42-0 at halftime. That’s 126 points in two playoff games.

Next: Friday vs. Monterey Trail (Elk Grove) in CIF-Sac-Joaquin Section Division I semifinals.

10. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (11-1)

Previous: 10.

What happened: Defeated Plantation, 38-6, in Class 7A, Region 4 semifinals. Another tough matchup Friday, with the winner playing East Lake (Tarpon Springs) or Fort Myers in the 7A state semifinals.

Next: Friday vs. Royal Palm Beach in Class 7A, Region 4 final.

11. Armwood, Seffner, Fla. (12-0)

Previous: 11.

What happened: Defeated Venice, 42-14, in Class 6A, Region 2 semifinals. The shutout string of nine games ended but the 14 points scored by Venice equaled the amount conceded in the previous 11 games.

Next: Friday at Gainesville in Class 6A, Region 2 final.

12. Bellevue, Wash. (12-0)

Previous: 12.

What happened: Defeated Peninsula (Gig Harbor), 31-7, in Class 3A quarterfinals. If the Wolverines win they play winner Eastside Catholic (Sammamish) or Mount Spokane (Mead) for the 3A title in Tacoma.

Next: Friday vs. Marysville-Pilchuck in Class 3A semifinals at the Tacoma Dome.

13. Buford, Ga. (12-0)

Previous: 13.

What happened: Defeated Mary Persons (Forsyth), 35-14, in Class AAAA second round. The Wolves had little resistance in their drive for a third straight state title and seventh in eight seasons. Joshua Thomas scored two TDs in the Wolves’ 37^th straight win.

Next: Friday vs. Marist (Atlanta) in Class AAAA quarterfinals.

14.  Archbishop Rummel, Metairie, La. (11-0)

Previous: 14.

What happened: Defeated Teurlings Catholic (Lafayette), 28-20, in Division I second round. The junior troika of QB Chase Fourcade, Maurice Bailey and Brandon Phillips combined for 341 rushing yards and all four TDs.

Next:  Saturday vs. Jesuit (New Orleans) in Division I semifinals at Tad Gormley Stadium, New Orleans.

15. Mainland, Daytona Beach, Fla. (12-0)

Previous: 15.

What happened: Defeated Edgewater (Orlando), 30-28, in Class 6A, Region 3 semifinals. Marcus Brunson recorded a safety with 27 seconds left to unlock a 28-all tie.

Next: Friday vs. South Fort Myers in Class 6A, Region 3 final.

16. South Panola, Batesville, Miss. (13-0)

Previous: 16.

What happened: Edged Clinton, 9-7, in Class 6A second round. The Tigers trailed 7-6 at halftime. They now have a massive road game this weekend with the winner playing Oak Grove (Hattiesburg) or Brandon in 6A state final.

Next: Friday at No. 23 Starkville in Class 6A North State final.

17. Clarkston, Mich. (13-0)

Previous: 17.

What happened: Defeated East Kentwood (Kentwood), 35-13, in Division 1 semifinals. QB D.J. Zezula fired two TD passes within the first 10 snaps and Nick Erickson added a scoring run to push the Wolves’ win streak to 26 games.

Next: Saturday vs. Saline in Division 1 final at Ford Field, Detroit.

18. Euless (Texas) Trinity (11-1)

Previous: 18.

What happened: Defeated Plano West, 49-31, in Class 6A, Division I Area playoff.

Next: Friday vs. Odessa Permian in Class 6A Division I, Region 1 semifinals at Pennington Field, Hurst.

19. Manvel, Texas (12-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

What happened: Defeated Fort Bend Travis (Richmond), 76-23, in Class 6A Division II Area playoff. Junior QB D’Eriq King clicked on 14 of 18 passes for 240 yard and three TDs; both Brandon McCarty and Oyalan Clay each rushed for two scores.

Next: Friday vs. Cypress Woods (Cypress) in Class 6A Division II, Region 3 playoff at Rice Stadium, Houston.

20. Carmel, Ind. (13-0)

Previous: 19.

What happened: Idle. The Greyhounds have a week off before going for the gusto at the home of the Indianapolis Colts.

Next: Friday vs. Ben Davis (Indianapolis) in Class 6A final at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis.

21. Canisius, Buffalo, N.Y. (10-0)

Previous: 21.

What happened: Idle. Record lake effect snowfall postponed the Monsignor Martin Association final against Timon-St. Jude (Buffalo) until Saturday—nine days later. If the Crusaders advance, they would play CHSAA champion Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains) in New York State Catholic final on Dec. 7 at Mitchel Field in Hempstead.

Next: Saturday vs. Timon-St. Jude (Buffalo) in Monsignor Martin Association final.

22. Hudson, Ohio (13-0)

Previous: 22.

What happened: Defeated Mentor, 41-20, in Division 1, Region 1 semifinals. The Explorers led 17-6 at the break and broke open the game in the third scoring twice in less than two minutes. QB Mitch Guadagni ran and passed for TDs in the first half.

Next: Saturday vs. St. Edward (Lakewood) in Division 1, Region 1 final.

23. Starkville, Miss. (13-0)

Previous: 23.

What happened: Defeated Southaven, 34-10, in Class 6A second round. The Yellowjackets cracked open a tight game with 17 unanswered points in the third period.

Next: Friday vs. No. 16 South Panola (Batesville) in Class 6A North State final.

24. Paramus (N.J.) Catholic (9-1)

Previous: 24.

What happened: Rallied to stun Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey), 18-17, in Non-Public Group 4 semifinals. QB Willy Hansen fired a 12-yard TD pass to SB Marquis Spence with :22 remaining. This one had too much drama, instant classic!

Next: Dec. 5 vs. St. Peter’s Prep (Jersey City) in Non-Public Group 4 final at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford.

25. Chandler, Ariz. (12-1)

Previous: 25.

What happened: Defeated Mountain Pointe (Phoenix), 43-22, in Division 1 semifinals.

Next: Friday vs. Hamilton (Chandler) in Division I final at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale.

Dropped out: No. 20 Ware County, Waycross, Ga.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. St. Peter’s Prep, Jersey City, N.J. (10-1)

2. Pine-Richland, Gibsonia, Pa. (13-0)

3. Bishop McDevitt, Harrisburg, Pa. (13-0)

4. Ocean Lakes, Virginia Beach, Va. (12-0)

5. Archbishop Stepinac, White Plains, N.Y. (12-0)**

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

Midwest

1. Christian Brothers College, St. Louis (13-0)

2. Eden Prairie, Minn. (13-0)**

3. Stevenson, Lincolnshire, Ill. (13-0)

4. Omaha (Neb.) North (12-0)

5. Providence Catholic, New Lenox, Ill. (12-1)

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

Southland

1. Maryville, Tenn. (13-0)

2. Dr. Phillips, Orlando, Fla. (12-0)

3. Skyline, Dallas (12-0)

4. First Coast, Jacksonville, Fla. (12-0)

5. Whitehaven, Memphis, Tenn. (13-0)

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

Far West

1. Hamilton, Chandler, Ariz. (12-1)

2. Bingham, South Jordan, Utah (13-1)**

3. Central Catholic, Portland, Ore. (11-1)

4. Mililani, Hawaii (13-0)**

5. Bothell, Wash. (12-0)

Geography: Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

** Won state, sectional or postseason conference championship

 About: The Blue Star Media Elite 25 High School Football Rankings are released weekly from September 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. The final rankings will be released December 28. Follow him on Twitter: @clawlor.