LAS VEGAS – The Duel in the Desert lived up to crazy national hype.

In one of the more exciting, thrilling high school football games in recent memory—thank goodness it was on ESPNU—No. 1 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) rallied to defeat No. 7 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 25-24, in three overtimes, stretching the win streak to 45 games (last loss was on Oct. 4, 2013 to Booker T. Washington of Miami).

This promised to shake the Blue Star Media Elite 25 rankings but it proved Gorman is still indomitable and Aquinas worthy.

In the heat of the night, this battle of the titans came down to execution and gumption. In the third overtime, the Floridians took a 24-17 lead on Illinois-bound FB Mike Epstein’s 1-yard plunge. Gorman’s Jordan Nailor scored his second TD of overtime on the next play from scrimmage on a quick, 10-yard slant to pull within one point.

Now here’s the where the gumption kicked in and execution vacated. Trailing by a point and ready to kick the extra-point, Aquinas was whistled for encroachment moving the ball to the 2. That’s when Gorman changed strategy and lined up for the two-point conversion. And wouldn’t you know it, RB Biaggio Ali-Walsh took a pitch and plowed over the left side to win it (this is the grandson of legendary Muhammad Ali). Talk about one of the “greatest” ends in Gorman sports history!

Fertitta Field erupted. All was well again and the Gaels exhaled.

For all the heroes, the game ball goes to Gorman’s DB Bubba Bolden (a former USC commit), who picked off two passes, including one in the end zone in the fourth quarter to snuff out a drive. In the second overtime, Bolden then launch himself over the Aquinas line to partially block kicker Marco Salani’s 25-yard field goal—it did hit the crossbar—that should have won it. Seriously, folks, you cannot make this up.

Moving forward.

For the most part, the national games are over and everyone returns to the home states to conclude the regular season. We’re hearing both teams could be invited to participate in a bowl series doubleheader before Christmas in Frisco, Texas.

In spite of the loss, No. 7 St. Thomas Aquinas moves up four spots. Yes, the Raiders have two losses but still are the favorite to win Florida’s Class 7A title. If you take the top-ranked team on their home field after traveling 2,500 miles into three overtimes, simply put—you belong in the Elite 25. It would be derelict to think otherwise.

Looking ahead this week the most significant game among the Elite 25 is Friday when No. 25 Booker T. Washington (Miami) plays Northwestern (Miami). Last year, Northwestern ended a four-game losing skein to the Tornadoes during a 23-17 win.

The lone addition to the Elite 25 is comes from the Southland Region, where it’s No. 24 Clinton (Miss.). The Arrows are Mississippi’s top-ranked large classification (6A) at 6-0 and have a huge showdown with undefeated Warren Central (Vicksburg) on Oct. 21. Dropping out is St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.)—very difficult decision. The Cadets are on the cusp of returning to the Elite 25 but need at least two more quality wins.

The next Elite 25 rankings are back October 11. Please support your local high schools. As October settles in, the nation begins to think postseason or playoffs. With some states past midway, the schedule will separate the contenders from pretenders, producing brackets that will determine state champions. We hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 High School Football Rankings October 4, 2016

1. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (6-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Recap: Defeated then-No. 11 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 25-24, in three overtimes. The Gaels extended their win streak a national best 45 games. RB Biaggio Ali-Walsh’s two-point conversion run in the third extra session clinched it. This was a high drama game. Now the drama appears over for coach Kenny Sanchez’s team as they should win out and defend their Blue Star Media Elite 25 National Championship.

Next: Friday at Spring Valley (Las Vegas).

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

Previous rank: 2.

Recap: Idle. The Monarchs nearly ascended to top during their bye week.

Next: Friday vs. Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita).

3. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (5-0)

Previous rank: 3.

Recap: Defeated then-No. 24 St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.), 14-13. The Stags scored the game-winner with 8:53 left in the fourth quarter and had to sweat out a potential go-ahead two-point conversion and then last-minute drive by the Cadets. These rivals will likely meet again in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference playoffs.

Next: Friday vs. Bishop McNamara (Forestville)

4. Allen, Texas (6-0)

Previous rank: 4.

Recap: Defeated Plano West, 61-19. The Eagles raced to a 28-0 lead after one. RB Brock Sturges rushed for 126 yards and two TDs from 31 and 70 yards. Taj Bickham returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a score.

Next: Friday at Plano.

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

Previous rank: 5.

Recap: Idle. The Ascenders play Louisiana’s top-ranked Class 1A team this week.

Next: Friday vs. Southern Lab (Baton Rouge, La.).

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

Previous rank: 6.

Recap: Defeated Stranahan (Fort Lauderdale), 51-0.

Next: Oct. 14 vs. Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale).

7. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (3-2)

Previous rank: 11.

Recap: Lost to No. 1 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), 25-24, in three overtimes. The Raiders defense was stellar and they nearly won it in the second OT, but Gorman blocked a 25-yard field goal attempt. After the date in the desert, the Raiders are home against a local opponent that has traditionally given them fits.

Next: Friday vs. Deerfield Beach.

8. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (4-1)

Previous rank: 8.

Recap: Idle.

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

9. Roswell, Ga. (5-0)

Previous rank: 9.

Recap: Defeated Milton (Alpharetta), 17-0. The Hornets recorded a second straight shutout.

Next: Friday vs. Lassiter (Marietta).

10. McGill-Toolen, Mobile, Ala. (6-0)

Previous rank: 10.

Recap: Waxed Alma Bryant (Irvington), 55-7.

Next: Friday at Mary G. Montgomery (Semmes).

11. DeSoto, Texas (4-0)

Previous rank: 12.

Recap: Routed MacArthur (Irving), 48-7. WR Emmet Perry caught five balls for 131 yards and three TDs, including one from 79 yards. The Eagles led, 35-0, after three quarters.

Next: Friday at Grand Prairie.

12. Mill Creek, Hoschton, Ga. (6-0)

Previous rank: 13.

Recap: Defeated North Gwinnett (Suwanee), 44-17. The Hawks host homecoming this Friday against a school that opened in 2015.

Next: Friday vs. Discovery (Lawrenceville).

13. Grayson, Loganville, Ga. (5-1)

Previous rank: 14.

Recap: Defeated Rockdale County (Conyers), 60-0. This one became lopsided in a hurry.

Next: Friday vs. Shiloh (Snellville).

14. Cass Tech, Detroit (6-0)

Previous rank: 15.

Recap: Defeated Martin Luther King (Detroit), 31-18. All is well in Motown. The Technicians scored 17 points in the second quarter for a 17-0 edge and that was that.

Next: Friday at Osborn (Detroit).

15. Jenks, Okla. (6-0)

Previous rank: 16.

Recap: Crushed Broken Arrow, 62-24. The Trojans scored 35 points in the second period for a 49-10 lead at halftime.

Next: Friday at Edmond Memorial.

16. Colerain, Cincinnati (6-0)

Previous rank: 17.

Recap: Defeated Mason, 30-16. The Cardinals trailed 9-0 after one, but scored 23 unanswered points to pull away. RB Monalo Caldwell carried 22 times for 95 yards and three TDs.

Next: Friday at Middletown.

17. Mountain Pointe, Phoenix (6-0)

Previous rank: 18.

Recap: Defeated Desert Vista (Phoenix), 27-13. The Pride jumped to a 14-0 lead after one quarter.

Next: Friday at Highland (Gilbert).

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

Previous rank: 19.

Recap: Defeated Cottonwood (Murray), 49-0. This one got out of hand in a hurry. Before a blink of an eye it was 35-0 as RB Jahvontay Smith ran for three TDs.

Next: Friday at Taylorsville.

19. Maryville, Tenn. (7-0)

Previous rank: 20.

Recap: Defeated Dobyns-Bennett (Kingsport), 56-34. The Rebels get a breather with a late season bye and follow it up with a crosstown showdown. The regular season win streak is 66 games and counting.

Next: Oct. 14 vs. William Blount (Maryville).

20. Central, Miami (5-1)

Previous rank: 7.

Recap: Upset by Carol City (Miami), 34-7. Huge letdown game with another titanic test on the docket.

Next: Saturday at Jackson (Miami).

21. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (4-0)

Previous rank: 21.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday at Roman Catholic (Philadelphia).

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

Previous rank: 24.

Recap: Defeated St. Rita (Chicago), 35-3. RB Kyle Rock scored twice in the opening half to help build a 28-3 lead.

Next: Friday at Leo Catholic (Chicago).

23. Trinity, Louisville (6-0)

Previous rank: 23.

Recap: In one of the nation’s top schoolboy rivalries, the Shamrocks defeated St. Xavier (Louisville), 35-13, before 18,000 at University of Louisville’s Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium. QB Spencer Blackburn was named the game’s MVP after rushing for 115 yards and a TD and completed 15 of 21 passes for 101 yards and two more scores. The Rocks lead the all-time series, 42-37-2, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians’ Shillelagh—the trophy of the rivalry—stays at Trinity.

Next: Friday at Eastern (Louisville).

24. Clinton, Miss. (6-0)

Previous rank: Not ranked.

Recap: Defeated Callaway (Jackson), 45-21. Mississippi’s top-ranked Class 6A team keeps on rolling with five games left in the regular season. The stiffest challenges left are at undefeated Warren Central (Vicksburg) on Oct. 21 and entertaining Starkville on Nov. 4.

Next: Friday at Murrah (Jackson).

25. Booker T. Washington, Miami (4-2)

Previous rank: 25.

Recap: Defeated Keys Gate Charter (Homestead), 28-6. Coach Tim “Ice” Harris’ team rebounded following a huge loss in the previous game.

Next: Friday at Northwestern (Miami).

Dropped: No. 24 St. John’s College, Washington, D.C.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (4-2)
2. Central Catholic, Pittsburgh (5-1)
3. St. Joseph Regional, Montvale, N.J. (3-1)
4. Bergen Catholic, Oradell, N.J. (4-1)
5. Paramus (N.J.) Catholic (3-1)

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

Midwest

1. East St. Louis, Ill. (6-0)
2. Kimberly, Wis. (7-0)
3. Wayne, Huber Heights, Ohio (5-0-1)
4. Totino-Grace, Fridley, Minn. (5-0)
5. North, Omaha, Neb. (6-0)

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

Southland

1. John Curtis Christian, River Ridge, La. (4-0)
2. Lake Travis, Texas (4-1)
3. Dutch Fork, Irmo, S.C. (6-0)
4. Mainland, Daytona Beach, Fla. (6-0)
5. Oakland, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (6-0)

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

Far West

1. Saguaro, Scottsdale, Ariz. (7-0)
2. East, Salt Lake City, Utah (7-0)
3. Mission Viejo, Calif. (6-0)
4. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (4-1)
5. Kahuku, Hawaii (7-1)

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.