BENSALEM, Pa. – The main focus for the Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings is centered around “The Game.” If you haven’t been following the national high school football scene then is bears repeating:

The Friday Night Lights will shine the brightest come this Friday when No. 2 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) visits No. 1 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.). Obviously, this game will set the tone for the Elite 25 rankings moving forward. Both teams are on collision course for a second meeting in the CIF-Southern Section Open Division playoffs with that winner a heavy favorite to take home the California State Championship Bowl Game hardware in December.

Yet there’s a ton of football to be played in California and for the remainder of the country. The postseason gets underway this week in Indiana, Wisconsin, Utah and Hawaii.

With all the hoopla from the southern California surrounding the vaunted No. 1 vs. 2 game, losses by Elite 25 teams in the states of Mississippi, New Jersey and Georgia created three openings.

Two teams are debutants while a third returns after a solid run in league play.

Joining the Elite 25 are No. 14 McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.) and No. 19 Mentor (Ohio). No. 25 St. Joseph Prep (Philadelphia) re-enters after a winning run of games and a Philadelphia Catholic League Red Division regular season title in hand. The Hawks are ranked No. 1 in PIAA Class AAAAAA and will be a tough out in the playoffs.

In Northeast Ohio, Mentor is 8-0 and a juggernaut. The Cardinals are Ohio’s top-ranked squad in Division I or the largest classification and currently are the No. 1 see for the Region 1 playoffs that get underway in just over two weeks.

If you’ve been paying attention in Georgia’s highly competitive Class AAAAAAA then you realize how superior that grouping is and how special the state tournament is going to be. McEachern (7-0) is No. 2 in the Georgia High School Football Daily Rankings after defeating then-No. 23 Marietta (Ga.), 14-12, in a Region 3-AAAAAAA showdown. A second meeting could occur in the postseason and McEachern leads the all-time series 19-12-1.

The Indians feature WRs Dacari Collins (Clemson recruit) and Javon Baker (Alabama), QB Carlos Del Rio-Wilson (Florida) and RB Jordon Simmons, who will sign with Michigan State. That’s quite an offensive foursome.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 rankings will return on Oct. 22. We’ll give a rundown on the game of the year. Last year, St. John Bosco won the regular season meeting but Mater Dei bounced back in the sectional final and eventually took home a second straight Elite 25 mythical national championship.

If you haven’t already attended a game this season be sure to get out this weekend. We hope to see you at a game soon. — Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Football Rankings Oct. 22, 2019

1. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (8-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Recap: In their tune-up for a massive league showdown, the Braves thrashed Orange Lutheran, 63-6. The Braves scored 21 in each of the opening two quarters and 14 more in the third quarter for a commanding 56-0 lead. QB DJ Uiagalelei played in the first half, throwing for scores of 51, 81 and 62 yards. Chris Carter also had the hot hand passing for two scores. DB Tayvion Beasley added a 20-yard pick-six in the first quarter to make it 21-0. Finally, the game of the year is upon us.

Next: Friday vs. No. 2 Mater Dei (Santa Ana.).

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

Previous: 2.

Recap: Defeated Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, 45-0. The Monarchs led 10-0 after one quarter and 31-0 in the second en route to their first shutout of the campaign. Clemson-bound QB Bryce Young was the star with five TDs, including four in the air. Young connected twice with WR Kody Epps for the second straight game. This weekend’s game needs no introduction.

Next: Friday at No. 1 St. John Bosco (Bellflower).

3. Duncanville, Texas (7-0)

Previous: 3.

Recap: Defeated Pearce (Richardson), 39-7. RB Tristen Smith carried 11 times for 159 yards and four TDs. It marked the first time this season the Panthers defense allowed a TD to an instate opponent.

Next: Thursday at WT White (Dallas).

4. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (7-0)

Previous: 5.

Recap: Defeated Deerfield Beach, 28-7. After a series of district blow-out victories, the Raiders faced legitimate competition and rolled. RB Anthony Hankerson and the STA defense aided a rally from a 7-0 deficit. Hankerson’s 50-yard, go-ahead scoring run with 1:05 left in the third quarter made it 14-7. The defense and special teams accounted for eight sacks, two blocked punts and two interceptions. LB Derek Wingo, a future Miami Hurricane, recorded three sacks. The Raiders can bag the District 14-7A title this weekend.

Next: Friday vs. Fort Lauderdale.

5. Katy, Texas (7-0)

Previous: 6

Recap: Defeated Morton Ranch (Katy), 47-0.

Next: Friday at Cinco Ranch (Katy).

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

Previous: 7.

Recap: Blasted No. 4 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), 35-7. Michigan-bound RB Blake Corum ran for two TD, including a 37-yarder in the first quarter when the Panthers were up 14-0. His long reception also set another score.

Next: Friday vs. St. Thomas More (Oakdale, Conn.).

7. Saint Louis School, Honolulu (9-0)

Previous: 8.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Nov.1 vs. TBD in Interscholastic League of Honolulu Open Division final.

8. Allen, Texas (8-0)

Previous: 9.

Recap: Crushed Jesuit (Dallas), 57-38. SMU-bound QB Raylen Sharpe threw for 367 yards and three TDs as the Eagles took a 44-17 lead in the third quarter. WR Blaine Green had four receptions for 182 yards and a score.

Next: Friday at McKinney Boyd.

9. Lakeland, Fla. (9-0)

Previous: 10.

Recap: Trounced Bloomingdale (Valrico), 36-0. It’ll be Senior Night this weekend for the Dreadnaughts at Bryant Stadium.

Next: Friday vs. Kathleen (Lakeland).

10. North Shore, Galena Park, Texas (6-1)

Previous: 11.

Recap: Defeated Sterling (Bay Town), 63-0. Short week ahead for the Mustangs.

Next: Thursday at West Brook (Beaumont).

11. Dutch Fork, Irmo, S.C. (8-0-1)

Previous: 12.

Recap: Defeated Lexington, 43-7. The Silver Foxes were up 33-7 at halftime and head into their bye week with the playoffs on the horizon.

Next: Nov. 1 at White Knoll (Lexington).

12. Lowndes County, Valdosta, Ga. (8-0)

Previous: 16.

Recap: Shut out Tift County (Tifton), 28-0. This weekend is another chapter in the saga of the South Georgia game at the Class AAAAAAA level.

Next: Friday at Camden County (Kingsland).

13. Longview, Texas (7-0)

Previous: 15.

Recap: The winning hits 23 straight game for the defending Class 6A, Division II champions after defeating Health (Rockwall), 49-13. QB Haynes King passed for four TDs and 192 yards in the decisive first half when the Lobos raced to a 35-0 lead.

Next: Friday at North Mesquite (Mesquite).

14. McEachern, Powder Springs, Ga. (8-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Edged then-No. 23 Marietta (Ga.), 14-12. The Indians vault into the Elite 25 with a signature victory. The two might meet again in the Class AAAAAAA playoffs.

Next: Friday at Kennesaw Mountain (Kennesaw).

15. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (7-1)

Previous: 4.

Recap: Lost to then-No. 7 St. Frances Academy (Baltimore), 35-7. The Ascenders are usually on the other end of a beating like this one.

Next: Saturday vs. Norland (Miami).

16. John Curtis Christian, River Ridge, La. (7-0)

Previous: 14.

Recap: Defeated Jesuit (New Orleans), 35-14. The Patriots inch closer to the District 9-5A championship but still have work to do.

Next: Friday at Holy Cross (New Orleans).

17. Colquitt County, Norman Park, Ga. (7-1)

Previous: 16.

Recap: Doubled up Camden County (Kingsland), 34-17. The Packers went on the road and knocked off an undefeated team in convincing fashion.

Next: Friday vs. Tift County (Tifton).

18. St. Peter’s Prep, Jersey City, N.J. (7-0)

Previous: 18

Recap: Crushed Paramus Catholic. 35-10. RB Ethan Rodriguez ran for three scores and the Marauders overcome an early 3-0 hole. QB Tahj Bullock tossed a 24-yard TD pass to Jelani Mason in the second quarter. In other team news, Ohio State-bound LB Cody Simon became the third Prep player named to the All-American Bowl, a senior all-star game in January in San Antonio .

Next: Saturday vs. Pope John XXIII (Sparta).

19. Mentor, Ohio (8-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Defeated Shaker Heights, 45-7. The Cardinals debut in the Elite 25 and did so after piling up 38 unanswered points by halftime. The Greater Cleveland Conference crown is two wins away as is a perfect regular season.

Next: Friday vs. Euclid.

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

Previous: 19.

Recap: The Spartans defense was airtight for the third time this season, blanking San Ramon Valley (Danville), 52-0. In the last two games, the Green and Silver have scored 122 points. QB Dorian Hale threw for a TD and RB Shamar Garrett rushed for a score and a two-point conversion. RB Vince Bianchina’s 31-yard scoring run early in the first quarter spotted the Spartans to a 6-0 lead. The Spartans head into their bye week.

Next: Nov. 1 vs. Clayton Valley Charter (Concord).

 21. Archbishop Hoban, Akron, Ohio (7-1)

Previous: 23.

Recap: Defeated Padua Franciscan (Parma.), 44-6. It was a Happy Homecoming in Northeast Ohio for the Knights as RB Victor Dawson found the end zone three times. Junior QB Shane Hamm accounted for three scores, running for one and passing 14 yards to Alabama-commit TE Caden Clark and 78 yards to Brayden Fox.

Next: Friday vs. Walsh Jesuit (Cuyahoga Falls).

22. Grayson, Loganville, Ga. (6-1)

Previous: 22.

Recap: Defeated Archer (Lawrenceville), 34-31, in overtime. The Rams escaped with a big region win.

Next: Friday at Newton (Covington).

23. O’Dea, Seattle (7-0)

Previous: 24.

Recap: Defeated Rainier Beach (Seattle), 49-12. The Fighting Irish picked up from where they left off in the previous game and the 3A Metro League Mountain title is nearly in the books. The regular season closes out this weekend and the Irish are headed to the Class 3A playoffs as the top seed.

Next: Friday vs. Garfield (Seattle).

24. Eastside Catholic, Sammamish, Wash. (6-1)

Previous: 25.

Recap: Defeated Seattle Prep, 48-35. The defense has allowed 63 points the last two games but the Crusaders rebounded after a shock loss. The 3A Metro League Mountain title is essentially unattainable but redemption in the Class 3A playoffs is the motivation for the defending 3A state title holders. The Crusaders close out the regular season this weekend.

Next: Friday vs. Bishop Blanchett (Seattle).

 25. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (5-2)

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Crushed Father Judge (Philadelphia), 47-7. The Hawks are ranked No. 1 in Pennsylvania’s largest classification (Class AAAAAA) and return to the Elite 25 after rolling over the Philadelphia Catholic League competition with one game left in the regular season.

Next: Saturday at Archbishop Ryan (Philadelphia).

Dropped: No. 17 Madison (Miss.) Central, No. 20 St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, N.J.) and No. 23 Marietta (Ga.).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Gonzaga, Washington, D.C (7-1)
2. North Allegheny, Wexford, Pa. (9-0)
3. Highland Springs, Va. (7-0)
4. St. Joseph Regional, Montvale, N.J. (5-2)
5. Good Counsel, Olney, Md. (6-2)

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

Midwest

1. Muskegon, Mich. (8-0)
2. Lincoln-Way East, Frankfort, Ill. (8-0)
3. Muskego, Wis. (9-0)
4. Avon, Ind. (9-0)
5. Bellevue (Neb.) West (8-0)

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

Southland

1. Southlake (Texas) Carroll (7-0)
2. Thompson, Alabaster, Ala. (8-0)
3. Marietta, Ga. (5-2)
4. Oakland, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (8-0)
5. Owasso, Okla. (7-0)

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

Far West

1. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (7-1)
2. Corner Canyon, Draper, Utah (10-0)
3. Chandler, Ariz. (8-0)
4. Mission Viejo, Calif. (8-0)
5. Lake Stevens, Wash. (7-0)

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 on December 24. Follow him on Twitter at @clawlor.