GANG OF FOUR: Late season shakeup in Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings as Missouri school bags state title

BENSALEM, Pa. – Typically there’s a late season shakeup during the postseason and this week, the Blue Star Media Elite 25 high school football rankings absorbed a few body blows.

Four schools are in, including a newly minted state champion from Missouri—No. 14 Maryville (Tenn.), No. 21 Christian Brothers College (St. Louis), No. 24 St. Peter’s Prep (Jersey City, N.J.) and No. 25 John Curtis Christian (River Ridge, La.).

Christian Brothers bagged the Class 6 championship, beating Rockhurst (Kansas City), 31-24, after scoring a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter. Maryville goes for another Tennessee stat title on Saturday. Meanwhile, St. Peter’s Prep returns to the rankings and eyes the Non-Public Group 4 crown against a team that stopped them in the final in 2013. Finally, John Curtis is going for its 27^th championship on Friday in New Orleans.

All total there are nine schools clawing for state championships this weekend, with three California schools going for sectional titles.

Kudos to No. 17 Clarkston (Mich.) and No. 23 Chandler (Ariz.), both of who took home state championship hardware last weekend.

The game of the week happens in Florida, where No. 6 Central (Miami) travels North up I-95 for a date at No. 15 Mainland (Daytona Beach) with the winner off to the Class 6A final in Orlando the following weekend.

After a long season, the end is near. For so many programs the cheers and jeers are silenced and many players won’t ever play another competitive set of downs again. Expect those seniors to leave it on the field.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 rankings return December 9 with the 15th weekly installment. Check out the Elite 25 boys and girls’ preseason basketball rankings we launched earlier in November. Until then we hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 High School Football, December 2, 2014

1. Allen, Texas (13-0)

Previous rank: 1.

What happened: Outlasted Arlington Martin, 69-54, in Class 6A Division 1, Region 1 semifinals. Texas A&M-bound QB Kyler Murray accounted for six touchdowns, including four on the ground to go with his 197 yards rushing on 9 carries.

Next: Saturday vs. No. 18 Euless Trinity in Class 6A Division 1, Regional 1 final at Apogee Stadium, Denton.

2. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (14-0)

Previous: 2.

What happened: Defeated Liberty (Henderson), 50-0, in Division I Southern final. QB Tate Martell ran for three scores and tossed for another. The Gaels cruised to a 23-point lead at intermission and have a rematch in the state final.

Next: Saturday vs. Reed (Sparks) in Division I final in Reno.

3. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (12-0)

Previous: 3.

What happened: Defeated California High (San Ramon), 45-17, in North Coast Division I semifinals. The Spartans exploded for 21 points in the third quarter to blow open a light contest and go for a 23^rd straight sectional title.

Next: Saturday vs. Pittsburg in CIF North Coast Division I final.

4. Booker T. Washington, Miami (13-0)

Previous: 4.

What happened: Defeated Cocoa, 14-12, in Class 4A semifinals. The Tornadoes stretched the Miami-Dade County record win streak to 39 straight victories.

Next: Saturday vs. Bolles School (Jacksonville) in Class 4A final at the Citrus Bowl, Orlando.

5. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (12-1)

Previous: 5.

What happened: Defeated Poly (Long Beach), 33-21, in CIF-Southern Section Pac-Five Division semifinals. The Braves rallied in the final period.

Next: Saturday vs. Corona Centennial in CIF-Southern Section Pac-Five Division final at Angel Stadium, Anaheim.

6. Central, Miami (12-1)

Previous: 6.

What happened: Defeated Heritage (Palm Bay), 20-12, in Class 6A, Region 4 final.

Next: Friday at No. 15 Mainland (Daytona Beach) in Class 6A semifinals.

7. Colquitt County, Moultrie, Ga. (13-0)

Previous: 7.

What happened: Defeated Milton (Alpharetta), 42-35, in Class AAAAAA quarterfinals.

Next: Friday vs. McEachern (Powder Springs) in Class AAAAAA semifinals.

8. Southlake (Texas) Carroll (13-0)

Previous: 8.

What happened: Defeated San Angelo Central, 35-10, in Class 6A, Division II Region 1 semifinals. The Dragons took a 14-0 lead after one period.

Next: Saturday vs. Cedar Hill in Class 6A Division II, Region 1 final at Southern Methodist University ‘s Ford Field, Dallas.

9. Folsom, Calif. (13-0)

Previous: 9.

What happened: Defeated Monterey Trail (Elk Grove), 56-14, in CIF-Sac-Joaquin Section Division I semifinals.

Next: Saturday vs. Tracy in CIF-Sac-Joaquin Section Division I final at Sacramento State.

10. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (12-1)

Previous: 10.

What happened: Defeated Royal Palm Beach, 52-7, in Class 7A, Region 4 final

Next: Friday vs. East Lake (Tarpon Springs) in Class 7A semifinals.

11. Armwood, Seffner, Fla. (13-0)

Previous: 11.

What happened: Shut out Gainesville, 56-0, in Class 6A, Region 2 final. The Hawks travel to the Florida Panhandle this weekend.

Next: Friday at Choctawhatchee (Fort Walton Beach) in Class 6A semifinals.

12. Bellevue, Wash. (13-0)

Previous: 12.

What happened: Defeated Marysville-Pilchuck, 20-10 in Class 3A semifinals. Sam Richmond rushed for two TDs. The Wolverines have won 67 straight games and go for their seventh consecutive state title this weekend back in Tacoma against a very familiar foe.

Next: Friday vs. Eastside Catholic (Sammamish) in Class 3A in the Tacoma Dome.

13. Buford, Ga. (13-0)

Previous: 13.

What happened: Defeated Marist (Atlanta), 30-6, in Class AAAA quarterfinals. In the other semifinal, St. Pius X (Atlanta) plays Woodward Academy (College Park).

Next: Friday at Cartersville in Class AAAA semifinals.

14. Maryville, Tenn. (14-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

What happened: Defeated Oakland (Murfreesboro), 26-14, in Class 6A semifinals. The 12 points margin of victory was the narrowest for the Rebels this season. They now face another undefeated team in the championship.

Next: Saturday vs. Ravenwood (Brentwood) in Class 6A final in Cookeville.

15. Mainland, Daytona Beach, Fla. (13-0)

Previous: 15.

What happened: Defeated South Fort Myers, 21-7, in Class 6A, Region 3 final.

Next: Friday vs. No. 6 Central (Miami) in Class 6A semifinals.

16. South Panola, Batesville, Miss. (14-0)

Previous: 16.

What happened: Defeated No. 23 Starkville, 36-26, in Class 6A North State final.

Next: Friday vs. Oak Grove (Hattiesburg) in Class 6A final in Starkville.

17. Clarkston, Mich. (14-0)**

Previous: 17.

What happened: Defeated Saline, 33-25, in Division 1 final. The Wolves capped a perfect season with their second straight state championship. Trailing 10-7 in the third quarter, QB D.J.. Zezula’s 52-yard TD strike to Merrick Canada gave the Wolves the lead for good. Season complete.

18. Euless (Texas) Trinity (12-1)

Previous: 18.

What happened: Defeated Odessa Permian, 42-14, in Class 6A, Division I, Region 1 semifinals. Ja’Ron Wilson rushed for 180 yards and three TDs and QB Tyler Natee for 214 yards and another score.

Next: Saturday vs. No. 1 Allen in Class 6A Division 1, Regional 1 final at Apogee Stadium, Denton.

19. Manvel, Texas (13-0)

Previous: 19.

What happened: Defeated Cypress Woods (Cypress), 63-47, in Class 6A Division II, Region 3 semifinal.

Next: Friday vs. Katy in in Class 6A Division II, Region 3 final at NRG Stadium, Houston.

20. Canisius, Buffalo, N.Y. (11-0)**

Previous: 21.

What happened: Defeated Timon-St. Jude (Buffalo), 35-8, in Monsignor Martin Association final. The Crusaders have three straight MMA titles. Junior Justin Jones  caught one TD and ran for another and T.J. Wheatley contributed a TD, six tackles and two sacks.

Next: Sunday vs. regionally ranked Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains) in inaugural New York State Catholic High Schools Athletic Association final at Mitchel Field, Hempstead.

21. Christian Brothers College, St. Louis (14-0)**

Previous: Not ranked.

What happened: Defeated Rockhurst (Kansas City), 31-24, in Class 6 final. Season complete.

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

Previous: 24.

What happened: Idle. The Paladins needed a week off to decompress following a pulse-thickening semifinal win over archrivals Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey).

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

23. Chandler, Ariz. (13-1)**

Previous: 25.

What happened: Defeated Hamilton (Chandler), 28-7, in Division I final. Season complete.

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

Previous: Not ranked.

What happened: Idle. The Marauders climb back into the national rankings and have a rematch against the team that beat them 13-6 in last year’s state final.

Next: Friday vs. No. 22 Paramus Catholic in Non-Public Group 4 final at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford.

25. John Curtis Christian, River Ridge, La. (10-1)

Previous: Not ranked.

What happened: Defeated Brother Martin (New Orleans), 40-20, in Division 1 semifinals. Two defensive TDs in a 70-second span of the third quarter sealed it. The Patriots aim for a fourth straight stat title and 27^th overall in the Crescent City.

Next: Friday vs. Jesuit (New Orleans) in Division 1 final at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans.

Dropped out: No. 14  Archbishop Rummel, Metairie, La.; No. 20. Carmel, Ind.; No. 22 Hudson, Ohio; and No. 23 Starkville, Miss.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Pine-Richland, Gibsonia, Pa. (14-0)

2. Bishop McDevitt, Harrisburg, Pa. (14-0)

3. Ocean Lakes, Virginia Beach, Va. (13-0)

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

5. Xaverian Brothers, Westwood, Mass. (11-0)

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

Midwest

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

2. Stevenson, Lincolnshire, Ill. (14-0)**

3. Omaha (Neb.) North (13-0)**

4. Providence Catholic, New Lenox, Ill. (13-1)**

5. Kimberly, Wis. (14-0)**

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

Southland

1. Skyline, Dallas (13-0)

2. Cibolo (Texas) Steele (12-1)

3. Ravenwood, Brentwood, Tenn. (14-0)

4. New Bern, N.C. (14-0)

5. Union, Tulsa, Okla. (11-1)

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

Far West

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

2. Central Catholic, Portland, Ore. (12-1)

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

4. Bothell, Wash. (13-0)

5. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (12-2)

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.