HOME OF THE BRAVES: No. 1 St. John Bosco (CA) in a familiar status in Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings; two pivotal Texas Class 6A finals set

BENSALEM, Pa. – The St. John Bosco Braves of Bellflower, Calif. put on a show last Saturday in winning the California Interscholastic Federation Open Division Bowl Game and will be awfully tough to supplant at the top of the Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings.

The Braves are on the cusp of the just reward for a near perfect season.

Bosco coasted to a 35-0 lead at halftime en route to a 45-0 victory over previously unbeaten Serra (San Mateo) for their fourth title. It would take a something pretty special in Florida or Texas in order for the order to change.

Yet, never say never.

It was a crazy weekend in Texas, where four teams from the Elite 25 lost in Class 6A and 5A semifinals.

Three teams have been added to the Elite 25 rankings, including one that re-enters after an early season swoon.

First, in Texas, the No. 20 DeSoto and No. 21 Vandegrift (Austin) pulled off shockers, advancing to the UIL Class 6A Division I and Division II, respectively.

In Division I, the battle of the unbeatens pits No. 3 North Shore (Galena Park) and No. 9 Duncanville playing for the hardware at Arlington’s AT&T Field Saturday at 8 p.m. ET. In Division II, DeSoto plays Vandegrift Saturday at 4 p.m. ET. Vandegrift is red hot having won 14 straight after suffering an opening night loss.

Hayden Arnold’s 38-yard field goal as time expired Vandegrift upend then-No. 13 Katy, 38-35, in the Class 6A, Division II semifinals in San Antonio.

Meanwhile, No. 22 Thompson (Alabaster, Ala.) returns after winning its fourth consecutive Class 7A state championship. The Warriors started 0-2 but regrouped to take home the trophy.

In Florida, No. 4 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) plays Homestead in the Class 3M final on Thursday at Fort Lauderdale’s DRV PNK Stadium. Aquinas (13-0) goes for a fourth straight state title after winning the previous three in Class 7A.

No. 5 Central (Miami) faces No. 12 American Heritage (Plantation) for the Class 2M crown on Friday at DRV PNK Stadium. That’s one of the top games of the weekend. Central is aiming for a fourth straight championship too.

We’ll have the scoop on all the Elite 25 teams up for championship. This is as good as it gets.

The GEICO State Champions Bowl Series is slated for Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. ET on ESPNU. The matchup is No. 8 Chaminade-Madonna College Prep (Hollywood, Fla.) at No. 6 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas).

Question: after summarizing what’s ahead this weekend, is there a team that can leapfrog St. John Bosco for No. 1.

The short answer is yes.

Within the Elite 25, there are 10 state champions, seven more are going for titles this weekend in Florida and Texas, there will be a GEICO Bowl Series champion crowned this weekend and two schools do not compete in the postseason.

 Finally, head coach Holecek of Loyola Academy (Wilmette, Ill.), a regionally ranked team, stepped down last week after 17 years at the helm. Holecek guided Loyola (13-1) to the Illinois Class 8A title last month, his third at the school. This year’s lone loss was to No. 14 and state champions Mount Carmel (Chicago) in a Chicago Catholic League tilt. Holecek, who played eight seasons in the NFL, went 185-36 in his tenure. A search for his successor is underway.

That’s it for the second week in December. This weekend it’s state championship time in Florida and Texas. Saturday night in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Arlington, Texas will end the season.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings will return earlier than usual on Dec. 18 for the final time this season.

Until the next time, stay safe. Happy Holidays. We hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Football Rankings, Dec. 13, 2022

1. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (13-1)**

Previous rank: 1.

Recap: Won the CIF State Championship Bowl Open Division championship for the fourth time since 2013, defeating Serra (San Mateo), 45-0, in the final. The defense shone with five turnovers and limiting the NorCal rep to minus-7 yards rushing in the opening two quarters. RBs Khalil Warren and Cameron Jones ran for two touchdowns apiece and Louisville-bound QB Pierce Clark threw for 187 yards and a TD in final game. Season complete.

2. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (12-1)

Previous: 3.

Recap: Won Trinity League championship and advance to the CIF-Southern Section, Division 1 final. Season complete.

3. North Shore, Galena Park, Texas (15-0)

Previous: 4.

Recap: Defeated No. 2 Westlake (Austin, Texas), 49-34, in Class 6A, Division I semifinals

Next: Saturday vs. No. 9 Duncanville in Class 6A, Division I final to be played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

4. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (13-0)

Previous: 5.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Thursday vs. Homestead in Class 3M final to be played at Fort Lauderdale’s DRV PNK Stadium.

5. Central, Miami (13-0)

Previous: 6.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday vs. No. 12 American Heritage (Plantation) in Class 2M final to be played at Fort Lauderdale’s DRV PNK Stadium.

6. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (13-1)*

Previous: 7.

Recap: Won Class 5A state championship. It was the Gaels’ 12th Nevada state title in the last 13 terms.

Next: Saturday vs. No. 8 Chaminade-Madonna College Prep (Hollywood, Fla.) in GEICO State Champions Bowl Series, 4 p.m. ET, ESPNU.

7. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (8-1)

Previous: 8.

Recap: The Ascenders do not compete for a postseason championship. Season complete.

8. Chaminade-Madonna College Prep, Hollywood, Fla. (13-0)*

Previous: 9.

Recap: Won Class 1M state championship, defeating Clearwater Central Catholic, 48-14, in the final. The Lions, who have won five titles in the last six years, raced to a 28-0 lead at halftime. RB Davion Gause ran for 189 yards and two scores on 14 carries and QB Cedrick Bailey completed 16 of 24 passes for three TDs, including two to WR Jeremiah Smith. Jeno Junius had a game-high 19 tackles and Denzel Johnson added 10 and a sack.

Next: Saturday at No. 6 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) in GEICO State Champions Bowl Series on ESPNU.

9. Duncanville, Texas (14-0)

Previous: 11.

Recap: Defeated Prosper, 41-0, in Class 6A, Division I semifinals. The state final will be one of the top games next this weekend.

Next: Saturday vs. No. 3 North Shore (Galena Park) in Class 6A, Division I final at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium.

10. Westlake, Austin, Texas (14-1)

Previous: 2.

Recap: Lost to No. 4 North Shore (Galena Park, Texas), 49-34, in Class 6A, Division I semifinals. Season complete.

11. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (8-1)

Previous: 10.

Recap: Season complete.

12. American Heritage, Plantation, Fla. (13-1)

Previous: 15.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday vs. No. 6 Central (Miami) in Class 2M state final to be played at Fort Lauderdale’s DRV PNK Stadium.

13. Lipscomb Academy, Nashville, Tenn. (13-0)*

Previous: 16.

Recap: Won Division II, Class AA state championship for second straight year. Season complete.

14. Mount Carmel, Chicago, (13-0)*

Previous: 17.

Recap: Won Class 7A state championship. It was the program’s 14th Illinois state title. Season complete.

15. St. Edward, Lakewood, Ohio (15-1)*

Previous: 18.

Recap: Won a second consecutive Division I state championship. Season complete.

16. Bergen Catholic, Oradell, N.J. (11-1)*

Previous: 19.

Recap: Won the Non-Public A state championship for the second straight season. Season complete.

17. Basha, Chandler, Arizona (12-1)*

Previous: 21.

Recap: Defeated Saguaro (Scottsdale), 28-21, in Arizona Open Division final. It was the Bears’ first ever state championship. Season complete.

18. Mill Creek, Hoschton, Ga. (14-1)*

Previous: 22.

Recap: Won Class AAAAAAA state championship, defeating then-No. 24 Carrollton, 70-35, in the final. Season complete.

19. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (12-1)*

Previous: 23.

Recap: Won the PIAA Class 6A state championship, defeating Harrisburg, 42-7, in the final. QB Samaj Jones completed nine passes for 264 yards and four TDs and rushed for 89 yards and a score. Jones’s favorite target, WR David Washington Jr., had four receptions for 123 yards. Those two are back next season when the Hawks will look to defend their crown. Season complete.

20. DeSoto, Texas (13-2)

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Defeated then-No. 12 Denton Guyer, 47-28, in the Class 6A, Division II semifinals. Sophomore RB Deondrae Riden Jr. ran for 224 yards and two TDs.

Next: Saturday vs. No. 21 Vandegrift (Austin) in the Class 6A, Division II final at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium.

21. Vandegrift, Austin, Texas (14-1)

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Defeated then-No. 13 Katy, 38-35, in the Class 6A, Division II semifinals.

Next: Saturday vs. No. 20 DeSoto in the Class 6A, Division II final at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium.

22. Thompson, Alabaster, Ala. (11-3)*

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Won a fourth straight Class 7A state championship. The Warriors started the season 0-2 but rallied with an 11-1 run of victories. Season complete.

23. Denton (Texas) Guyer (14-1)

Previous: 12.

Recap: Lost to DeSoto, 47-28, in Class 6A, Division II semifinals. Season complete.

24. Katy, Texas (14-1)

Previous: 13.

Recap: Lost to Vandergrift (Austin), 38-35, in Class 6A, Division II semifinals. Season complete.

25. Longview, Texas (14-1)

Previous: 14.

Recap: Lost to Aledo, 17-14, in Class 5A, Division I semifinals. Season complete.

Dropped: No. 20 Southlake (Texas) Carroll; No. 24 Carrollton (Texas) and No. 25 Colquitt County (Norman Park, Ga.).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (8-4)*
2. Archbishop Spalding, Severn, Md. (11-1)*
3. Freedom, Woodbridge, Va. (15-0)*
4. Catholic Memorial, West Roxbury, Mass. (12-0)*
5. St. Anthony’s, Mehlville, N.Y. (12-1)**

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

Midwest

1. Belleville, Mich. (14-0)*
2. Loyola Academy, Wilmette, Ill. (13-1)*
3. De La Salle Collegiate, Warren, Mich. (13-1)*
4. Toledo (Ohio) Central Catholic (15-1)*
5. Maple Grove, Minn. (13-0)*

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

Southland

1. Langston Hughes, Fairburn, Ga. (15-0)*
2. Columbus, Miami (13-1)
3. Destrehan, La. (14-0)*
4. Lakeland, Fla. (13-0)
5. Bixby, Okla. (14-1)*

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

Far West

1. Serra, San Mateo, Calif. (13-1)*
2. Los Alamitos, Calif. (9-3)
3. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (9-2)
4. Kahuku, Hawaii (12-2)*
5. Lincoln, San Diego (13-1)**

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

* Denotes a state or conference postseason champion [Note: a second asterisk indicates a team has multiple postseason titles.]

About: The Blue Star Media Elite 25 High School Football Rankings are released weekly from August 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 at the conclusion of the 2022 season. Follow him on Twitter at @clawlor.