BENSALEM, Pa. – Seems like the midwestern tough states of Iowa and Ohio are already in midseason form. The competition is amping after two weeks and that’s a bonus for the Blue Star Media Elite 25 Fall football rankings.

Near the capital city of Iowa, it was a true matchup that might be replayed sometime in November or December when the playoffs are seeded. No. 25 Dowling Catholic (West Des Moines) took down a team it beat in last year’s Iowa Class 4A final and join the Elite 25 Fall rankings. The Maroons, who have won six straight Iowa state titles, blanked then-No. 21 Valley (West Des Moines), 22-0. Dowling was ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in 4A depending on the outlet. Well, Dowling is the team to beat and are aiming for a seventh piece of hardware.

In Ohio, Archbishop Hoban (Akron) drilled St. Edward (Lakewood), 35-0, leaving no doubt the Knights are on a mission to join the Elite 25 and annex the Ohio Division II championship. Additionally, Arizona will start its season on Oct. 2 and that includes No. 9 Chandler (Ariz.), the defending Open Division champions.

Otherwise, the Elite 25 teams did not suffer a loss and remain static.

The fall season remains fluid. Last week there were three significant moves that reshaped the prep landscape. In New England, Rhode Island and Connecticut have suspended seasons likely to the spring. However, Michigan reversed course and will play later this month. The COVID-19 novel coronavirus is the culprit but a new Executive Order from the governor’s office gave the Michigan High School Athletic Association ‘s representative council the green light to reinstate the fall season. Michigan will play a six games starting Sept. 18 and the playoffs start on Oct. 30. The state championships are Dec. 4 and 5.

Kentucky and Pennsylvania will open their seasons this weekend. That means 17 states and the District of Columbia have postponed seasons until 2021 and 33 states are playing a traditional fall term.

This is a truly a special week for anyone who lives in the Tri-State area of New York New Jersey and Connecticut. Friday is 9/11 and it’s hard to believe but was 19 years ago that I awoke on a sunny Tuesday morning to witness those terrorist attacks on the World Trade Buildings in lower Manhattan. I live about 12 miles west from New York City in New Jersey and it’s still a day that lives in infamy. Say a prayer for all those lost their lives and for the brave men and women who were on the front lines during that time.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 Fall rankings return on Sept. 15.

Stay safe, wear a mask when possible, practice social distancing and support your local restaurants that have taken major financial hits since March. We hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Fall Rankings, Sept. 8, 2020

1. North Shore, Galena Park, Texas (0-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Recap: Idle. The Mustangs have a tough season opener against a defending state champion.

Next: Sept. 25 at Shadow Creek (Alvin).

2. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (1-0)

Previous: 2.

Recap: Defeated Venice (Fla.), 49-13. Michigan-bound QB J.J, McCarthy threw for five touchdowns and 333 yards on 23-of-37 accuracy as the Ascenders were up 21-6 at halftime in an impressive victory on ESPNU. It was the first win at IMG for head coach Bobby Acosta. The Ascenders head into a bye week and next play one of Florida’s top teams.

Next: Sept. 17 vs. Edgewater (Orlando).

3. Duncanville, Texas (0-0)

Previous: 3.

Recap: Idle. The Panthers will face No. 2 IMG Academy on Oct. 10 in national spotlight game.

Next: Sept. 25 vs. Nolan Catholic (Fort Worth).

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

Previous: 4.

Recap: Idle. The Hawks plan to play an independent schedule in the aftermath of the Philadelphia Catholic League opting for spring ball.

Next: Oct. 3 vs. La Salle College High (Wyndmoor, Pa.).

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

Previous: 5.

Recap: Idle.

Next: TBA.

6. Central, Miami (0-0)

Previous: 6.

Recap: Idle.

Next: TBA.

7. Grayson, Loganville, Ga. (1-0)

Previous: 7.

Recap: Defeated Jones County (Gray), 51-13. The Rams played without transfer QB Carlos Del Rio (Florida State recruit), who was ruled ineligible by the Georgia High School Association but that ruling is under appeal.

Next: Friday at McEachern (Powder Springs).

8. Katy, Texas (0-0)

Previous: 8.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Sept. 25 vs. Clear Springs (League City).

9. Chandler, Ariz. (0-0)

Previous: 9.

Recap: Idle. The Arizona Interscholastic Association said last week that practice on restart on Sept. 7, games will commence on Oct. 2 and the state championship games are Dec. 11 and 12.

Next: Oct. 2 at Liberty (Peoria).

10. Northwestern, Miami (0-0)

Previous: 10.

Recap: Idle. Miami-Dade County has not released schedules but that should happen soon.

Next: TBA.

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

Previous: 11.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Sept. 18 at Chaminade-Madonna College Prep (Hollywood).

12. Westlake, Austin, Texas (0-0)

Previous: 12.

Recap: Idle. The Chaps have a tricky road contest to open the season.

Next: Sept. 25 at Highland Park (Dallas).

13. De Smet Jesuit, St. Louis (0-0)

Previous: 13.

Recap: Idle. The defending Missouri Class 6 champions face off with a league rival this weekend.

Next: Friday vs. Christian Brothers College (St. Louis).

14. Denton (Texas) Guyer (0-0)

Previous: 14.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Sept. 25 at Hebron (Carrollton).

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

Previous: 15.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Oct. 2 at West Orange.

16. Trinity. Louisville, Ky. (0-0)

Previous: 16.

Recap: Idle. Opening night at Marshall Stadium is always exciting.

Next: Friday vs. Moeller (Cincinnati).

17. Corner Canyon, Draper, Utah (4-0)

Previous: 17.

Recap: Routed Jordan (Sandy), 51-14. QB Jaxson Dart fired four TD passes in the first half when the Chargers were up by 42 points. Dart finished with six scoring strikes, including three to WR Noah Kjar. Dart has 19 TD passes in four games.

Next: Friday vs. Alta (Sandy).

18. Pickerington (Ohio) Central (2-0)

Previous: 18.

Recap: Shut out Newark, 49-0. This weekend is Senior Night and the midway point of the abbreviated six-game regular season.

Next: Friday vs. Central Crossing (Grove City).

19. Lowndes County, Valdosta, Ga. (1-0)

Previous: 19.

Recap: Defeated Archer (Lawrenceville), 35-21, in Corky Kell Classic. Dual-threat QB Jacurri Brown accounted four TDs, two rushing and two passing.

Next: Friday vs. Griffin.

20. Bixby, Okla. (2-0)

Previous: 20.

Recap: Defeated Jenks, 42-35, stretching the win streak to 27 games. The Spartans chalk up an impressive win over Oklahoma’s premier program. Now it’s an early-season bye before eight straight to close the regular season.

Next: Sept. 18 at Stillwater.

21. Bergen Catholic, Oradell, N.J. (0-0)

Previous: 22.

Recap: Idle. The Crusaders open with a bitter rival.

Next: Oct. 3 at St. Joseph Regional (Montvale).

22. Thompson, Alabaster, Ala. (3-0)

Previous: 23.

Recap: Defeated Tuscaloosa County (Northport), 49-7.

Next: Friday at Spain Park (Hoover).

23. Dutch Fork, Irmo, S.C. (0-0)

Previous: 23.

Recap: Idle. The season is less than two weeks away.

Next: Sept. 25 vs. White Knoll (Lexington).

24. Center Grove, Greenwood, Ind. (3-0)

Previous: 24.

Recap: Defeated Carmel, 42-0. The Trojans did not expect a cakewalk last week but the next opponent should put up more of a fight.

Next: Friday at Ben Davis (Indianapolis).

25. Dowling Catholic, West Des Moines, Iowa (2-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Defeated then-No. 21 Valley (West Des Moines), 22-0. The seven-time defending Class 4A state champions post a shutout against the state’s top-ranked Class 4A team. Mack Anderson caught a TD pass for a 7-0 lead in the first quarter and the Maroons never looked back.

Next: Friday at Johnston.

Dropped out: No. 21 Valley, West Des Moines, Iowa.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Central Catholic, Pittsburgh (0-0)
2. St. Joseph Regional, Montvale, N.J. (0-0)
3. Pine-Richland, Gibsonia, Pa. (0-0)
4. Iona Prep, New Rochelle, N.Y. (0-0)
5. Williamstown, N.J. (0-0)

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

Midwest

1. Mentor, Ohio (2-0)
2. Archbishop Hoban, Akron, Ohio (2-0)
3. Cathedral, Indianapolis (3-0)
4. Brownsburg, Ind. (3-0)
5. Century, Bismarck, N.D. (2-0)

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

Southland

1. Allen, Texas (0-0)
2. Hoover, Ala. (3-0)
3. Owasso, Okla. (2-0)
4. Booker T. Washington, Miami (0-0)
5. Archbishop Rummel. Metairie, La. (0-0)

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

Far West

1. Lone Peak, Highland, Utah (4-0)
2. Skyridge, Lehi, Utah (4-0)
3. Sahuaro, Scottsdale, Ariz. (0-0)
4. American Fork, Utah (4-0)
5. Hamilton, Chandler, Ariz. (0-0)

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

^ Will play season in Winter/Spring 2021

About: The Blue Star Media Elite 25 High School Football Rankings are released weekly from September until the conclusion of the high school season. For the 2020-2021 school year, there will be two separate rankings in the fall and winter/spring due to coronavirus concerns. 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 June 2021. Follow him on Twitter at @clawlor.