BENSALEM, Pa. – In one of the craziest starts to a high school football season, there was a mass exodus in the Blue Star Media Elite 25 rankings. Eight, count ‘em, eight teams were dropped after losing games in the first three weeks of the season.

With so many teams playing made-for-TV games and others looking to challenge themselves with national or region games, the Elite 25 took an early season hit. But that’s OK, because strength of schedule and how you do in the postseason will ultimately determine the final rankings. Understand many teams seek games from outside their normal comfort zone when opponents do not want to play them or refuse to schedule them in many case such as New Jersey. The teams that duck games never have a chance to be ranked nationally and that’s the way it will be.

It’s the easiest way to separate the programs that play for excellence and others that settle for less … far less.

Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), last year’s Blue Star Media Elite 25 National Champions, is the new No. 1. The Gaels won’t rest on their laurels as they travel to hip, sunny southern California to face No. 2 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) in an appetizing matchup. No. 7 Booker T. Washington (Miami)—another familiar face—made the biggest leap from obscurity rising into the Top 10 following a takedown of previously top-ranked St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.). Coach Tim “Ice” Harris has BTW on an early roll. Speaking of St. Thomas Aquinas, the Raider drop to No. 13 after that upset loss, but will have plenty of time to make up lost ground.

This weekend presents another set of great games as most of the East Coast shifts into gear.

The next Elite 25 rankings are back Sept. 13. Be sure to support your local high schools—the future the game is on display. Hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 High School Football Rankings Sept. 6, 2016

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

Previous rank: 2.

Recap: then-No. x Cedar Hills (Texas), 44-14, and Cocoa (Fla.), 46-10. The Gaels look unstoppable.

Next: Friday at No. 2 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.).

2. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (2-0)

Previous rank: 4.

Recap: The Braves shut out St. Xavier (Cincinnati), 34-0, and La Mirada (Calif.), 34-0. Identical score lines and zero points allowed. This weekend’s game will be much different.

Next: Friday vs. No. 1 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) at Long Beach’s Veterans Stadium.

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

Previous rank: 3.

Recap: Defeated Grayson, 26-7, and Corona (Calif.) Centennial, 50-49. The Ascenders won for the second time this season when Brian Hightower grabs a 38-yard TD strike with 12 seconds left and the QB Kellen Mond hit Asa Martin with the decisive two-point conversion.

Next: Saturday vs. Washington (Tulsa, Okla.).

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

Previous rank: 9.

Recap: Defeated Mayfair (Lakewood), 63-0, and Bishop Amat (La Puente), 63-14.

Next: Friday vs. La Mirada.

5. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (2-0)

Previous rank: 10.

Recap: Ripped Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, Va.), 42-7, and Avalon (Gaithersburg, Md.), 55-20. RB Anthony McFarland, the Stags’ stat running back, is out with a broken fibula.

Next: Friday at Bishop McDevitt (Harrisburg, Pa.).

6. Allen, Texas (2-0)

Previous rank: 11.

Recap: Defeated Hoover (Ala.), 25-7, and Evangel Christian Academy (Shreveport, La.), 45-10.

Next: Friday at Coppell.

7. Booker T. Washington, Miami (2-0)

Previous rank: Not ranked.

Recap: Shocked previous No. 1 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale), 27-23, and took out Monsignor Pace (Miami Gardens), 28-6. There’s still a regular season showdown with No. 12 Central (Miami) on Sept. 24.

Next: Saturday vs. Jackson (Miami)

8. Mallard Creek, Charlotte, N.C. (3-0)

Previous rank: 12.

Recap: Opened with a 7-3 win over Dillon (S.C.), stopping a 37-game win streak in the process. Also defeated rival Butler (Charlotte), 35-20, and Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.), 21-14.

Next: Sept. 16 at South Pointe (Rock Hill, S.C.).

9. Roswell, Ga. (2-0)

Previous rank: 14.

Recap: Opened the season with a 24-7 victory over Buford. RB Sheldon Evans ran for 119 yards and a TD. Also topped Central Gwinnett (Lawrenceville), 31-6.

Next: Friday vs. Colquitt County (Moultrie).

10. McGill-Toolen, Mobile, Ala. (3-0)

Previous rank: 17.

Recap: The Yellow Jackets beat Murphy (Mobile), 43-0, Davidson (Mobile), 29-22, and Spanish Fort, 24-3. They roll into the bye week having outscored their opponents, 96-25.

Next: Sept. 16 at Foley.

11. American Heritage, Plantation, Fla. (2-0)

Previous rank: Not ranked.

Recap: Defeated then-No. 22 Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.), 21-0, and Colquitt County (Moultrie, Ga.). The Patriots have beaten defending state champions from Georgia and New Jersey, in back-to-back weeks.

Next: Friday at Northwestern (Miami).

12. Central, Miami (2-0)

Previous rank: Not ranked.

Recap: After putting up 59 points in the opening game, the Rockets routed Killian (Miami), 55-0. QB Tijuane Morten played only in the first half against Killian, hitting on 9-of-16 passes for 135 yards and two TDs.

Next: Saturday at First Coast (Jacksonville).

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

Previous rank: 1.

Recap: Upset by unranked Booker T. Washington (Miami), 27-23. QB Jake Allen tossed three TDs, lifting the Raiders over Miramar, 42-6. In recruiting news, WR Trevon Grimes continued the pipeline north when he verbally committed to Ohio State. The Buckeyes won out for his services over Miami, Florida, Alabama, Florida and Florida State.

Next: Friday vs. Plantation.

14. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (2-0)

Previous rank: Not ranked.

Recap: The Spartans have clobbered two Bay Area foes by the cumulative score of 99-20. A Sept. 16 date with East (Salt Lake City, Utah) is intriguing.

Next: Friday at Servite (Anaheim).

15. DeSoto, Texas (2-0)

Previous rank: Not ranked.

Recap: Defeated Jesuit (Dallas), 47-13, and Guyer (Denton), 51-17. The Eagles have a showdown with Class 6A powerhouse Cedar Hill on Sept. 23.

Next: Friday at Midland.

16. Grayson, Loganville, Ga. (1-1)

Previous rank: 5.

Recap: Fell to No. 3 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), 26-7, but then edged McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.), 16-13. An early season bye is in order for the Rams, who then play one of Florida’s top programs. Recently, CB Jamyest Williams, one of the nation’s premier recruits, verballed on national TV to South Carolina.

Next: Sept. 16 vs. Deerfield Beach (Fla.).

17. Cass Tech, Detroit (2-0)

Previous rank: 18.

Recap: Defeated Oak Park, 45-27, and Communication Media Arts (Detroit), 60-0. The Technicians offense is cranking.

Next: Friday vs. Pershing (Detroit).

18. Jenks, Okla. (2-0)

Previous rank: 19.

Recap: Defeated Owasso, 41-23 and Bixby, 38-34. Against Bixby, Nebraska-bound TE/DE Reese Leitao caught a 7-yard TD with 40 seconds left to complete the Trojans’ late rally. Sophomore QB Ian Corwin threw for three TDs in the victory.

Next: Friday vs. Union (Tulsa).

19. Colerain, Cincinnati (2-0)

Previous rank: 20.

Recap: Defeated Warren Central (Indianapolis), 31-28, and St. Xavier (Cincinnati), 20-14. The defense is shaky and has a huge test this weekend.

Next: Friday at La Salle (Cincinnati).

20 St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (2-0)

Previous rank: Not ranked.

Recap: Defeated then-No. xx Central Catholic (Pittsburgh), 35-14, and American Heritage (Delray Beach, Fla.), 42-9. Now the fun starts for Cadets. Their fixtures over the next four weeks are St. Joseph Regional (N.J.), IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) and Good Counsel (Olney, Md.). Yikes!

Next: Saturday at No. 24 St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, N.J.).

21. Katy, Texas (1-1)

Previous rank: 7.

Recap: Lost to then-No. 13 Westlake (Austin), 32-29, but rebounded in two overtimes to take down Klein Collins (Spring), 50-49, as sophomore RB Deondrick Glass rumbled for 250 yards and five TDs on 29 carries.

Next: Friday at The Woodlands.

22. Mountain Pointe, Phoenix (2-0)

Previous rank: 21.

Recap: Defeated O’Connor (Phoenix), 51-6, and Upland (Calif.), 41-22. After an early season bye, the Pride plays its most meaningful instate game before the playoffs.

Next: Thursday vs. Chandler.

23. Bingham, South Jordan, Utah (3-0)

Previous rank: 25.

Recap: Defeated Westlake (Saratoga Springs), 42-9, Herriman (West Herriman), 45-0, and Lone Peak (Highland), 42-21. In the showdown with Lone Peak, Jahvontay Smith rushed for 147 yards and two TDs and Brayden Cosper caught a pair of scores.

Next: Friday vs. West Jordan.

24. St. Joseph Regional, Montvale, N.J. (1-0)

Previous rank: Not ranked.

Recap: The Green Knights made a transcontinental trip and came away with a 17-7 win over Serra (Gardena, Calif.). RB Jordan Scott’s 77-yard scoring run made it 10-0 in the opening half and Louis Acceus added a short TD for a 17-0 lead at the break. A murderous schedule also includes games with league opponents Bergen Catholic (Oradell), Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey), Paramus Catholic and St. Peter’s Prep (Jersey City).

Next: Saturday vs. No. 20 St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.).

25. Converse (Texas) Judson (2-0)

Previous rank: Not ranked.

Recap: Defeated then-No. 6 Lake Travis, 35-28, and Brennan (San An Antonio), 55-13.

Next: Thursday at Roosevelt (San Antonio).

Dropped: No. 6 Lake Travis, Texas; No. 8 Cedar Hill, Texas; No. 13 Westlake, Austin, Texas; No. 15 Central Catholic, Pittsburgh; No. 16 Northwestern, Rock Hill, S.C.; No. 22 Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, N.J.; No. 23 Center Grove, Greenwood, Ind.; and No. 24 Valor Christian, Highlands Ranch, Colo.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (1-0)
2. St. Peter’s Prep, Jersey City, N.J. (1-0)
3. Bergen Catholic, Oradell, N.J. (1-0)
4. Highland Springs, Va. (2-0)
5. Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, N.J. (0-1)

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

Midwest

1. Loyola Academy, Wilmette, Ill. (2-0)
2. Cathedral, Indianapolis, (3-0)
3. Mount Carmel, Chicago (2-0)
4. Wayne, Huber Heights, Ohio (1-0-1)
5. La Salle, Cincinnati (2-0) FR-SA

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

Southland

1. Maryville, Tenn. (3-0)
2. Trinity, Louisville (3-0)
3. Brother Martin, New Orleans (1-0)
4. Clinton, Miss. (3-0)
5. Lake Travis, Texas (1-1)

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

Far West

1. Saguaro, Scottsdale, Ariz. (3-0)
2. Kahuku, Hawaii (4-0)
3. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (1-1)
4. Liberty, Henderson, Nev. (2-0)
5. West Linn, Ore. (1-0)

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 in late December. Follow him on Twitter at #clawlor.