MIAMI NICE! No. 25 Northwestern (FL) lands in Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings; No. 20 Corner Canyon (UT) charges to three-peat, No. 12 DeMatha (MD) bags 26th WCAC title

BENSALEM, Pa. – Thanksgiving and football go hand in hand. It’s known as a great fit. If you are playing schoolboy football at this time of the year, you are on an exceptional team or live in an area that embraces longstanding tradition.

Here’s a brief explanation.

In the Northeast, high schools will play an annual Thanksgiving Day Game. If you live in Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts or Connecticut, those traditional games are alive and kicking. Rivalries are renewed and most cases it’s a big social gathering with many people back in town for the holiday weekend.

If you are still alive in state playoffs, you’re closing in on the end, save power states such as California, Texas, Florida, Georgia and Louisiana—all of whom go deep into December.

Here’s a sampling of the games you could attend on Thursday morning:

Calvert Hall College (Baltimore) vs. Loyola Blakefield (Towson, Md.) to be played at Johnny Unitas Stadium in Towson; St. John’s Prep (Danvers, Mass.) at Xaverian Brothers (Westwood, Mass.); Darien (Conn.) at New Canaan (Conn.); Easton (Pa.) vs. Phillipsburg (N.J.) to be played on the campus of Lafayette College in Easton; Fordham Prep (Bronx) vs. Xavier (Manhattan) to be played at Fordham University’s Coffey Field in the Bronx; and Cardinal Hayes (Bronx) at Mount St. Michael (Bronx).

We’ve also identified five games of the week from the Elite 25 plus others of interest.

On Tuesday, No. 5 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) vs. Arbor View (Las Vegas) in Nevada Class 5A Open Division final at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Friday’s selections:

In Pasadena, Calif., No. 4 Corona (Calif.) Centennial vs. No. 10 Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) for the California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section Division 1 final in the Rose Bowl. Regional teams St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio) vs. Olentangy (Lewis Center, Ohio) in Division I semifinals at Arlin Field in Mansfield. No. 3 Grayson (Loganville, Ga.) vs. No. 11 Carrollton (Ga.) in Class 6A quarterfinals. No. 25 Northwestern (Miami) plays Central (Miami) in the Florida Class 3A, Region 4 final.

By the way, it’s first time since 2012 the Southern Section Division 1 won’t feature St. John Bosco (Bellflower) or Mater Dei (Santa Ana). However, Santa Margarita reps the vaunted Trinity League.

We have championship football in the New Jersey Meadowlands all day on Friday inside MetLife Stadium. Here’s the lineup:

Non-Public B: DePaul Catholic (Wayne) vs. Paramus Catholic, 10 a.m.; Group 5: Passaic Tech (Wayne) vs. Washington Township, 1 p.m.; Group 3: Old Tappan vs. Cedar Creek (Egg Harbor City), 4 p.m.; and Non-Public A: No. 16 Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey) vs. St. Joseph (Montvale), 7 p.m. Obviously, the final game of the day is a top-flight game of the week.

In Arizona, there are two Open Division semifinal matchups on Saturday night with No. 18 Hamilton (Chandler) hosting Chandler and No. 22 Liberty (Peoria) playing Basha (Chandler).

Additionally, there are state championships in Midwest states such as Illinois, Michigan and Indiana and in New York, it’s Catholic High School Athletic Association final with St. Francis (Athol Springs) visiting Iona Prep (New Rochelle) on Saturday afternoon.

Last weekend, No. 20 Corner Canyon (Draper, Utah) captured its third straight Class 6A state championship, becoming the first team in the Elite 25 to do so, and on Sunday, No.14 DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) repeated the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship and captured it for the 26^th time. As for the WCAC title, it is one of the nation’s top-flight leagues and winning it is the equal of a state championship. Kudos to head coach Bill McGregor and the Stags for a perfect ride this fall.

This week the lone addition to the Elite 25 is unbeaten No. 25 Northwestern (Miami) with then-No. 22 Orange (Calif.) Lutheran dropping out after one week of glory. Two teams have won postseason state or conference championship and five more go one this weekend. Nine teams remained the same this week, one dropped 12 spots and 14 moved up one slot. No. 17 Mater Dei absorbed the biggest hit in the Elite 25.

 Well, that’s it for the third weekend in November.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings will return on Tuesday, Dec. 2.

Until then, we wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy time with family and friends and if possible check out schoolboy football games in New England and select states in the Northeast. Traditions still exist for Turkey Day in select pockets and the season is down to mere days.

Keep up with us on X (formerly Twitter, @clawlor) for all announcements and other exclusives from the gridiron and the hardwood. The Elite 25 preseason girls basketball rankings dropped last week and will be updated in December.

Bye for now.

Stay safe. We hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Football Rankings, Nov. 25, 2025

1. Southlake (Texas) Carroll (12-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Recap: Defeated San Angelo Central, 72-7, in Class 6A. Division II Region 2 Area playoff game. QB Angelo Rena threw for 366 yards and five scores.

Next: Friday vs. Prosper in Class 6A, Division II Region 2 semifinals to be played at Choctaw Stadium in Arlington.

2. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (9-0)

Previous: 2.

Recap: Season complete.

3. Grayson, Loganville, Ga. (12-0)

Previous: 3.

Recap: Defeated Colquitt County (Norman Park), 31-10, in Class 6A second round.

Next: Friday at No. 11 Carrollton (Ga.) in Class 6A quarterfinals.

4. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (11-1)

Previous: 4.

Recap: Defeated No. 5 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), 28-27, in the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 semifinals. DL Miles Schirmer blocked the potential game-winning 46-yard field goal with 2.1 seconds left to clinch it. QB Dominick Catalano threw for 290 yards and one touchdown and ran for two more.

Next: Friday vs. No. 10 Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita) in CIF-Southern Sectional Division 1 final to be played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

5. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (10-1)

Previous: 6.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Tuesday vs. Arbor View (Las Vegas) in Nevada Class 5A Open Division final to be played at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

6. Buford, Ga. (12-0)

Previous: 7.

Recap: Defeated Newton (Covington), 31-14, in Class 6A second round.

Next: Friday vs. Douglas County (Douglasville) in Class 6A quarterfinals.

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

Previous: 8.

Recap: Season complete.

8. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (11-1)

Previous: 9.

Recap: Defeated Coconut Creek, 44-13, in Class 5A, Region 4 semifinals.

Next: Friday vs. McArthur (Hollywood) in Class 5A, Region 4 final.

9. Bixby, Okla. (11-0)

Previous: 10.

Recap: Defeated Union (Tulsa), 51-14, in the Class 6A-I quarterfinals.

Next: Friday vs. Broken Arrow in Class 6A-I semifinals.

10. Santa Margarita, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. (9-3)

Previous: 11.

Recap: Defeated then-No. 22 Orange (Calif.) Lutheran, 31-6, in the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 semifinals.

Next: Friday vs. No. 4 Corona (Calif.) Centennial in the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 final to be played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

11. Carrollton, Ga. (12-0)

Previous: 12.

Recap: Defeated Harrison (Kennesaw), 51-6, in Class 6A second round.

Next: Friday vs. No. 3 Grayson (Loganville) in Class 6A quarterfinal.

12. Allen, Texas (12-0)

Previous: 13.

Recap: Defeated Lake Highlands (Dallas), 41-7, in the Class 6A, Division I Region 1 Area playoff game.

Next: Friday vs. Odessa Permian in the Class 6A, Division I Region 1 semifinals to be played at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene.

13. DeMatha, Hyattsville,, Md. (11-0)*

Previous: 14.

Recap: Defeated Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.), 20-13, in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship game. QB Tristan Sabb accounted for all three TDs, throwing for two and running 1-yard late to snap a 13-all tie. The Stags won the conference for the second consecutive year and 26^th time overall. Season complete.

14. Clay-Chalkville, Pinson, Ala. (13-0)

Previous: 15.

Recap: Defeated Homewood, 35-17, in Class 6A quarterfinals.

Next: Friday vs. Muscle Shoals in Class 6A semifinals.

15. Mount Carmel, Chicago (13-0)

Previous: 16.

Recap: Defeated Fremd (Palatine), 42-21, in IHSA Class 8A semifinals.

Next: Saturday vs. Oswego in the Class 8A final to be played at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal.

16. Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, N.J. (11-0)

Previous: 17.

Recap: Defeated Bergen Catholic (Oradell), 31-17, NJSIAA  in Non-Public A semifinals. RB Ca’Si Thomas ran for two scores and Mikahi Allen’s 11-yard scoop and score in the third quarter put the game out of reach.

Next: Friday vs. St. Joseph Regional (Montvale) in NJSIAA Non-Public A final to be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.

17. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (8-3)

Previous: 5.

Recap: Lost to No. 4 Corona (Calif.) Centennial, 28-27, in the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 semifinals. The Monarchs led 10-0 but could not hold on and had a last second field goal blocked that would have won it. Season complete.

18. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (9-2)

Previous: 18.

Recap: Season complete.

19. Hamilton, Chandler, Ariz. (11-0)

Previous: 19.

Recap: Defeated Mountain View (Mesa), 35-27, in Arizona Open Division quarterfinals.

Next: Saturday vs. Chandler in the Arizona Open Division semifinals.

20. Corner Canyon, Draper, Utah (12-1)* 

Previous: 20.

Recap: Defeated Lone Peak (Highland), 35-20, for a third straight Class 6A state championship. It is the sixth title since 2018 under coach Eric Kjar. The Chargers were down 20-14 in the third quarter but rallied to score the game’s final 21 points. RB Weston Briggs carried 21 times for 170 yards and four TDs. Season complete.

21. Edna Karr, New Orleans (11-0)

Previous: 21.

Recap: Defeated Jesuit (New Orleans), 39-13, in the LHSA Select Division I Regional playoff game

Next: Friday vs. Evangel Christian Academy (Shreveport) in the LHSAA Select Division I quarterfinals.

22. Liberty, Peoria, Ariz. (10-1)

Previous: 23.

Recap: Defeated Red Mountain (Mesa), 48-23, in Arizona Open Division quarterfinals

Next: Saturday at Basha (Chandler) in the Arizona Open Division semifinals.

23. North Crowley, Fort Worth, Texas (11-1)

Previous: 24.

Recap: Defeated Midland Legacy, 63-17, in the Class 6A, Division I Region 1 Area playoff game. QB Hayes Cloutier threw for 203 yards and three TDs all to Damarion Mays in the first half.

Next: Saturday vs. Coppell in Class 6A, Division I Region 1 semifinals to be played at Midlothian ISD Stadium.

24. Chaminade-Madonna College Prep, Hollywood, Fla. (9-2)

Previous: 25.

Recap: Defeated Edison (Miami), 47-18, in the Class 1A, Region 4 semifinals.

Next: Friday vs. True North Classical Academy (Miami) in the Class 1A, Region 4 final.

25. Northwestern, Miami (11-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Defeated Coral Key West, 56-6, in FHSAA Class 3A, Region 4 semifinals. The Bulls enter the Elite 25 and face their archrivals in a huge playoff game and hope to win against them for the second time this season.

Next: Friday vs. Central (Miami) in FHSAA Class 3A, Region 4 final.

Dropped: No. 22 Orange (Calif.) Lutheran.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. La Salle College High, Wyndmoor, Pa. (11-1)*
2. Harrisburg, Pa. (13-0)
3. Central Catholic, Pittsburgh (12-1)
4. Christian Brothers Academy, Syracuse, N.Y. (11-0)
5. Iona Prep, New Rochelle, N.Y. (10-1)*

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

Midwest

1. Brownsburg, Ind. (13-0)
2. Cass Tech, Detroit (13-0)
3. St. Edward, Lakewood, Ohio (11-2)
4. Detroit Catholic Central, Novi, Mich. (13-0)
5. Olentangy Orange, Lewis Center, Ohio (13-0)

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

Southland

1. Grimsley, Greensboro, N.C. (12-0)
2. Bryant, Ark. (12-0)
3. Baylor School, Chattanooga, Tenn. (11-0)
4. North Shore, Galena Park, Texas (10-2)
5. Oakland, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (13-0)

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

Far West

1. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (12-0)
2. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (10-1)
3. Cherry Creek, Greenwood Village, Colo. (12-0)
4. Folsom, Calif. (11-1)
5. Lake Oswego, Ore. (11-1)

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

Records through Sunday’s games

 * 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 in December. Follow him on X (or Twitter) at @clawlor.