BENSALEM, Pa. – If a hypothetical question was posed last week or anytime this season: Can anyone unseat preseason top-ranked St. John Bosco High School of Bellflower, California?
There would have been an overwhelming “yes” echoing throughout the Internet world. We always felt the winner of Bosco and Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) would claim the top billing in the Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings. It held up in the regular season and is playing out in the playoffs.
Last weekend, new No. 1 Mater Dei pulled a script from Super Bowl XXV when the New York Giants topped the juggernaut Buffalo Bills, 20-19. The Monarchs kept the Braves about 38 points below their season average, used time-consuming drives and played defense to the nth-degree. In other words, they played the perfect game to derail the Braves, 17-13, to capture their second straight CIF-Southern Section Division 1 title—thereby claiming the nation’s toughest chip in talent fertile, hip southern California.
Mater Dei still has one more mountain to climb but it can see the summit.
As the calendar flips to the month of December later this week, five Elite 25 teams from Arizona, Nevada and Ohio will be playing for state championships. Last weekend, teams from Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Indiana, Minnesota and Michigan were duking it out for state hardware. So far nine programs from the Elite 25 and Regional High-Fives have won state or conference postseason titles.
This week No. 24 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) returns to the Elite 25 rankings and are on the cusp of a 10thconsecutive Nevada state championship. The Gaels began the season with three losses in four games, but have bounced back. They need to stop Bishop Manogue (Reno) Saturday to close out a true “Decade of Dominance.”
We also welcome No. 25 Coatesville (Pa.), Pennsylvania’s second-ranked Class AAAAAA team, featuring an electrifying offense. The Red Raiders are on a mission to reach the state final in one of the nation’s most competitive state brackets.
The season is winding down and only three rankings remain before the clock bleeds dry. The final football rankings will be released on December 24. Call it an early Christmas present. As it stands teams from California and Texas have the inside track to the Blue Star Media Elite 25 National Championship.
The Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings will return on December 4. As a reminder, the Elite 25 boys and girls’ basketball rankings will be updated on Dec. 18 and 19—before the holiday hoop tournament schedule kicks in. Follow me on Twitter at @clawlor for those updates.
Remember to keep those affected by the recent wildfires throughout California in your thoughts and prayers. Stay strong, folks!
Hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor
Blue Star Media Elite 25 Football Rankings, Nov. 27, 2018
1. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (11-2) #
Previous rank: 3.
Recap: Defeated then-No. 1 St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 17-13, in the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 final. The Monarchs reclaim the Elite 25 top ranking after winning their second straight sectional title. They split two games with Bosco this season, but won when it counted most. WR Bru McCoy caught a 22-yard TD pass from junior QB Bryce Young in the third quarter for a 14-7 lead and a fourth-quarter field goal from 42 yard by Nick Lopez closed out the scoring.
Next: Dec. 8 vs. TBD in CIF Open Division final.
2. Allen, Texas (12-0)
Previous: 2.
Recap: Defeated Rockwall, 52-40, in the Class 6A, Division I Area playoff game. QB Grant Tisdale was he trigger man, accounting for four TDs (two rushing, two passing) and 352 total yards, including 150 on the ground on 20 carries.
Next: Saturday vs. The Woodlands in the Class 6A, Division I, Region 2 semifinals at Baylor University’s McLane Stadium in Waco.
3. Colquitt County, Norman Park, Ga. (13-0)
Previous: 4.
Recap: Stopped North Gwinnett (Suwanee), 45-0, in the Class AAAAAAA quarterfinals.
Next: Friday vs. Archer (Lawrenceville) in the in the Class AAAAAAA semifinals.
4. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (11-0)
Previous: 5.
Recap: Idle. The sectional final was delayed a week by the wildfires.
Next: Saturday vs. Liberty (Brentwood in the CIF-North Coast Section Open Division final.
5. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (13-1)
Previous: 1.
Recap: Upended by No. 3 Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 17-13, in the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 final. Season complete.
6. Warren Central, Indianapolis (14-0)*
Previous: 6.
Recap: Defeated Carmel, 27-7, in the Class 6A state championship game. RB Romeir Elliott scored three TDs and QB Jayden George threw for two scores. The Warriors have won nine Indiana state titles in nine attempts. Season complete.
7. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (9-0)
Previous: 8.
Recap: Season complete.
8. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (7-1)
Previous: 9.
Recap: The Ascenders do not compete for a state championship. Season complete.
9. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (12-1)
Previous: 10.
Recap: Defeated Dwyer (Palm Beach Gardens, 35-0, in the Class 7A, Region 4 final. This weekend is a revenge game for the Raiders.
Next: Friday vs. Venice in the Class 7A semifinals
10. Rome, Ga. (12-0)
Previous: 11.
Recap: Defeated Dutchtown (Hampton), 28-14, in the Class AAAAA quarterfinals
The Wolves jumped to a 15-0 lead at halftime on TD runs supplied by RB Jamious Griffin and QB Knox Kadum.
Next: Friday vs. Warner Robins in Class AAAAA semifinals.
11. Saint Louis, Honolulu (11-0)*
Previous: 12.
Recap: Won the Hawaii Open Division championship, defeating Mililani (Honolulu), 38-17. It was a the defense that set the tone with CB Korvin Feagins with nine tackles and three interceptions and LB Jordan Botelho with six tackles, 2.5 sacks and a 74-yard return for a score. This was the 18thstate title under coach Cal Lee. Regular season complete
12. Dutch Fork, Irmo, S.C. (11-0)
Previous: 13.
Recap: Crushed West Florence (Florence), 59-14, in the Class AAAAA Lower State semifinals. The Silver Foxes were up 38-0 at the intermission.
Next: Friday at Summerville in Lower State final or Class AAAAA state semifinals.
13. Colerain, Cincinnati (14-0)
Previous: 14.
Recap: Doubled up Pickerington (Ohio) Central, 28-14, in Division I semifinals. QB Deante Smith-Moore and Ivan Pace, Jr. rushed for two TDs apiece.
Next: Friday vs. St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio) in Division I final at Tom Benson Stadium in Canton
14. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (11-0)
Previous: 15.
Recap: Defeated Freedom (Bethlehem), 42-14, in the Class AAAAAA quarterfinals. Leading 14-7 and the momentum shifting, Zach Bouggess’ 91-yard kickoff return for a score made it 21-7 and the game was essentially over. Sophomore Kyle McCord passed for three TDs.
Next: Saturday vs. Pine-Richland (Gibsonia) in the Class AAAAAA semifinals to be played in Altoona.
15. Longview, Texas (12-0)
Previous: 16.
Recap: Crushed Prosper, 63-17, in the Class 6A, Division II Area playoff. The Lobos face an unbeaten opponent in the next round.
Next: Saturday vs. Vandergrift (Austin) in the Class 6A, Division II, Region 2 semifinals to be played at Baylor University’s McLane Stadium in Waco.
16. Converse (Texas) Judson (11-0)
Previous: 19.
Recap: The Rockets tallied five TDs in the second quarter en route to a 63-21 victory over . Reagan (San Antonio) in the Class 6A, Division I Area playoff game. Sincere McCormick sprinted 55 and 65 yards for TDs and QB Mike Chandler chucked for a pair of scores and ran for another.
Next: Friday at San Benito in the Class 6A, Division I, Region 4 semifinals.
17. Carol City, Miami Gardens, Fla. (9-3) @
Previous: 17.
Recap: Season complete.
18. Archbishop Hoban, Akron, Ohio (14-0)
Previous: 20.
Recap: Defeated Avon, 42-7, in the Division II semifinals.
Next: Thursday vs. Massillon (Ohio) Washington in Division II final at Tom Benson Stadium in Canton.
19. Centennial, Peoria, Ariz. (13-0)
Previous: 21.
Recap: Idle.
Next: Saturday vs. Notre Dame Prep (Scottsdale) in the 5A final to be played at Sun Devils Stadium in Tempe.
20. Chandler, Ariz. (12-1)
Previous: 22.
Recap: Idle.
Next: Saturday vs. Perry (Gilbert) in the 6A final at to be played at Sun Devils Stadium in Tempe.
21. John Curtis Christian, River Ridge, La. (12-0)
Previous: 23.
Recap: Outscored Evangel Christian Academy (Shreveport), 56-34, in the Division I semifinals.
Next: Dec. 8 vs. Catholic (Baton Rouge) in the Division 1 final at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.
22. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (9-1)
Previous: 24.
Recap: Won the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference regular season title. Season complete.
23. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (12-1)
Previous: 25.
Recap: Advanced to the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 semifinals. Season complete.
24. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (11-3)
Previous: Not ranked.
Recap: Defeated Liberty (Henderson, Nev.), 42-28. The Gaels re-enter the Elite 25 after a slow start. The Gaels won last weekend after taking a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.
Next: Saturday vs. Bishop Manogue (Reno) in the NIAA Class 4A final at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas.
25. Coatesville, Pa. (14-0)
Previous: Not ranked.
Recap: Defeated North Penn (Lansdale), 42-13, in the Class AAAAAA District 1 final. The Red Raiders successfully defended their district title as RB Ricky Young rushed for 175 yards and a score and fired an 8-yard halfback option to QB Ricky Ortega for a 14-6 lead at the break.
Next: Saturday vs. Harrisburg in the Class AAAAAA semifinals to he played at Hersheypark Stadium.
Dropped: No. 7 Central (Miami) and No. 18 Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.).
High-Fives by Region
East
- St. Joseph Regional, Montvale, N.J. (10-2)*
- Gonzaga, Washington, D.C (9-3)*
- Westfield, Chantilly, Va. (13-0)
- Harrisburg, Pa. (12-1)
- Penn Hills, Pittsburgh (14-0)
Geography: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Virginia.
Midwest
- Christian Brothers College, St. Louis (12-1)*
- Burke, Omaha, Neb. (13-0)*
- Lakeville (Minn.) North (13-0)*
- Muskego, Wis. (14-0)*
- Chippewa Valley, Clinton Township, Mich. (14-0)*
Geography: Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Southland
- West Monroe, La. (13-0)
- Broken Arrow, Okla. (12-0)
- Phenix City (Ala.) Central (13-0)
- Trinity Christian Academy, Jacksonville, Fla. (13-0)
- Lee County, Leesburg, Ga. (13-0)
Geography: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.
Far West
- Folsom, Calif. (11-1)
- Oaks Christian School, Westlake Village, Calif. (12-1)
- Valor Christian, Highlands Ranch, Colo. (13-0)
- Eastside Catholic, Sammamish, Wash. (11-1)
- Liberty, Brentwood, Calif. (11-0)
Geography: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
* Won state or conference postseason championship
# Includes a forfeit loss
@ Includes two forfeit losses
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.
Senior Writer and national analyst for Blue Media and compiles the Blue Star Elite 25 national boys and girls high school basketball and football rankings during the season. Lawlor, an award-winning writer, is a voting committee member and advisor for several national high school events, including the McDonald’s All-American Games. He previously wrote for USA TODAY and ESPN.com, where he was the national preps writer, while compiling the national rankings in four sports.
