No. 1 Mater Dei (CA) braces for big challenge within Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings; No. 11 Corner Canyon (UT), No. 23 DeMatha (MD) claim championships

BENSALEM, Pa. – All signs pointed to archrivals No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) and No. 7 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) hooking up for a second time this season with shakes raised.

The prize is the California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section Division 1 championship and for the top-ranked Monarchs (11-0), they are going for a 14^th sectional title. The Trinity League brethren will continue their rivalry Friday at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach with a 7 p.m. PT kickoff.

When these Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings mainstays meet, expect the unexpected. It did earlier this fall.

When they met in late October, the Monarchs rolled the Braves (11-1), 59-14. Quarterback Dash Beierly passed for 309 yards and four touchdowns and ran 40 yards for another during the lopsided affair that essentially clinched the Trinity title.

Since then, the Braves have blown out two opponents and won twice by narrow margins, including last weekend in a 20-17 win over No. 25 Orange Lutheran.

This is the seventh time Mater Dei and Bosco will play in a Southern Section final since 2016 with each team winning three times. Expect the game to have a different flavor, meaning a tighter score, but Mater Dei is flush with talent on both lines. That’s usually the difference in big games. Freshman QB Koa Malau’ulu will be better prepared for the waves of players the Mater Dei defense will send.

It’s clearly the marquee game of the weekend but there’s more.

Thanksgiving Week kicks off on Tuesday with the Nevada Class 5A, Division I at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas with No. 8 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) and Arbor Viewing meeting for the hardware.

Friday has three playoff games of intrigue.

No. 10 Buford (Ga.) and No. 18 North Gwinnett (Suwanee, Ga.) go at it in the Class AAAAAA quarterfinals.

In East Rutherford, N.J., No. 9 Bergen Catholic (Oradell) tangles with league rivals Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey) for the NJSIAA Non-Public A state championship at MetLife Stadium. The Crusaders (10-1) won the first meeting this season, 24-20. This one figures to be another classic from the Swamps of Jersey.

No. 6 North Shore (Galena Park, Texas) plays Katy (Texas) at 2 p.m. CT inside NRG Stadium in Houston in the Class 6A, Division I Region 3 semifinals.

The traditional Thanksgiving games are alive if you live in Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, District of Columbia and Massachusetts. Most Thursday games start at 10 a.m. ET (or earlier) with large crowds expected for unofficial homecomings for the start of the holiday season.

If you live in the Boston to Washington belt, check out a rivalry game.

Best game: If you are in Boston, Massachusetts on Tuesday, head off to Fenway Park when Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket move their 44^th annual Island Cup to the mainland (the 75^th all-time meeting). The islands, known for summertime retreats of the rich and famous, are located 7 miles (Martha’ Vineyard) and 30 miles (Nantucket) off the coast of Cape Cod.

The combined year-round population of the islands might fill the quaint, iconic home of the Red Sox. Both teams and supporters will take ferries Tuesday afternoon to the mainland and drive north to Fenway before extended ferry service (reservations are sold out) gets them back later that night.

Trust me, this one is worth it because tradition, stories and bragging rights are on the line and that’s what Thanksgiving football is all about in the Northeast.

Here’s a good take on the game.

This week in the Elite 25 there was no movement despite two losses from teams involved in the CIF-Southern Section playoffs. We’ll start shifting the lineup in the next two weeks as the state championships are earned.

Well, that’s it for another week. The Blue Star Media Elite 25 rankings return on Dec. 3.

I’m Just Saying: Games I’ll be watching during the nonstop marathon of football over the Thanksgiving Weekend vary but I will attend the Bergen Catholic-Don Bosco state championship Friday night at MetLife Stadium since I reside 10 minutes away in New Jersey. On the tube, must-see TV includes three NFL games on Thursday with Miami at Green Bay at 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC) the logical choice; Minnesota at Wisconsin on Friday; Notre Dame at USC; Michigan at Ohio State; Texas at Texas A&M; and Auburn at Alabama on Saturday.

Finally, don’t forget to donate to the relief efforts for those who were affected by hurricanes this fall in the Carolinas and along the East Coast. Go to the American Red Cross. No amount is too small.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving. Travel safe and pass along our very best to your family and friends.

Bye for now.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 High School Football Rankings, Nov. 26, 2024

1. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (11-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Recap: Defeated No. 15 Corona Centennial, 36-7, in CIF-Southern Section Division 1 semifinals.

Next: Friday vs. No. 7 St. John Bosco (Bellflower) in the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 final to be played at Veterans Stadium in Long Beach.

2. Duncanville, Texas (11-0)

Previous: 2.

Recap: Defeated Rockwall, 56-14, in Class 6A, Division I Area playoff game.

Next: Saturday vs. The Woodlands in the Class, Division I Region 2 semifinals to be played at Hutto Memorial Stadium in Hutto.

3. Milton, Alpharetta, Ga. (12-0)

Previous: 3.

Recap: Defeated Dutchtown (Hampton), 41-3, in Class AAAAA second round.

Next: Friday vs. Houston County (Warner Robins) in Class AAAAA quarterfinals.

4. North Crowley, Fort Worth, Texas (12-0)

Previous: 4.

Recap: Defeated Odessa Permian, 72-14, in Class 6A, Division I Area playoff game. The Panthers have a meeting with an undefeated team this weekend.

Next: Saturday vs. Coppell in the Class 6A, Division I Region 1 semifinals at Mansfield’s Newsom Stadium.

5. Carrollton, Ga. (12-0)

Previous: 5.

Recap: Defeated Valdosta, 49-13, in Class AAAAAA second round. It was 15-0 after one quarter and 36-7 at halftime. QB Julian Lewis, who recently decommitted from USC, announced Thursday, Nov. 21 on the Pat McAfee Show, that he’ll sign with the Colorado Buffaloes and head coach Deion Sanders. Lewis, who tossed four TDs in the second-round blowout, also considered Indiana.

Next: Friday vs. Hillgrove (Powder Springs) in Class AAAAAA quarterfinals.

6. North Shore, Galena Park, Texas (12-0)

Previous: 6.

Recap: Defeated Ridge Point (Missouri City), 44-28, in Class 6A, Division I Area playoff game.

Next: Friday vs. Katy in Class 6A, Division I Region 3 semifinals to be played at Houston’s NRG Stadium.

7. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (11-1)

Previous: 7.

Recap: Defeated No. 25 Orange Lutheran, 20-17, in CIF-Southern Section Division 1 semifinals. QB Koa Malau’ulu passed for 182 yards and ran a score.

Next: Friday vs. No. 1 in CIF-Southern Section Division 1 final to be played Veterans Stadium in Long Beach.

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

Previous: 8.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Tuesday vs. Arbor View (Las Vegas) in Nevada Class 5A, Division 1 final to be played at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

9. Bergen Catholic, Oradell, N.J. (10-1)

Previous: 9.

Recap: Rallied to beat St. Joseph Regional (Montvale), 20-14, in overtime in the Non-Public A semifinals. Trailing 14-0 in the third, the Crusaders tied it at 14 when QB Dominic Campanile scored from the 1 with 3:54 left. RB Najee Calhoun then scored on the third play of the extra session from the 1 to win it. Up next the Crusaders go for a fourth straight state title against another league archrival.

Next: Friday vs. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey) in Non-Public A final to be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.

10. Buford, Ga. (11-1)

Previous: 10.

Recap: Defeated Lowndes County (Valdosta), 42-7, in Class AAAAAA second round.

Next: Friday vs. No. 18 North Gwinnett (Suwanee) in Class AAAAAA quarterfinals.

11. Corner Canyon, Draper, Utah (13-1)*

Previous: 11.

Recap: Won a second consecutive Class 6A state champion, defeating Lone Peak (Highland), 30-27 in the final. It was the fifth state title for the Chargers in the last seven years. The Chargers scored on the opening play from scrimmage for a 7-0 lead but would trail 21-14 at the intermission but peeling off 16 unanswered points in the second half to make it 30-21. Junior RB Weston Briggs carried 24 times 140 and two TDs. Season complete.

12. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (7-2)

Previous: 12.

Recap: Season complete.

13. Archbishop Spalding, Severn, Md. (12-0)*

Previous: 13.

Recap: Won a third consecutive MIAA A Conference championship. Season complete.

14. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (12-0)

Previous: 14.

Recap: Defeated Pittsburg, 10-7, in CIF-North Coast Section Open Division final. The Spartans needed a fourth-quarter 35-yard TD from Dominic Kelley to rally for their 32^nd consecutive sectional title.

Next: Dec. 6 or 7 vs. TBD in CIF-Northern Region Open Division final.

15. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (9-3)

Previous: 15.

Recap: Lost to No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 36-7, in the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 semifinals. Season complete.

16. Atascocita, Humble, Texas (11-1)

Previous: 16.

Recap: Defeated Pearland, 28-17, in in Class 6A, Division I Area playoff game .

Next: Friday vs. Fulshear in Class 6A, Division I Region 3 semifinals to be played at Houston’s Thorne Stadium.

17. Chaminade-Madonna College Prep, Hollywood, Fla. (10-2)

Previous: 17.

Recap: Defeated St. Andrew’s (Boca Raton), 70-0, in Class 1A, Region 4 semifinals.

Next: Friday vs. Edison (Miami) in Class 1A, Region 4 final.

18. North Gwinnett, Suwanee, Ga. (12-0)

Previous: 18.

Recap: Defeated Newton (Covington), 24-10 in Class AAAAAA second round.

Next: Friday vs. No. 10 Buford in Class AAAAAA quarterfinals.

19. Lakeland, Fla. (11-0)

Previous: 19.

Recap: Defeated Gaither (Tampa), 41-13, in Class 5A, Region 2 semifinals.

Next: Friday vs. Tampa Bay Tech in Class 5A, Region 2 final.

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

Previous: 21.

Recap: Defeated Higley (Gilbert), 64-26, in AIA Open Division quarterfinals.

Next: Saturday vs. Hamilton (Chandler) in AIA Open Division semifinals to be played Mountain Pointe High School in Phoenix.

21. Mission Viejo, Calif. (10-1)

Previous:21.

Recap: Season complete.

22. Gaffney, S.C. (9-1)

Previous: 22.

Recap: Defeated Riverside (Greer), 41-21, in Class 5A Division II Upper State quarterfinals.

Next: Friday v. T.L. Hanna (Greenville) in Class 5A, Division II Upper State semifinals.

23. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (10-1)*

Previous: 23.

Recap: Won the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship, defeating Good Counsel (Olney), 16-7, in the final. It was the program’s 25^th WCAC title and first since 2016. Season complete.

24. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (9-2)

Previous: 24.

Recap: Defeated Parkland (Allentown), 46-7, in PIAA Class 6A quarterfinals.

Next: Friday vs. Downingtown West in PIAA Class 6A semifinals to be played at Coatesville High School.

25. Orange (Calif.) Lutheran (8-4)

Previous: 25.

Recap: Lost to No. 7 St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 20-17, in CIF-Southern Section, Division 1 semifinals. Season complete.

Dropped: None.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (7-3)
2. DePaul Catholic, Wayne, N.J. (10-1)
3. Oscar Smith, Chesapeake, Va. (13-0)
4. Phoebus, Hampton, Va. (11-0)
5. Central Catholic, Pittsburgh (11-2)*

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

Midwest

1. Lincoln-Way East, Frankfort, Ill. (13-0)
2. Moeller, Cincinnati (13-1)
3. East St. Louis, Ill. (12-1)
4. St. Edward, Lakewood, Ohio (9-5)
5. Avon, Ohio (14-0)

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

Southland

1. Venice, Fla. (11-1)
2. Southlake (Texas) Carroll (12-0)
3. Owasso, Okla. (11-0)
4. Ravenwood, Brentwood, Tenn. (13-0)
5. Edna Karr, New Orleans (11-0)

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

Far West

1. Basha, Chandler, Ariz, (10-1)
2. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (8-4)
3. Lake Oswego, Ore. (11-0)
4. Bellevue, Wash. (11-0)
5. Kahuku, Hawaii (9-4)

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

* Denotes a state or conference postseason champion

Records are through Sunday

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 of the 2024 season. Follow him on X at @clawlor.