No. 1 Mater Dei (CA) rolls in showdown game; No. 21 Hoover (AL) and No. 23 La Salle College (PA) in Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings

BENSALEM, Pa. — Two teams enter the Blue Star Media Elite 25 high school football rankings while another tumbled 12 spots after an upset loss.

No. 21 Hoover (Ala) and No. 23 La Salle College (Wyndmoor, Pa.), a pair of unbeaten teams debut in the Elite 25 following impressive wins. Hoover, Alabama’s second-ranked Class 7A team, dismantled Hewitt-Trussville, 34-10. The Bucs (7-0) are winding down their season with only three games remaining, including showdown with No. 6 Thompson (Alabaster) on Oct. 22. The winner of that game will surely win the Region 3 championship. A second meeting could occur in the postseason.

In Philadelphia, La Salle knocked off then-No. 19 St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia), 28-14. La Salle is Pennsylvania’s No. 2 in the Class AAAAAA rankings. The victory essentially clinched the Explorers bid for the Philadelphia Catholic League Red title. The teams could meet again in the playoffs.

In Ohio, No. 25 St. Xavier (Cincinnati) was shocked by Trinity (Louisville, Ky.) by a point. The Bombers remain in the Elite 25 but there is no margin for error. This weekend the Bombers can seal the Greater Catholic League South championship with a win over rival La Salle (Cincinnati).

And in the game of the year, No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) doubled up then-No. 2 St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 42-21. The game was tied at 21-21 heading into the third quarter when the Monarchs tallied two touchdowns. Bosco (5-1) dropped one slot in the Elite 25 and could see their archrivals again in the CIF-Southern Section playoffs.

Okay, that’s it for the first week in October. The Blue Star Media Elite 25 rankings return in Oct. 12.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Football Rankings, Oct. 5, 2021

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

Previous rank: 1.

Recap: Defeated then- No. 2 St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 42-21. Sophomore QB Elijah Brown tossed five touchdowns for the Monarchs, who scored three times in the second half to break a 21-21 halftime deadlock. In the third, Brown passed 31 yards to Cooper Barkate and 19 yards to Jack Ressler for a 35-21 lead. Ajon Bryant sped 29 yards in the fourth quarter to close out the scoring.

Next: Friday at Orange (Calif.) Lutheran.

2. Westlake, Austin, Texas (5-0)

Previous: 3.

Recap: Defeated San Marcos, 56-0.

Next: Friday vs. Bowie (Austin).

3. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (5-1)

Previous: 2.

Recap: Lost to No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 42-21. The game was tied 21-all at halftime. WR Chedon James caught a 22-yard TD pass  in the second quarter for a temporary 21-14 lead.

Next: Friday at JSerra (San Juan Capistrano) to be played at Saddleback College.

4 Collins Hill, Suwanee, Ga. (7-0)

Previous: 4.

Recap: Defeated Peachtree Ridge (Suwanee), 63-0.

Next: Oct. 14 at North Gwinnett (Suwanee).

5. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (5-0)

Previous: 5.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Oct. 15 vs. St. Thomas More (Oakdale, Conn.).

6. Thompson, Alabaster, Ala. (7-0)

Previous: 6.

Recap: Defeated Vestavia Hills, 49-7. The Warriors allowed a rare TD.

Next: Friday vs. Gadsden City (Gadsden).

7. Katy, Texas (6-0)

Previous: 7.

Recap: Defeated Katy Thompkins, 56-21.

Next: Friday vs. Mayde Creek (Houston).

8. Southlake (Texas) Carroll (6-0)

Previous: 8.

Recap: Defeated Keller, 49-13. RB James Lehman rushed for 133 yards on 22 carries and R.J. Maryland caught three TD passes from QB Kaden Anderson

Next: Friday vs. Keller Central.

9. Chandler, Ariz. (5-0)

Previous: 9.

Recap: Defeated Pinnacle (Phoenix), 35-19.

Next: Friday at Perry (Gilbert).

10. Bergen Catholic, Oradell, N.J. (5-0)

Previous: 10.

Recap: Defeated Pope John XXIII (Sparta), 41-0. RB Saaed St. Fleur scored on runs of 2 and 5 yards as the Crusaders jumped to a 21-0 lead after one quarter.

Next: Friday at Paramus Catholic.

11. Bixby, Okla. (5-0)

Previous: 11.

Recap: Defeated Putnam City West (Oklahoma City), 81-6. The Spartans have scored 157points in the last two weeks. Junior RB Kirby Connor rushed for three TDs. QB Christian Burke threw for 176 yards and three scores.

Next: Friday at Choctaw.

12. Corner Canyon, Draper, Utah (8-0)

Previous: 12.

Recap: Defeated Westlake (Saratoga Springs), 56-0. The Chargers jumped to a 28-point lead after one quarter. Devin Brown threw for five TDs, including a pair to Blaze DeGracie and BYU-bound Cody Hagen. It was the team’s 48^thstraight win, tying the Utah mark for most consecutive wins.

Next: Thursday vs. Long Peak (Highland).

13. Servite, Anaheim, Calif. (6-0)

Previous: 14.

Recap: Defeated Orange (Calif.) Lutheran, 56-12. Arizona-bound QB Noah Fifita completed 19-of-21 passes for 403 yards and five TDs. WR Tetairoa McMillan caught nine passes for 218 yards and four scores.

Next: Thursday vs. Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita).

14. Jesuit, Tampa, Fla. (5-0)

Previous: 15.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday at Central Catholic (Clearwater).

15. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (5-1)

Previous: 16.

Recap: Defeated Cooper City, 69-0. The Raiders posted their first shutout of the season.

Next: Friday at South Plantation (Plantation).

16. Milton, Alpharetta, Ga. (5-1)

Previous: 17.

Recap: Defeated Alpharetta, 55-27.

Next: Friday at Etowah (Woodstock).

17. Denton (Texas) Guyer (6-0)

Previous: 18.

Recap: Defeated Prosper, 35-7.

Next: Friday vs. Braswell (Little Elm).

18. St Frances Academy, Baltimore (3-1)

Previous: 20.

Recap: Defeated De La Salle (Concord, Calif.), 42-28. Leading 14-7 after one quarter, the Panthers scored 21 points in the second for a 35-14 edge.

Next: Saturday at Academy of the New Church (Bryn Athyn, Pa.).

19. Center Grove, Greenwood, Ind. (7-0)

Previous: 21.

Recap: Defeated Pike (Indianapolis), 49-6. Drew Wheat scored two TDs, including one off an 80-yard kickoff return.

Next: Friday vs. Lawrence North (Indianapolis).

20. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (6-0)

Previous: 23.

Recap: Defeated King (Riverside), 84-0.

Next: Thursday at Santiago (Corona).

21. Hoover, Ala. (7-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Defeated Hewitt (Ala.)-Trussville, 34-10. The Bucs enter the Elite 25 with three games left in the regular season.

Next: Friday at Spain Park (Hoover).

22. Hamilton, Chandler, Ariz. (5-0)

Previous: 24.

Recap: Defeated Perry (Gilbert), 42-7.

Next: Friday at Chaparral (Scottsdale).

23. La Salle College, Wyndmoor, Pa. (6-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Defeated then-No. 19 St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia), 28-21. QB Alan Paturzo’s 5-yard TD run late in the third quarter made it 28-14. The Explorers are in the driver’s seat for the Philadelphia Catholic League Red title.

Next: Saturday vs. Roman Catholic (Philadelphia).

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

Previous: 25.

Recap: Defeated Canyon Springs (North Las Vegas), 51-0. The Gaels raced to a 37-point lead at the intermission.

Next: Friday at Legacy (North Las Vegas).

25. St. Xavier, Cincinnati (6-1)

Previous: 13.

Recap: Upset by Trinity (Louisville, Ky.), 33-32. The Bombers allowed the winning score with 57 seconds left. QB Brogan McCaughey ran and passed for TDs and RB Charles Kellom carried 24 times for 112 yards and two scores.

Next: Friday vs. La Salle (Cincinnati).

Dropped: No. 19 St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia) and No. 22 St. Peter’s Prep (Jersey City, N.J.).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (5-0)
2. Stone Bridge, Ashburn, Va. (6-0)
3. Archbishop Spalding, Severn, Md. (6-0)
4. DePaul Catholic, Wayne, N.J. (4-1)
5. Iona Prep, New Rochelle, N.Y. (4-1)

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

Midwest

1. St. Edward, Lakewood, Ohio (6-0)
2. Cathedral, Indianapolis (7-0)
3. Loyola Academy, Wilmette, Ill. (6-0)
4. Millard South, Omaha, Neb. (6-0)
5. Lakeville (Minn.) South (5-0)

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

Southland

1. Catholic, Baton Rouge, La. (5-0)
2. Oakland, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (7-0)
3. Dutch Fork, Irmo, S.C. (5-0)
4. Venice, Fla. (5-0)
5. Male, Louisville, Ky. (5-0)

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

Far West

1. Valor Christian, Highlands Ranch, Colo. (6-0)
2. Folsom, Calif. (6-0)
3. St. Francis, Mountain View, Calif. (4-0)
4. Graham (Wash.)-Kapowsin (5-0)
5. Tualatin, Ore. (5-0)

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 August until the conclusion of the high school season in December. 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. Follow him on Twitter at @clawlor.