No. 1 Mater Dei (CA) takes showdown between Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings’ top two teams as QB Elijah Brown improves to 24-0 as starter

BENSALEM, Pa. – One of the most remarkable subplots to come of southern California is truly notable and rife with championship timber.

When Mater Dei (Santa Ana) knocked off then-No. 1 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), 17-7, last Friday in a defensive standoff, junior quarterback Elijah Brown improved to 24-0 as a starter in portions of three seasons. That includes 2021 when the Monarchs played an abbreviated spring scheduled in lieu of the true 2020 term due to the coronavirus.

Then last fall, Brown quarterbacked the Monarchs to another perfect campaign capped by a California Interscholastic Federation Open Division Bowl crown and the No.1 spot in the Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings.

After last weekend’s result, the Monarchs (7-0) are back atop the Elite 25, knocking the No. 3 Braves from their lofty perch and down two slots. No. 2 Westlake (Austin, Texas) moves up a spot after wiping out another opponent.

SJB (6-1) did not slide too far down the Elite 25 rankings and there’s a likely chance they will face Mater Dei, its Trinity League archrivals, again in the CIF-Southern Section playoffs over the Thanksgiving Weekend at the famed Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

Talk about a tremendous back drop for the championship game. In case you are keeping score, Mater Dei, has won eight of the last 11 meetings.

Other than the shift at the top of the Elite 25 rankings, there were no additions. Everyone won or were idle in bye weeks. That will start to change soon with the playoffs in most states kicking off in two weeks.

This weekend the top two games from the Elite 25 include No. 21 Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati) facing No. 24 St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio) in a potential preview of the Division I state championship game and then No. 22 Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) visits their archrival St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, N.J.). Both games are slated for Saturday afternoon.

In Georgia, No. 6 Buford (Ga.) puts an unbeaten season on the line against Mill Creek (Hoschton) on Friday. Mill Creek, No. 3 in the Georgia Class 7A rankings, could take over the top spot in the state’s largest classification with a win.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings return on Oct. 18, reflecting nearly three months of football.

Don’t forget to check out the latest Blue Star Media Net 25 volleyball rankings.

Until then stay safe and get out to a high school sporting event in your state. We hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Football Rankings, Oct. 11, 2022

1. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (7-0)

Previous rank: 2.

Recap: Defeated then-No. 1 St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 17-7. Junior QB Elijah Brown, who hit on 11 of 18 passes for a modest 119 yards and a rushing touchdown, is 24-0 as a three-year starter. The Monarchs locked in a 7-all draw in the quarter when Andre Medina kicked a 22-yard field goal for a 10-7 lead with 7:10 left. With just over a minute left, RB Jordon Davison (114 yards rushing) darted 38 yards for a score.

Next: Friday vs. Orange (Calif.) Lutheran.

2. Westlake, Austin, Texas (6-0)

Previous: 3.

Recap: Defeated Anderson (Austin), 66-17.

Next: Friday at Dripping Springs.

3. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (6-1)

Previous: 1.

Recap: Lost to No. 2 Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 17-7. RB Cameron Jones rumbled 6 yards for the game-tying TD late in the third quarter. Louisville-bound QB Pierce Clarkson did not play the second half due to concussion protocol. He also threw a crucial interception at the goal line the first half.

Next: Friday vs. JSerra (San Juan Capistrano).

4. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (5-0)

Previous: 4.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Oct. 28 at Arundel (Gambrills, Md.).

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

Previous: 5.

Recap: Defeated Summer Creek (Humble), 34-27.

Next: Friday vs. West Brook (Beaumont).

6. Buford, Ga. (6-0)

Previous: 6.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday vs. Mill Creek (Hoschton).

7. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (6-0)

Previous: 7.

Recap: Defeated Dillard (Fort Lauderdale), 24-6.

Next: Friday vs. Fort Lauderdale High.

8. Central, Miami (6-0)

Previous: 8.

Recap: Defeated Northwestern (Miami), 42-7.

Next: Friday vs. Norland (Miami).

9. Chandler, Ariz. (6-0)

Previous: 9.

Recap: Defeated Casteel (Queen Creek), 40-21.

Next: Friday at Mountain View (Mesa).

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

Previous: 10.

Recap: Defeated Keller, 38-35.

Next: Thursday at Keller Central.

11. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (7-1)

Previous: 11.

Recap: Defeated Legacy (North Las Vegas), 69-0. The Gaels pitched a second straight shutout.

Next: Friday at Palo Verde (Las Vegas).

12. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (4-1)

Previous:12.

Recap: Defeated St. Thomas More (Oakdale, Conn.), 45-0.

Next: Friday at American Collegiate Academy (Clearwater).

13. Chaminade-Madonna College Prep, Hollywood, Fla. (5-0)

Previous: 13.

Recap: The Lions had games with Treasure Coast (Port St. Luce) and Venice both cancelled by hurricane recovery efforts.

Next: Thursday vs. Somerset Academy Key (Deerfield Beach).

14. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (6-1)

Previous: 14.

Recap: Defeated Roosevelt (Eastvale), 62-14.

Next: Friday at Vista Murietta (Murietta).

15. Duncanville, Texas (5-0)

Previous: 15.

Recap: Defeated Waxahachie, 24-7.

Next: Friday vs. Mansfield.

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

Previous: 16.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday at Denton Braswell.

17. Katy, Texas (7-0)

Previous: 17.

Recap: Defeated Katy Paetow, 54-0. Three games remaining in the regular season.

Next: Oct. 21 vs. Katy Cinco Ranch.

18. Longview, Texas (6-0)

Previous: 18.

Recap: Defeated Forney, 46-7.

Next: Friday vs. North Mesquite.

19. American Heritage, Plantation, Fla. (6-1)

Previous: 19.

Recap: Defeated Western (Davie), 42-18.

Next: Friday at Stranahan (Fort Lauderdale).

20. Lipscomb Academy, Nashville, Tenn. (7-0)

Previous: 20.

Recap: Defeated Knoxville Catholic, 42-0.

Next: Friday vs. PURE Academy (Memphis).

21. Archbishop Moeller, Cincinnati (8-0)

Previous: 21.

Recap: Defeated St. Ignatius (Cleveland), 25-10.

Next: Saturday vs. No. 24 St. Edward (Lakewood) to be played at Shea Stadium in nearby Norwood, Ohio.

22. Bergen Catholic, Oradell, N.J. (5-1)

Previous: 22.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Saturday at St. Joseph Regional (Montvale).

23. Mount Carmel, Chicago, (7-0)

Previous: 23.

Recap: Defeated St. Laurence (Burbank), 42-0.

Next: Friday vs. St. Viator (Arlington Heights, Ill.).

24. St. Edward, Lakewood, Ohio (7-1)

Previous: 24.

Recap: Defeated Clarkson Football North (Ontario, Canada), 35-18.

Next: Saturday at No. 21 Moeller (Cincinnati).

25. Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, N.J. (4-2)

Previous: 25.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday vs. Seton Hall Prep (West Orange).

Dropped: None.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (5-1)
2. Good Counsel, Olney, Md. (5-1)
3. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (4-1)
4. Catholic Memorial, West Roxbury, Mass. (4-0)
5. Coatesville, Pa. (6-0)

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. (7-0)
2. Archbishop Hoban, Akron, Ohio (8-0)
3. Belleville, Mich. (7-0)
4. Brownsburg, Ind. (8-0)
5. Lakota West, West Chester, Ohio (8-0)

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

Southland

1. Colquitt County, Norman Park, Ga. (6-0)
2. Mill Creek, Hoschton, Ga. (6-0)
3. Bixby, Okla. (6-0)
4. Columbus, Miami (7-0)
5. Bryant, Ark. (5-0)

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

Far West

1. Serra, San Mateo, Calif. (6-0)
2. Kahuku, Hawaii (7-2)
3. Folsom, Calif. (6-1)
4. Poly, Long Beach, Calif. (7-0)
5. Mission Viejo, Calif. (6-1)

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. 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 at the conclusion of the 2022 season. Follow him on Twitter at @clawlor.