BENSALEM, Pa. – There was no movement in the Blue Star Media Elite 25 Fall football rankings. No one lost so we move to the final weekend of September which the emergence of Texas large schools.

When the University Interscholastic League drew up the schedule over the summer, it called for a gradual rollout. The smaller schools would start have their traditional starts in late August or Labor Day Weekend. Now it’s time for Class 6A and 5A to tee it up and that begins this weekend.

Five schools from Texas and one from South Carolina, all Elite 25 teams, are primed to get their seasons underway: No. 1 North Shore (Galena Park), No. 3 Duncanville, No. 8 Katy, No. 12 Westlake (Austin), No. 14 Denton Guyer and No. 25 Dutch Fork (Irmo, S.C.) get this call this weekend.

With those six schools, that means 17 Elite 25 teams will be in action next weekend. And when they calendar flips to early October teams from Arizona and New Jersey will play. We’re still waiting on six schools from Florida, Missouri and Pennsylvania to get the OK and resume football. Four teams from the Top-10, No. 4 St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia), No. 6 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), No. 6 Central (Miami) and No. 10 Northwestern (Miami) have seen seasons delayed over COVID-19 novel coronavirus concerns. As soon as we hear anything regarding those situations we’ll let you know. Check back frequently because there are midweek updates to the Elite 25 Fall rankings.

We’re looking forward to this weekend when Texas and South Carolina are playing but the situation in south Florida is still dicey. Schools from Broward and Miami-Dade counties are playing games but in a limited capacity. No. 11 American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) is located in Broward County (near St. Thomas Aquinas) and opened the season last weekend, beating Chaminade-Madonna College Prep (Hollywood), 7-3.

There’s more news out of Colorado, where 218 schools opted to play football in the fall. Teams can start playing on Oct. 8. We’ll begin researching Colorado’s top teams for the Elite 25 and add them when the time is appropriate.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 Fall rankings return on Sept. 29.

Stay safe, mask up when possible, practice social distancing and support your local businesses that have taken major financial hits since March. We’re all in this together. Until next week, we hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Fall Rankings, Sept. 22, 2020

1. North Shore, Galena Park, Texas (0-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Recap: Idle. The Mustangs have a tough season opener against a defending state champion.

Next: Friday at Shadow Creek (Alvin).

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

Previous: 2.

Recap: Defeated Edgewater (Orlando), 48-7. RB Kaytron Allen ran for three touchdowns.

Next: Friday at Ravenwood (Brentwood, Tenn.).

3. Duncanville, Texas (0-0)

Previous: 3.

Recap: Idle. The Panthers had their game with Nolan Catholic (Fort Worth this weekend canceled by the coronavirus. The next big game is against No. 2 IMG Academy on Oct. 10.

Next: Oct. 2 at South Oak Cliff (Dallas).

4. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (0-0)

Previous: 4.

Recap: Idle. The Hawks plan to play an independent schedule in the aftermath of the Philadelphia Catholic League opting for spring ball. It was announced tis week Prep’s Tim Roken was named head coach of the East squad for the 2021 All-American Bowl to be played at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas in January. The annual all-star game pits the top senior players in an East vs. West format.

Next: TBA.

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

Previous: 5.

Recap: Idle. Broward County public schools won’t compete in the Florida state championships, but the Raiders (as a private school) are out to defend their FHSAA Class 7A title and opted to play.

Next: TBA.

6. Central, Miami (0-0)

Previous: 6.

Recap: Idle.

Next: TBA.

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

Previous: 7.

Recap: Defeated Collins Hill (Suwanee), 28-7. The Rams trailed 7-0 in the third quarter until RB Phil Mafah scored three consecutive TDs for a 21-7 lead. RB Joseph Taylor Jr. closed out the game with a 14-yard scoring run and rushed for 175 yards on 23 carries.

Next: Friday at Archer (Lawrenceville).

8. Katy, Texas (0-0)

Previous: 8.

Recap: Idle. Opening night this weekend for large-school UIL schools.

Next: Friday vs. Clear Springs (League City).

9. Chandler, Ariz. (0-0)

Previous: 9.

Recap: Idle. The Arizona Interscholastic Association allowed teams to resume practice Sept. 7, games commence Oct. 2 and the state championship games are Dec. 11 and 12.

Next: Oct. 2 at Liberty (Peoria).

10. Northwestern, Miami (0-0)

Previous: 10.

Recap: Idle. Miami-Dade County has not released schedules.

Next: TBA.

11. American Heritage, Plantation, Fla. (1-0)

Previous: 11.

Recap: Edged Chaminade-Madonna College Prep (Hollywood), 7-3. The Patriots eked out a win in a defensive battle. Last week, the Patriots notified Broward County they would be competing in the FHSAA state playoffs as a private school. Broward County public schools have opted out of the postseason.

Next: Friday at Clearwater.

12. Westlake, Austin, Texas (0-0)

Previous: 12.

Recap: Idle. The Chaps have a tricky road contest Saturday afternoon in Big D.

Next: Saturday at Highland Park (Dallas).

13. De Smet Jesuit, St. Louis (0-0)

Previous: 13.

Recap: Idle.

Next: TBA.

14. Denton (Texas) Guyer (0-0)

Previous: 14.

Recap: Idle. The road to the state final starts this weekend.

Next: Friday at Hebron (Carrollton).

15. St. Peter’s Prep, Jersey City, N.J. (0-0)

Previous: 15.

Recap: Idle. Earlier this month, coach Rich Hansen said step down after 33 seasons.

Next: Oct. 2 at West Orange.

16. Trinity. Louisville, Ky. (2-0)

Previous: 16.

Recap: Crushed Male (Louisville), 43-14. RB Bradley West rushed for two TDs and QB Nathan McElroy tossed a 49-yard TD pass to WR Armon Tucker in the third quarter. Jackson Schulz recovered a fumble in the end zone for a score late in the contest.

Next: Oct. 2 at St. Xavier (Louisville).

17. Corner Canyon, Draper, Utah (6-0)

Previous: 17.

Recap: Defeated previously unbeaten Pleasant Grove, 38-7. The game was tied at 7 in the second quarter when the Chargers peeled off 31 unanswered points. QB Jaxson Dart kept up his outrageous numbers with five TDs, including four in the air and 1-yard score in the first quarter. Dart fired three of his TDs to WR Noah Kjar. Dart has 27 TD passes in six games.

Next: Thursday at Lone Peak (Highland).

18. Pickerington (Ohio) Central (4-0)

Previous: 18.

Recap: Defeated Groveport Madison, 43-3, in an Ohio Capital Conference Buckeye Division showdown of unbeatens. RB Nick Mosley carried 21 times for 110 yards and four TDs and QB Garner Wallace hit on 7 of 10 passes for 110 yards and 50-yard scoring strike to Lorenzo Styles. The regular season is down to two games.

Next: Friday vs. Lancaster.

19. Lowndes County, Valdosta, Ga. (3-0)

Previous: 19.

Recap: Defeated Oakleaf (Orange Park, Fla.), 37-17. The Vikings jumped to a 31-0 lead and never looked back. RB Justin Lee rushed for three TDs and Tyler Belcher spurred the defense with two Interceptions. This weekend’s game is against the state’s No. 2 team in Class 6A.

Next: Friday vs. Lee County (Leesburg).

20. Owasso, Okla. (3-0)

Previous: 20.

Recap: Idle. The Rams had a bye last weekend.

Next: Friday vs. Union (Tulsa).

21. Bixby, Okla. (3-0)

Previous: 20.

Recap: Defeated Blanchard, 29-13.

Next: Friday vs. Bartlesville.

22. Bergen Catholic, Oradell, N.J. (0-0)

Previous: 22.

Recap: Idle. The Crusaders open with a bitter rival during a six-game regular season.

Next: Oct. 3 at St. Joseph Regional (Montvale).

23. Thompson, Alabaster, Ala. (5-0)

Previous: 23.

Recap: Defeated Hewitt-Trussville, 35-21, in a showdown of Alabama’s top two Class 6A teams. QB Conner Harrell completed 13 of 20 passes for 315 yards and four scores in the Region 3 game.

Next: Friday vs. Mountain Brook (Birmingham).

24. Center Grove, Greenwood, Ind. (5-0)

Previous: 24.

Recap: Defeated North Central (Indianapolis), 47-0. RB Carson Steele scored three TDs and became the school’s all-time leading rusher.

Next: Friday vs. Lawrence Central (Indianapolis).

25. Dutch Fork, Irmo, S.C. (0-0)

Previous: 25.

Recap: Idle. The folks in the Palmetto State cannot wait until teams put the toe to the leather.

Next: Friday vs. White Knoll (Lexington).

Dropped out: None.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Central Catholic, Pittsburgh (2-0)
2. Central Dauphin, Harrisburg, Pa. (0-0)
3. St. Joseph Regional, Montvale, N.J. (0-0)
4. Pine-Richland, Gibsonia, Pa. (2-0)
5. Williamstown, N.J. (0-0)

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

Midwest

1. Archbishop Hoban, Akron, Ohio (3-0)
2. Cathedral, Indianapolis (5-0)
3. Brownsburg, Ind. (5-0)
4. Century, Bismarck, N.D. (2-0)
5. Coffman, Dublin, Ohio (4-0)

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

Southland

1. Allen, Texas (0-0)
2. Hoover, Ala. (5-0)
3. Booker T. Washington, Miami (0-0)
4. Starkville, Miss. (3-0)
5. Archbishop Rummel. Metairie, La. (0-0)

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

Far West

1. Lone Peak, Highland, Utah (6-0)
2. Skyridge, Lehi, Utah (6-0)
3. Sahuaro, Scottsdale, Ariz. (0-0)
4. Hamilton, Chandler, Ariz. (0-0)
5. Coeur d’Alene, Idaho (2-0)

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

^ Will play season in Winter/Spring 2021

About: The Blue Star Media Elite 25 High School Football Rankings are released weekly from September until the conclusion of the high school season. For the 2020-2021 school year, there will be two separate rankings in the fall and winter/spring due to coronavirus concerns. 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 June 2021. Follow him on Twitter at @clawlor.