No. 1 St. John Bosco (CA), No. 3 Mater Dei (CA) take care of business in CIF-Southern Sectional Division 1 playoff openers; no movement in Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings

BENSALEM, Pa. – It was another week of no movement or losses from the Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings.

With 24 teams involved in the playoffs, No. 4 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) does not play for a state championship, something’s gotta give as we head into the late November.

Things will change this weekend that is assured. IMG closes out the regular season and No. 20  Corner Canyon (Draper, Utah) plays for the Utah Class 6A state championship Friday on the campus of the University of Utah.

In California, the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 semifinals has four Elite 25 team facing off on Friday too.

The matchups are No. 1 St. John Bosco (Bellflower) hosting No. 25 Corona Centennial and No. 3 Mater Dei (Santa Ana) entertaining No. 16 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth). We’d be surprised if Trinity League archrivals Mater Dei and St. John Bosco don’t meet for a second time this season. Bosco won the first meeting 28-0 and the title game is Nov. 24 in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum at 7 p.m. PT. The game will be televised live on Bally Sports SoCal.

No. 2 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) goes for another Nevada state championship on Nov. 21 against Liberty (Henderson) in Class 5A, Division 1 final at Allegiant Stadium. After that the state finals will come fast and furious.

Finally, the awards season—think Heisman Trophy—is upon us. The Butkus Foundation has named 12 of the nation’s top high school linebackers as Butkus Award® semifinalists for the 2023 season.
The Butkus Award winner will be honored on Jan. 27, 2024, at the Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage, Calif. The event will honor the legacy of namesake Dick Butkus and be supported by numerous noted NFL Alumni.

The semifinalist selections:

Sammy Brown, Jefferson, Ga.; Aaron Chiles, Good Counsel (Olney, Md.); Chris Cole, Salem, Va.; Cayden Jones, Christ School (Arden, N.C.); Kris Jones, Fairfax, Va.; Payton Pierce, Allen, Lovejoy (Lucas, Texas); Brayden Platt, Yelm, Wash.; Demarcus Riddick, Chilton County (Clanton, Ala.);Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.); Derek Weisskopf, Williamsburg, Iowa; Justin Williams, Oak Ridge (Conroe, Texas) and Bodie Kahoun, Patrick Henry (Roanoke, Va.).

Best to all the semifinalists moving forward.

Well, that’s it for another November week. Hard to believe but the season is over in a month.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings return on Nov. 21.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Football Rankings, Nov. 14, 2023

1. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (10-1)

Previous rank: 1.

Recap: Defeated San Clemente, 35-10, in the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 quarterfinals. The Braves were down 10-0 in the second quarter before rallying to score the next five touchdowns.

Next: Friday vs. No. 25 Corona Centennial in CIF-Southern Section Division 1 semifinals.

2. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (11-0)^

Previous: 2.

Recap: Idle. The state championship hardware will have to wait.

Next: Nov. 21 vs. Liberty (Henderson) in Class 5A, Division 1 final at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

3. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (10-1)

Previous: 3.

Recap: Defeated JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano), 38-7, in CIF-Southern Section Division 1 quarterfinals.

Next: Friday vs. No. 16 Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth) in CIF-Southern Section Division 1 semifinals.

4. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (8-0)

Previous: 4.

Recap: Idle. Th Ascenders close out the season this weekend in Florida.

Next: Friday vs. St. Frances Academy (Baltimore).

5. Chaminade-Madonna College Prep, Hollywood, Fla. (10-0)

Previous: 5.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday vs. Avant Garde Academy (Hollywood) in Class 1M, Region 3 semifinals.

6. Mill Creek, Hoschton, Ga. (11-0)

Previous: 6.

Recap: Defeated Osborne (Marietta), 42-17, in Class AAAAAAA first round.

Next: Friday vs. Peachtree Ridge (Suwanee) in Class AAAAAAA second round.

7. DeSoto, Texas (10-0)

Previous: 7.

Recap: Defeated Harker Heights (Killeen), 50-10, in Class 6A, Division II bi-district playoff game.

Next: Friday vs. Wylie East in Class 6A, Division II Area playoff game to be played at Choctaw Stadium in Arlington.

8. North Shore, Galena Park, Texas (11-0)

Previous: 8.

Recap: Defeated Deer Park, 42-14, in Class 6A, Division I bi-district playoff game.

Next: Friday vs. Clear Springs in Class 6A, Division I Area playoff game.

9. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (10-1)

Previous: 9.

Recap: Defeated Plantation, 63-0, in Class 3M, Region 3 first round.

Next: Friday vs. Blanche Ely (Pompano Beach) in Class 3M, Region 3 semifinals.

10. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (9-1)

Previous: 10.

Recap: Defeated La Salle College High (Wyndmoor, Pa.), 35-7, in Class AAAAAA, District 12 Philadelphia Catholic League final. The Hawks led 28-7 after one quarter.

Next: Saturday vs. Abraham Lincoln (Philadelphia) in PIAA District 12 Class AAAAAA final

11. Buford, Ga. (10-1)

Previous: 11.

Recap: Defeated Wheeler (Marietta), 50-0, in Class AAAAAAA first round.

Next: Friday vs. Norcross in Class AAAAAAA second round.

12. Westlake, Austin, Texas (11-0)

Previous: 12.

Recap: Defeated Round Rock, 35-3, in Class 6A, Division I bi-district playoff game.

Next: Friday vs. San Antonio Reagan in Class 6A, Division I Area playoff game to be played at Matador Stadium in Seguin.

13. Colquitt County, Norman Park, Ga. (11-0)

Previous: 13.

Recap: Defeated Parkview (Lilburn), 51-25, in Class AAAAAAA first round.

Next: Friday vs. Westlake (Atlanta) in Class AAAAAAA second round.

14. Duncanville, Texas (9-1)

Previous: 14.

Recap: Defeated Hutto, 56-7, in Class 6A, Division I bi-district playoff game.

Next: Friday vs. Rockwall Heath in Class 6A, Area playoff game to be played at McKinney’s ISD Stadium.

15. Walton, Marietta, Ga. (11-0)

Previous: 15.

Recap: Defeated Mountain View (Lawrenceville), 66-7, in Class AAAAAAA first round.

Next: Friday vs. North Gwinnett (Suwanee) in Class AAAAAAA second round.

16. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (11-0)

Previous: 16.

Recap: Defeated Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita), 37-20, in CIF-Southern Section Division 1 quarterfinals.

Next: Friday at No. 3 Mater Dei (Santa Ana) in CIF-Southern Section Division 1 semifinals.

17. Bixby, Okla. (10-0)

Previous: 17.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday vs. Norman in Class 6A-I quarterfinals.

18. Cherry Creek, Greenwood Village, Colo. (11-0)

Previous: 18.

Recap: Defeated Legacy (Broomfield), 31-7, in Class 5A second round.

Next: Friday vs. Mountain Vista (Highlands Ranch) in Class 5A quarterfinals.

19. American Heritage, Plantation, Fla. (8-1)

Previous: 19.

Recap: Defeated North Broward Prep (Coconut Creek), 63-13, in Class 2M, Region 3 quarterfinals.

Next: Friday vs. King’s Academy (West Palm Beach) in Class 2M, Region 3 semifinals.

20. Corner Canyon, Draper, Utah (12-1)

Previous: 20.

Recap: Defeated Lehi, 63-24, in Class 6A semifinals. RB Bryton Brady scored seven TDs, including the first four when the Chargers led 28-0. The Chargers are back in the state final for the sixth straight year.

Next: Friday vs. Skyridge (Lehi) in Class 6A final to be played at the University of Utah’s Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.

21. Norland, Miami (11-0)

Previous: 21.

Recap: Defeated St. Brendan (Miami), 55-0, in Class 2M, Region 4 quarterfinals.

Next: Friday vs. Monsignor Pace (Miami) in Region 4 semifinals.

22. Massillon (Ohio) Washington (13-0)

Previous: 22.

Recap: Defeated Lake (Uniontown), 35-7, in Division II, Region 7 semifinals.

Next: Friday vs. Green in Region 7 final.

23. St. Edward, Lakewood, Ohio (12-1)

Previous: 23.

Recap: Defeated Canton McKinley, 41-17, in Division I Region 1 semifinals.

Next: Friday vs. Medina in Region 1 final.

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

Previous: 24.

Recap: Defeated Paul VI (Haddonfield), 35-0, in NJSIAA Non-Public A quarterfinals. Junior QB Dom Campanile threw five TD passes, including three of 34, 38 and 35 yards to Quincy Porter.

Next: Saturday vs. Donovan Catholic (Toms River) in Non-Public A semifinals.

25. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (9-2)

Previous: 25.

Recap: Defeated Orange Lutheran, 63-39, in CIF-Southern Section Division 1 quarterfinals.

Next: Friday at No. 1 St. John Bosco (Bellflower) in CIF-Southern Section Division 1 semifinals.

Dropped: None.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Imhotep Institute Prep, Philadelphia (11-0)
2. Freedom, Woodbridge, Va. (1–0)
3. Central Bucks West, Doylestown, Pa. (12-0)
4. Good Counsel, Olney, Md. (9-1)
5. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (9-1)

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

Midwest

1. Belleville, Mich. (12-0)
2. Loyola Academy, Wilmette, Ill. (12-0)
3. Mount Carmel, Chicago (11-1)
4. Lincoln-Way East, Frankfort, Ill. (12-0)
5. Archbishop Hoban, Akron, Ohio (11-1)

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

Southland

1. Central, Miami (7-3)
2. Gainesville, Ga. (11-0)
3. Grimsley, Greensboro, N.C. (12-0)
4. Clay-Chalkville, Pinson, Ala. (10-0)
5. Destrehan, La. (10-0)

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

Far West

1. Serra, San Mateo, Calif. (11-0)
2. Lincoln, San Diego (11-0)
3. O’Dea, Seattle (10-0)
4. Liberty, Peoria, Ariz. (9-1)
5. Mililani, Hawaii (10-1)

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

^ Includes forfeit victories

Records are through Sunday’s games.

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. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @clawlor.