No. 1 St. John Bosco (CA) tops archrivals to move back atop Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings and within a win from CIF Open Division state title; No. 24 St. Joseph’s Prep (PA) moves in

BENSALEM, Pa. – St. John Bosco is back atop the Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings. The Braves started the year at No. 1 and are one win from winning a California Interscholastic Federation Open Division state championship.

The Braves (13-1) played with confidence last Friday and knocked off then-No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 24-22, in the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 final. They needed a defensive stop in the fourth quarter, clinging onto a two-point lead with 3:08 remaining and got it. A two-point conversion run was stuffed and the Braves held on for the nation’s toughest mountain to climb. Winning the Southern Section Division 1 title is that big a deal.

When the Braves were atop the Elite 25 rankings in early October, the Monarchs were No. 2 and the defending state champions. Mater Dei won that game 17-7, zooming to the top-ranked slot. That was a well-deserved victory before nearly 16,000 at the iconic Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

The game marked the final one for Mater Dei head coach Bruce Rollinson, who announced before the playoffs he was retiring. Rollinson, 73, completed his brilliant 34-year career at his alma mater with a 339-86-2 and eight sectional crowns.

Junior quarterback Elijah Brown suffered his first loss in three seasons, dropping to 29-1 entering his senior year for the Monarchs (12-1), who won the Trinity League but saw their 29-game winning skein vanquished.

By the way, the Braves led 14-13 at halftime because Mater Dei’s kicker misfired on an extra-point in the second quarter that would have knotted the score. It loomed large.

The Braves carried a 24-13 lead before the Mater Dei charged back. Suddenly, it was a two point game (24-22) and the Monarchs went for the tie but Bosco’s Vertonio Weatherton, 6 feet 2, 260-pound immoveable lineman, stopped running back Jordon Davison short of the goal line and the Braves held on.

The Braves leapfrogged No. 2 Westlake (Austin, Texas) for the time being. Bosco’s strength of schedule is the difference but winning the UIL Class 6A, Division I title would favor the Westlake Chaparrals.

There are three weekends left in the postseason and too much can occur to shake and reshape the Elite 25 rankings.

There is one addition to the Elite 25 rankings from commonwealth of Pennsylvania, No. 24 St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia) slides in after their 10th straight victory and a spot in the PIAA Class AAAAAA semifinals.

The Hawks, who won the Philadelphia Catholic League Red and District 12 titles, are regulars deep in the playoffs but last year fell in the state final. This is a year of redemption. They face Garnet Valley (Glen Mills, Pa.) this weekend in the semifinals. Prep’s lone loss was one on the road at No. 5 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 48-37, on Aug. 27.

 As for state champions, No. 20 Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) and No. 18 Mount Carmel (Chicago) won titles last weekend in convincing fashion. Mount Carmel has 14 state championships.

 Elsewhere, the prep career of heralded quarterback Arch Manning of Isidore Newman School (New Orleans) concluded during a 49-13 drubbing at University Lab (Baton Rouge, La.) in the LHSAA Division III select quarterfinals.

Arch Manning is considered the nation’s top prospect from the Class of 2023 and will sign with Texas in December. He will enroll in college for the spring semester in January to jumpstart his collegiate career under center. Manning’s father, Cooper, was a talented wide receiver for Mississippi before a medical issue halted his career. His uncles, Peyton and Eli, were pretty good signal callers with a pair of Super Bowl Rings while grandpa, Archie, quarterbacked the New Orleans Saints in the 1970s.

Arch Manning smashed every school passing record that were once held by his uncles in the 1990s.

Finally, if you were at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. on Friday night it was a historical night. Brothers Vito and Nick Campanile won New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association state championships.

In Non-Public B, younger brother Nick won his first state title as a head coach when DePaul Catholic (Wayne) defeated top-seeded Red Bank Catholic, 19-17. Last year, DePaul was the top seed during Nick’s first year at the helm but were upset by RBC. The Spartans returned the favor this season and will be in line for multiple states titles with a strong nucleus of young, talented FBS players returning.

A couple of hours later, Vito bagged his second straight Non-Public A crown when No. 20 Bergen Catholic (Oradell) dismantled previously ranked Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey), 45-0. Vito is the second Campanile brother to win at BC after his brother, Nunzio accomplished the task before departing to become an assistant at Rutgers.

BC beat DePaul, 35-7, on Sept. 30 in a Super Football Conference regular season game.

Congratulations to New Jersey’s first family of football.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings will return on Dec.6.

That means just one month remains and final three weekends should produce high drama and newly minted state champions.

If you are a hoophead, check out the Blue Star Media Elite 25 boys preseason rankings. For the next five months we’re spreading the news about the top teams and players as we do in girls volleyball and football. We’ll update the basketball rankings in December.

Until the next time, stay safe. We hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Football Rankings, Nov. 29, 2022

1. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (12-1)

Previous rank: 3.

Recap: Won the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 championship, upsending then-No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 24-22 in the final. The Braves stopped a potential game-tying two-point conversion with 3:08 left and went onto victory. QB Pierce Clarkson tossed three TD passes, including a 72-yarder to WR Deandre Moore.

Next: Dec. 10 vs. Serra (San Mateo) in CIF State Championship Bowl Open Division final at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo.

2. Westlake, Austin, Texas (13-0)

Previous: 2.

Recap: Defeated San Benito, 44-7, in Class 6A, Division I Region 4 semifinals. The Chaps won for the 53rd consecutive time.

Next: Saturday vs. San Antonio Brennan in Class 6A, Division I Region 4 final at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

3. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (12-1)

Previous: 1.

Recap: Lost to then-No. 3 St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 24-22, in CIF-Southern Section, Division 1 final. The loss snapped a 29-game win streak and capped the career of veteran head coach Bruce Rollinson, who stepped down after 34 seasons. Season complete.

4. North Shore, Galena Park, Texas (13-0)

Previous: 4.

Recap: Defeated Katy Cinco Ranch, 49-21, in Class 6A, Division I Region 3 semifinals.

Next: Friday vs. Atascocita (Humble) in Class 6A, Division Region 3 final at New Caney’s Randall Reed Stadium.

5. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (12-0)

Previous: 5.

Recap: Defeated Blanche Ely (Pompano Beach), 35-7, in Class 3M, Region 3 final.

Next: Friday vs. Jesuit (Tampa) in Class 3M semifinals.

6. Central, Miami (12-0)

Previous: 6.

Recap: Defeated Norland (Miami), 34-20, in Class 2M, Region 4 final.

Next: Friday vs. Lakewood (St. Petersburg, Fla.) in Class 2M semifinals.

7. Southlake (Texas) Carroll (13-0)

Previous: 7.

Recap: Rallied to defeat McKinney, 42-35, in Class 6A, Division II Region 1 semifinals. The Dragons were down 28-21 after three quarters before staging a comeback. RB Owen Allen rushed for four TDs.

Next: Saturday vs. No. 13 Denton Guyer in Class 6A, Division II Region 1 final at Justin’s Northwest ISD Stadium.

8. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (13-1)*

Previous: 8.

Recap: Won Class 5A state championship. It was the Gaels’ 12th Nevada state title in the last 13 terms. Season complete.

9. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (8-1)

Previous: 9.

Recap: Season complete. The Ascenders do not compete for a postseason championship.

10. Chaminade-Madonna College Prep, Hollywood, Fla. (11-0)

Previous: 10.

Recap: Defeated Cardinal Newman (West Palm Beach), 49-16, in Class 1M, Region 3 final.

Next: Friday vs. True North Classic Academy (Miami) in Class 1M semifinals.

11. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (8-1)

Previous: 11.

Recap: Season complete.

12. Duncanville, Texas (12-0)

Previous: 12.

Recap: Defeated The Woodlands (Conroe), 35-3, in Class 6A, Division I Region 1 semifinals.

Next: Saturday vs. Westfield (Spring) in Class 6A, Division I Region 1 final in Georgetown.

13. Denton (Texas) Guyer (13-0)

Previous: 13.

Recap: Defeated Byron Nelson (Trophy Club), 59-41, in Class 6A, Division II Region 1 semifinals. QB Jackson Arnold and RB Trey Joyner each rushed for three TDs.

Next: Saturday vs. No. 7 Southlake Carroll in Class 6A, Division II, Region 1 final.

14. Katy, Texas (13-0)

Previous: 14.

Recap: Defeated Summer Creek (Humble), 35-7, in Class 6A, Division II Region 3 semifinals

Next: Friday vs. C.E King (Houston) in Class 6A, Division II Region 3 final at Houston’s NRG Stadium.

15. Longview, Texas (13-0)

Previous: 15.

Recap: Defeated Port Arthur Memorial, 51-7, in Class 5A, Division I Region 2 semifinals.

Next: Friday vs. Mansfield Timberview in Class 5A, Division I Region 2 final at Memorial Stadium in Mesquite.

16. American Heritage, Plantation, Fla. (12-1)

Previous: 16.

Recap: Defeated Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale), 31-20, in Class 2M, Region 3 final. The Patriots beat a quality Broward County foe and are two wins from a state crown.

Next: Friday vs. Bolles School (Jacksonville) in Class 2M state semifinals.

17. Lipscomb Academy, Nashville, Tenn. (12-0)

Previous: 17.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Thursday vs. Christ Presbyterian Academy (Nashville) in Division II, Class AA final to be played University of Tennessee Chattanooga’s Finley Stadium.

18. Mount Carmel, Chicago, (13-0)*

Previous: 18.

Recap: Won Class 7A state championship, defeating Batavia, 44-20. Quarterback Blainey Dowling completed 25 of 40 passes for 262 yards and four TDs, including two each to JIMMY Deacy and Damarion Arrington. It was the Caravan’s 14th state title. Season complete.

19. St. Edward, Lakewood, Ohio (14-1)

Previous: 19.

Recap: Defeated Lincoln (Gahanna), 31-7, in Division 1 semifinals.

Next: Friday vs. Springfield in Division 1 final to be played at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.

20. Bergen Catholic, Oradell, N.J. (11-1)*

Previous: 21.

Recap: Won the Non-Public A state championship for the second straight season, defeating then-No. 20 Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey), 45-0. RB Saeed St. Fleur carried 14 times for 136 yards and two scores. The win avenged a regular season 31-7 loss to their archrivals in September. Season complete.

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

Previous: 22.

Recap: Defeated North Gwinnett (Suwanee), 52-17, in Class AAAAAAA quarterfinals. The Packers face an undefeated team in the penultimate playoff game.

Next: Friday vs. Carrollton in Class AAAAAAA semifinals.

22. Basha, Chandler, Arizona (10-1)

Previous: 23.

Recap: Defeated American Leadership Academy (Queen Creek), 31-25, in Arizona Open Division quarterfinals.

Next: Saturday vs. Chandler in Arizona Open Division semifinals.

23. Mill Creek, Hoschton, Ga. (12-1)

Previous: 25.

Recap: Defeated Westlake (Atlanta), 38-14, in Class AAAAAAA quarterfinals.

Next: Friday vs. Milton (Alpharetta) in Class AAAAAAA semifinals.

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

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Defeated Parkland (Allentown, Pa.), 52-21, in the PIAA Class AAAAAA quarterfinals. The Hawks enter the Elite 25 with a dominant performance as they led 49-6 in the second quarter.

Next: Saturday vs. Garnet Valley (Glen Mills) in PIAA Class AAAAAA semifinals to be played at the Northeast Super Site in Philadelphia.

25. Buford, Ga. (11-1)

Previous: 24.

Recap: Advanced to Class AAAAAAA second round and won Region 8-7A title. Season complete.

Dropped: No. 20 Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Archbishop Spalding, Severn, Md. (11-1)*
2. Catholic Memorial, West Roxbury, Mass. (11-0)
3. St. Anthony’s, Mehlville, N.Y. (11-1)*
4. Garnet Valley, Glen Mills, Pa. (13-0)
5. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (8-4)*

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. (14-0)*
2. Loyola Academy, Wilmette, Ill. (13-1)*
3. Archbishop Hoban, Akron, Ohio (14-1)
4. De La Salle Collegiate, Warren, Mich. (13-1)*
5. Kimberly, Wis. (13-1)*

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

Southland

1. Bryant, Ark. (11-0)
2. Destrehan, La. (12-0)
3. Columbus, Miami (12-1)
4. Lakeland, Fla. (12-0)
5. Bixby, Okla. (13-1)

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

Far West

1. Serra, San Mateo, Calif. (13-0)
2. Kahuku, Hawaii (12-2)*
3. Liberty, Peoria, Ariz. (11-0)
4. Folsom, Calif. (12-1)
5. Skyridge, Lehi, Utah (13-1)*

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

* Denotes a state or conference postseason champion

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.