BENSALEM, Pa. – The game of the year did not live up to the magnanimous billing. Actually it was one-sided and the nation’s No. 1 team remained the top dog for the time being.

Top-ranked St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) beat Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), 41-18, in a matchup of No. 1 vs. No. 3. The game was scheduled for last Friday but was pushed back a day when lightning lit up the southern California heavens, forcing numerous postponements. The Braves improved to 8-0 as star QB DJ Uiagalelei was just that and proved why he is the nation’s top-rated signal caller from the Class of 2020.

No. 3 Mater Dei, which dipped one spot in the Elite 25, fell behind early, trailing 27-10 at the break, and did not recover. There is a strong chance the two will meet again in the CIF-Southern Section Division I playoffs. Expect that postseason tilt to be much closer on scoreboard.

Elsewhere, two teams from power states were added to the Elite 25: No. 21 Converse (Texas) Judson and No. 23 JSerra (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.).

The Judson Rockets are one of the Top 3 three teams in Texas Class 6A and playing an exciting brand of football. JSerra is the third member from the Trinity League, considered one of the nation’s top conferences. This weekend JSerra Lions host No. 3 Mater Dei in a league face-off.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings will return on October 23.

Keep those affected by the ravages of Hurricane Michael in your thoughts and prayers. Our loyal Super 25 readers are the best!

There are plenty of games in your area so get out and support your local teams. The playoffs start this weekend in Indiana while Alaska finishes up with the large-school final in Anchorage. The remainder of the Midwest will follow suit in the next two weeks and before you know it the entire nation will be playing one-and-done ball.

Hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Football Rankings, Oct. 16, 2018

1. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (8-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Recap: Defeated then-No. 2 Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 41-18. Junior QB DJ Uiagalelei threw for 268 yards and hit on four of his five touchdown passes in the opening half. The Braves move on for another Trinity League tussle this weekend.

Next: Friday at Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita).

2. Allen, Texas (6-0)

Previous: 3.

Recap: Defeated Plano East (Plano), 74-36.

Next: Friday vs. Dallas Jesuit.

3. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (6-2) #

Previous: 2.

Recap: Lost to No. 1 St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 41-18. Junior QB Bryce Young threw for 311 yards and two TDs as the Monarchs’ win streak was halted at 22 games, dating back to the 2016 season.

Next: Friday at No. 23 JSerra (San Juan Capistrano).

4. Carol City, Miami Gardens, Fla. (7-0)

Previous: 4.

Recap: Defeated Northwestern (Miami), 28-7.

Next: Thursday vs. Booker T. Washington (Miami).

5. Colquitt County, Norman Park, Ga. (7-0)

Previous: 5.

Recap: The Region 1-AAAAAAA opener was pushed back a week by Hurricane Michael.

Next: Friday vs. Camden County (Kingsland).

6. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (8-0)

Previous: 6.

Recap: Defeated Good Counsel (Olney, Md.), 31-10. The Cadets scored 14 points in the third quarter to break a 10-all tie.

Next: Oct. 26 at DeMatha (Hyattsville).

7. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (8-0)

Previous: 7.

Recap: Defeated Foothill (Pleasanton), 55-10. Junior Shamar Garrett ran for two TDs, passed for on a halfback option and added a pick-six.

Next: Friday at San Ramon Valley (Danville).

8. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (8-0)

Previous: 9.

Recap: Defeated Norco, 28-0.

Next: Friday vs. King (Riverside).

9. Warren Central, Indianapolis (9-0)

Previous: 10.

Recap: Defeated Bowling Green (Ky.), 62-7.

Next: Friday at Ben Davis (Indianapolis) in Class 6A Sectional 6 semifinals.

10. Central, Miami (7-1)

Previous: 11.

Recap: Defeated Hialeah-Miami Lakes, 55-0.

Next: Friday at Northwestern (Miami).

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

Previous: 12.

Recap: Defeated Canada Prep Football (St. Catharines, Ontario), 55-0.

Next: Friday at St. Thomas More (Oakdale, Conn.).

12. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (5-1)

Previous: 13.

Recap: Defeated Superior Collegiate (Clearwater, Fla.), 49-0.

Next: Friday vs. Middletown (Del.).

13. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (6-1)

Previous: 14.

Recap: Defeated Fort Lauderdale, 49-0. The Raiders recorded their fourth shutout of the season.

Next: Friday vs. Boyd Anderson (Lauderdale Lakes).

14. Rome, Ga. (7-0)

Previous: 15.

Recap: Defeated Paulding County (Dallas), 68-7.

Next: Friday at Hiram.

15. Saint Louis, Honolulu (8-0)

Previous: 16.

Recap: Defeated Kamehameha School (Honolulu), 42-7, as QB Jayden de Laura hit on 15 of 18 passes for 275 yards and three TDs.

Next: Oct. 26 or 27 in ILH championship game.

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

Previous: 17.

Recap: Defeated Deer Park, 75-13.

Next: Friday at Sterling (Baytown).

17. Dutch Fork, Irmo, S.C. (7-0)

Previous: 18.

Recap: Defeated Lexington, 51-7. QB Tyler Olenchuk tossed three TDs and accounted for 348 of his team’s 635 total yards. WR Jalin Hyatt had nine receptions for 125 yards and two scores.

Next: Friday vs. Chapin.

18. Colerain, Cincinnati (8-0)

Previous: 19.

Recap: Defeated Lakota East (Liberty Township), 42-0. The Cardinals exploded for 28 points in the first quarter. Jakari Patterson returned a punt 100 yards for a score in the third.

Next: Friday vs. Fairfield.

19. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (5-0)

Previous: 25.

Recap: Defeated Archbishop Wood (Warminster, Pa.), 49-14. The Hawks are Pennsylvania’s top-ranked Class AAAAAA team.

Next: Saturday vs. Father Judge (Philadelphia).

20. Bergen Catholic, Oradell, N.J. (6-1)

Previous: 20.

Recap: Defeated Pope John XXIII Sparta), 14-6. Two games remain the regular season.

Next: Saturday vs. Paramus Catholic.

21. Converse (Texas) Judson (5-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Defeated New Braunfels, 37-11.

Next: Friday at Smithson Valley (Spring Branch).

22. Oaks Christian School, Westlake Village, Calif. (8-0)

Previous: 23.

Recap: Defeated St. Bonaventure (Ventura), 44-0.

Next: Friday at Calabasas.

23. JSerra, San Juan Capistrano, Calif. (7-1)

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Defeated Orange (Calif.) Lutheran, 56-21. The Lions have another huge test in the Trinity League.

Next: Friday vs. No. 3 Mater Dei (Santa Ana).

24. Centennial, Peoria, Ariz. (8-0)

Previous: 24.

Recap: Blanked Ironwood (Glendale), 42-0. The Coyotes have allowed only 29 points in the last seven games.

Next:  Friday vs. Raymond S. Kellis (Glendale).

25. Chandler, Ariz. (7-1)

Previous: 25.

Recap: Defeated Basha (Chandler), 62-14.

Next: Friday vs. Tucson.

Dropped: No. 8 Lake Travis (Texas) and No. 22 Mentor (Ohio).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Coatesville, Pa. (8-0)
2. DePaul Catholic, Wayne, N.J. (6-1)
3. Oscar Smith, Chesapeake, Va. (7-0)
4. Pine-Richland, Gibsonia, Pa. (7-1)
5. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (5-1)

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 (8-0)
2. Cass Tech, Detroit (8-0)
3. Lincoln-Way East, Frankfort, Ill. (8-0)
4. Canton (Ohio) McKinley (9-0)
5. Burke, Omaha, Neb. (8-0)

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

Southland

1. John Curtis Christian, River Ridge, La. (7-0)
2. Broken Arrow, Okla. (7-0)
3. Trinity Christian Academy, Jacksonville, Fla. (8-0)
4. Mallard Creek, Charlotte, N.C. (6-0)
5. Walton, Marietta, Ga. (7-0)

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

Far West

1. Folsom, Calif. (7-1)
2. Mission Viejo, Calif. (4-4) &
3. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (4-3)
4. Valor Christian, Highlands Ranch, Colo. (8-0)
5. Eastside Catholic, Sammamish, Wash. (6-1)

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

# Includes a forfeit loss

 & Includes four forfeit losses

About: The Blue Star Media Elite 25 High School Football Rankings are released weekly from September 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 in late December. Follow him on Twitter at #clawlor.