No. 14 Colquitt (GA), No. 25 Lake Travis (TX) enter Blue Star Media 25 Fall football rankings; QB Jaxson Dart of No. 6 Corner Canyon equals Utah passing record

BENSALEM, Pa. – There has not been frequent shakeups in the Blue Star Media Elite 25 Fall football rankings but this week is different. Two teams from the Southland Region lost and therefore were dropped.

That also opened the door for two teams from the same region to slide into the Elite 25 Fall rankings. No. 14 Colquitt County (Norman Park, Ga.) made the biggest splash of the weekend after wiping out then-No. 14 Lowndes County (Valdosta), 40-10, in a significant Class AAAAAAA, Region 1 game from southern Georgia. The Packers led the whole way and that ousted the Vikings, who were the top-ranked large classification team from the Peach State.

No. 25 Lake Travis (Austin, Texas) is another program that has frequented the Elite 25 and is one of the nation’s top high schools for producing college-level quarterbacks. Head coach Hank Carter is the caretaker of the Cavaliers and he’s developed some of the top QBs, including Baker Mayfield (Browns) and Garrett Gilbert (Cowboys). We’ll find out how good the Cavaliers are later this month when they face No. 7 Westlake (Austin) in a Thanksgiving Weekend showdown.

Well two programs, No. 8 St. Peter’s Prep (Jersey City, N.J.) and No. 11 Trinity (Louisville, Ky.) were shut down for two weeks due to the COVID-19 coronavirus. St. Peter’s was supposed to play No. 20 Bergen Catholic (Oradell) in New Jersey’s Game of the Year on Saturday but that was canceled. St. Peter’s won’t play in the two additional games they were given by the state in lieu of no playoffs. Trinity won’t play again until Nov. 20 when the Kentucky Class 6A playoffs start. The Shamrocks are the defending state champions.

This week the top-4 teams remained the same while 18 teams slide up one position while No. 13 Thompson (Alabaster, Ala.) jumped two spots. Several states are playing postseason games that includes Elite 25 Fall teams from Pennsylvania, Missouri, Alabama, Florida, South Carolina Ohio, Indiana, Oklahoma and Utah. Kentucky starts on Nov. 19.

No. 12 Pickerington Central looks to make it two straight Division I titles in Ohio this weekend. No. 6 Corner Canyon (Draper, Utah) plays a semifinal game in Utah Class 6A on Thursday.

With the pandemic spiking in some areas, games are subject to change and in some instances teams are forfeiting playoff game over positive COVID-19 tests within their ranks.

That’ll do it for this week.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 Fall rankings return on Nov. 17.

Remember to stay safe, mask up, practice social distancing, purchase your tickets in advance from your local schools and support the small businesses that have taken major financial hits since March. Also Wednesday is Veterans Day, please thank all those who served in the United States Armed Forces. They deserve to be recognized.

There is still time to attend a game in your area but call ahead regarding ticket availability.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Fall football rankings, Nov. 10, 2020

1. North Shore, Galena Park, Texas (7-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Recap: Defeated Kingwood, 63-6.

Next: Friday vs. Summer Creek (Humble).

2. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (7-0)

Previous: 2.

Recap: Idle.

Next: TBD.

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

Previous: 3.

Recap: Throttled Roman Catholic (Philadelphia), 42-0. WR Marvin Harrison Jr. concluded the game with a Philadelphia Catholic League record 2,467 career receiving yards. This was another dominant defensive effort from the Hawks, who have allowed six point in their last two games. The Hawks go straight to the PIAA semifinals but have off two weeks.

Next: Nov. 20 vs. PIAA District 1 champion Pennridge (Perkasie) or Souderton in the Class AAAAAA semifinals.

4. Grayson, Loganville, Ga. (8-0)

Previous: 4.

Recap: Defeated Brookfield (Snellville), 58-17. RB Phil Mafah scored four TDs.

Next: Friday vs. Newton (Covington).

5. Chandler, Ariz. (5-0)

Previous: 6.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday vs, Highland (Gilbert).

6. Corner Canyon, Draper, Utah (12-0)

Previous: 7.

Recap: Crushed Bingham (Jordan), 57-22, in the Class 6A quarterfinals. QB Jaxson Dart did it again, throwing for five TDs, including three to WR Talmage Handley. Dart tied single-season state record with 58 TDs passes. The Chargers carry a 38-game win streak into this weekend’s semifinal game.

Next: Thursday vs. East (Salt Lake City) in the 6A semifinals.

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

Previous: 8.

Recap: Defeated Akins (Austin), 48-0. The Chaps have four shutouts this season and have allowed only 13 points in six outings.

Next: Friday at Bowie (Austin).

8. St. Peter’s Prep, Jersey City, N.J. (4-0)

Previous: 9.

Recap: The game then-No. 21 Bergen Catholic (Oradell) was canceled over coronavirus concerns. The Marauders will shut down for two weeks and might still close out the season on Thanksgiving. The team’s two added games with Pope John XXIII (Sparta) and Delbarton (Morristown) in lieu of no state playoffs were also spiked.

Next: Nov. 26 vs. Seton Hall Prep (West Orange).

9. Duncanville, Texas (4-1)

Previous: 10.

Recap: Defeated Midway (Waco), 74-21. This one was over quickly as the Panthers scored 42 unanswered points in the first quarter. QB Grayson James completed 13-of-15 passes for 266 yards and three scores.

Next: Friday vs. Cedar Hill.

10. De Smet Jesuit, St. Louis (4-0)

Previous: 11.

Recap: Defeated Christian Brothers College (St. Louis), 54-21, in the Class 6, District 2 semifinals. RB Taj Butts rushed for four TDs from 12, 25, 23 and 23 yards. After a scoreless first quarter the Spartans carried a 21-7 lead into halftime. Butts scored two TDs in the third and the Spartans never looked back for their 18^th straight win.

Next: Friday vs. Francis Howell (St. Charles, Mo.) in Class 6, District 2 final

11. Trinity. Louisville, Ky. (6-0)

Previous: 12.

Recap: Last weekend’s game with North Laurel (London) was canceled over COVID-19 concerns. Trinity was told to quarantine for two weeks and practice could resume on Nov. 12.

Next: Nov. 20 vs. Marshall County (Benton) in Class 6A first round.

12. Pickerington (Ohio) Central (11-0)

Previous: 13.

Recap: Defeated Mentor, 38-31, in the Division I semifinals. The Tigers reach the state final after grabbing leads of 14-0 after one quarter and 28-24 heading into the fourth.

Next: Friday vs. St. Xavier (Cincinnati) in Division I final at The Fortress in Obetz.

13. Thompson, Alabaster, Ala. (11-0)

Previous: 15.

Recap: Grissom (Huntsville), 49-7, in the Class 7A first round. The Warriors scored 21 points in the first quarter and 28 more in the second.

Next: Friday vs. Hewitt-Trussville in the 7A second round.

14. Colquitt County, Norman Park, Ga. (6-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Crushed then-No. 14 Lowndes County (Valdosta, Ga.), 40-10. The Packers were up 14-3 after one frame and then 24-3 at halftime.

Next: Friday at Tift County (Tifton, Ga.).

15. Owasso, Okla. (8-0)

Previous: 16.

Recap: Shut out Putnam City (Oklahoma City), 28-0.

Next: Friday vs. Edmond Memorial in Class 6A-I first round.

16. Bixby, Okla. (8-0)

Previous: 17.

Recap: Defeated Booker T. Washington (Tulsa), 70-21. Junior Braylin Presley scored five TDs for the Spartans, who now for their third straight state championship. The Spartans earned a first-round bye.

Next: Nov. 20 vs. TBD in Division 6A-II playoffs.

17. Northwestern, Miami (2-1)

Previous: 18.

Recap: Defeated Palmetto (Miami), 17-7.

Next: Friday at Key West in Class 5A, Region 4 playoffs.

18. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (3-1)

Previous: 19.

Recap: The theme of the game was defense as the Raiders forced four turnovers, three that went for TDs in a 33-23 victory over American Heritage (Plantation) in the regular season finale. Christian Gonzalez recovered a fumble in the end zone; Kylan Stephens had a 65-yard pick-six and Derrien Craig added a scoop-and-score in the fourth quarter.

Next: Nov. 20 vs. Sarasota or Lehigh (Lehigh Acres) in Class 7A, Region 4 quarterfinals.

19. Central, Miami (2-1)

Previous: 20.

Recap: Claimed a forfeit win over Immokalee in Class 6A, Region 4 play-in game due to coronavirus concerns.

Next: Friday vs. Archbishop McCarthy (Fort Lauderdale) in the 6A, Region 4 quarterfinals.

20. Bergen Catholic, Oradell, N.J. (4-0)

Previous: 21.

Recap: Idle. Game with No. 9 St. Peter’s Prep (Jersey City) was canceled 24 hours before kickoff over coronavirus concerns. The Crusaders will play two Super Football Conference game in lieu of no New Jersey playoffs.

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

21. Center Grove, Greenwood, Ind. (11-0)

Previous: 22.

Recap: Defeated Columbus East, 55-7, in Class 6A, Sectional 8 final.

Next: Friday vs. Warren Central (Indianapolis) in 6A Regional championship.

22. Dutch Fork, Irmo, S.C. (6-0)

Previous: 23.

Recap: Idle. The four-time state champions are going for their fifth straight crown.

Next: Friday vs. Summerville in Class AAAAA first round.

23. Archbishop Hoban, Akron, Ohio (9-0)

Previous: 24.

Recap: Defeated Hudson, 31-17, in the Division II, Region 5 final. The Knights won their fifth regional title in six years. Sophomore RB Lamar Sperling ran for 119 yards and three TDs on 20 carries. Charlie Durkin’s 21-yard field goal gave the Knights their first lead at 17-14.

Next: Friday vs. Avon in Division II semifinals.

24. Allen, Texas (4-0)

Previous: 25.

Recap: Defeated Little Elm, 68-44. QB General Booty accounted for four scores, two in the air and two rushing.

Next: Friday vs. Denton Guyer.

25. Lake Travis, Austin, Texas (5-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Routed Bowie (Austin), 52-2. Two games remain in the regular season for the Cavaliers.

Next: Nov. 20 vs. Akins (Austin).

Dropped out: No. 5 Katy (Texas) and No. 14 Lowndes County (Valdosta, Ga.).

 High-Fives by Region

East

1. Pine-Richland, Gibsonia, Pa. (8-0)
2. Central Catholic, Pittsburgh (6-2)
3. St. Joseph Regional, Montvale, N.J. (3-2)
4. Lenape, Medford, N.J. (4-0)
5. McDowell, Erie, 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. Cathedral, Indianapolis (10-1)
2. Belleville, Mich. (8-0)
3. Westside, Omaha, Neb. (10-0)
4. Century, Bismarck, N.D. (9-0)
5. Muskego, Wis. (7-0)

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

Southland

1. Acadiana, Lafayette, La. (5-0)…N20
2. Bryant, Ark. (9-0)
3. Oakland, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (11-0)
4. Lowndes County, Valdosta, Ga. (6-1)
5. American Heritage, Plantation, Fla. (5-2)

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

Far West

1. Hamilton, Chandler, Ariz. (5-0)
2. Saguaro, Scottsdale, Ariz. (3-1)
3. Coeur d’Alene, Idaho (8-0)
4. Lone Peak, Highland, Utah (11-1)
5. Cherry Creek, Greenwood Village, Colo. (5-0)

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.