No. 23 Duncanville Panthers (TX) return to Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings; schools from Oklahoma, Illinois, Arizona and Alabama win state titles

BENSALEM, Pa. – What begins in earnest during the heat of August and carries into the holiday season and chill of December is down to the penultimate weekend.

And the Blue Star Elite 25 football rankings have a long way to go. Yes, the power states of California, Florida, Georgia and Texas will determine who is No. 1. Call it saving the best for last.

We’ll get right to it with No. 23 Duncanville (Texas) rejoining the Elite 25 after peeling off 10 straight wins following a loss in September. The Panthers are back in the University Interscholastic League semifinals for the eighth consecutive season after topping Waxahachie, 35-37, in the Class 6A, Division I, Region II final. It avenged a regular season loss to their District 11-6A rivals.

Otherwise, there was no movement in the Elite 25 with 24 teams static and Duncanville moving in. Last week there were four state or conference postseason champions and this time we check in with eight title holders with two weeks remaining. This weekend, five from the Elite 25 from California and Florida are vying for state crowns. Remember, the week before Christmas only Georgia and Texas have games and after that it’s into long offseason.

We’ll take a look at this week’s impactful games—all with postseason implications in California, Louisiana and Florida.

The Florida High School Athletic Association it’s seven class championship games in four days, Wednesday through Saturday, at South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium in Miami. Here’s what you need to know, including matchups, streaming, tickets, times and dates.

The three games involving Elite 25 teams are: Thursday, No. 24 Chaminade-Madonna College Prep (Hollywood) vs. Cardinal Newman (West Palm Beach) in Class 1A, 12:30 p.m. ET and No. 9 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) vs. Lakeland in Class 5A, 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, No. 11 Northwestern (Miami) vs. Raines (Jacksonville) in Class 3A, 7:30 p.m.

In the Crescent City or New Orleans, it’s eight games in three days (Thursday through Saturday) inside the Caesars Superdome on Bourbon Street. However, the final game on the docket features No. 21 Edna Karr (New Orleans) facing crosstown rivals St. Augustine (New Orleans) for the LHSAA Division 1 Select crown on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. CT.

Shift to the California Interscholastic Federation Championship Bowl Games on Friday and Saturday at three venues in Orange County or Southern California. It’s 14 games with the largest division games at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo. However, it’s the Open Division final between No. 7 Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita) and No. 15 De La Salle (Concord) on Saturday at 8 p.m. PT.

Wait, there’s more from the Lone Star State.

In Texas, it’s the semifinals and top-ranked Southlake Carroll plays DeSoto (11-3) on Saturday in the Class 6A, Division II at Mansfield’s Vernon Newsom Stadium. The winner gets Austin Vandegrift or King (Houston) in the final. Also, unbeaten Aledo meets Frisco Lone Star 6:30 p.m. CT on Friday at Baylor University’s McLane Stadium in Waco. The winner plays Port Arthur Memorial or Smithson Valley (Spring Branch).

Elsewhere, we mentioned four teams bagged state championship hardware over the week. No. 22 Basha (Chandler, Ariz.) beat crosstown rivals Hamilton, 34-7, in the Arizona Open Division final in Tempe. It was the first time since 2020 two Chandler Unified School District programs played for the Open Division title. Chandler won it that year.

No. 11 Bixby (Oklahoma) secured its eighth straight state title overall and fourth consecutive championship in Class 6A-I in topping Owasso, 31-17. The Spartans have won 11 titles in 12 seasons. No. 13. Clay-Chalkville (Pinson, Ala.) completed a perfect season in winning the Class 6A title and No. 14 Mount Carmel (Chicago) took home the Illinois Class 8A silverware in a20-3 decision over Oswego. The Caravan have accumulated 17 state titles and fourth straight in program history and 2026 might even be better.

In Fort Collins, Colo., regionally ranked Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village) won the Class 5A state championship for the sixth time in seven years in a 56-28 victory over Ralston Valley (Arvada). It was coach Dave Logan’s state-record 13^thcareer title. Logan, who played for the Denver Broncos and is their radio analyst, piloted the Bruins to their 15^th overall Colorado state crown.

Quarterback Brady Vodicka, a Louisiana Tech recruit, threw for 291 yards and four touchdowns, earning Most Outstanding Player. His teammate, UCLA-signee running back Jayden Fox ran for 149 yards and three TDs, finishing with 25 six-pointers for the fall. The Bruins led 21-0 in the first quarter during the clash of the unbeatens.

Kudos, coach and the rest of the Bruins!

Finally, the three finalists for the Gatorade National Football Player of the Year Award were announced last week. This award combines athletics, academics and community/extracurriculars as its criteria and the winner needs all three.

In the 1990s, I administered the program for Scholastic Coach magazine in New York City for nearly a decade. Back then it was a one-man show with sport specific experts and regional media members. Now it’s run by a cadre of people. Simple is better.

LB Tyler Atkinson of No. 16 Grayson (Loganville, Ga., Texas signee), Miami-bound LT Jackson Cantwell of Nixa (Mo.) and junior RB Landen Williams-Callis of Randle (Richmond, Texas) will learn this week who is the recipient of the prestigious award with national winners including Emmitt Smith and Peyton Manning—both in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Check out the list of 51 state winners, including the District of Columbia, that was recently revealed.

Well, that’s it for the first weekend in December.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings will return on Tuesday, Dec. 16.

Keep up with us on X (formerly Twitter, @clawlor) for all announcements and other exclusives from the gridiron and the hardwood. Basketball rankings return regularly during Christmas week.

And a very Happy Hanukkah to our friends and it starts at sundown on Sunday, Dec. 14 and lasts through Monday, Dec. 22. It’s eight days of presents and the lighting of the menorah. If you know someone who celebrates this Jewish holiday, wish them a happy holiday or Chag Semeach in Hebrew. It’s time for peace and joy.

Bye for now.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Football Rankings, Dec. 9, 2025

1. Southlake (Texas) Carroll (14-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Recap: Defeated Denton Guyer, 51-19, in the Class 6A, Division II Region 1 final. Pittsburgh-bound QB Angelo Renda completed 10-of-16 passes for 235 yards and two TDs and Davis Penn rushed for 161 yards and two scores.

Next: Saturday vs. DeSoto in Class 6A, Division II state semifinals to be played at Mansfield’s Vernon Newsom Stadium.

2. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (11-1)*

Previous: 2.

Recap: Won Nevada Class 5A Open Division championship. Season complete.

3. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (9-0)

Previous: 3.

Recap: The Ascenders do not compete for a state title. Season complete.

4. Buford, Ga. (14-0)

Previous: 4.

Recap: Defeated Valdosta in Class 6A state semifinals. The Wolves were up 11-7 early and then closed with 28 points to register a key road win.

Next: Dec. 16 vs. No. 5 Carrollton in Class 6A final to be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

5. Carrollton, Ga. (14-0)

Previous: 5.

Recap: Defeated North Gwinnett (Suwanee), 48-21 in Class 6A semifinals.

Next: Dec. 16 vs. No. 4 Buford in Class 6A final to be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

6. Allen, Texas (14-0)

Previous: 6.

Recap: Defeated then-No. 23 North Crowley (Fort Worth), 33-21, in Class 6A, Division I Region 1 final. The Eagles race to a 21-7 lead at intermission.

Next: Saturday vs. No. 23 Duncanville in Class 6A, Division I semifinals to be played at Memorial Stadium in Mesquite.

7. Santa Margarita, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. (10-3)

Previous: 7.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Saturday vs. De La Salle (Concord) in the CIF Open Division Bowl state championship in Mission Viejo.

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

Previous: 8.

Recap: Season complete.

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

Previous: 9.

Recap: Defeated Riverdale (Fort Myers), 45-13, in FHSAA Class 5A state semifinals. The Raiders go for their seventh straight FHSAA title.

Next: Thursday vs. Lakeland in Class 5A state final to be played in South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium in Miami.

10. Bixby, Okla. (13-0)*

Previous: 10.

Recap: Defeated Owasso, 31-17, in Class 6A-I state championship. Jayson Moll carried 22 times for 169 yards and a score. Texas Tech-bound LB/TE Cord Nolan made nine tackles and caught a 38-yard TD pass. The Spartans claimed its eighth straight state title overall and fourth consecutive championship in Class 6A-I. The Spartans have won 11 titles in the last 12 seasons. Season complete.

11. Northwestern, Miami (13-0)

Previous: 11.

Recap: Defeated Bishop Moore (Orlando), 52-21, in the Class 3A state semifinals.

Next: Friday vs. Raines (Jacksonville) in the Class 3A state final to be played at South Dade Kia Field in Pitbull Stadium.

12. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (11-0)*

Previous: 12.

Recap: Won Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship. Season complete.

13. Clay-Chalkville, Pinson, Ala. (15-0)*

Previous: 13.

Recap: Defeated Saraland, 38-21, in Class 6A state championship game. Alabama State-bound QB Aaron Frye had a monster game throwing for 167 yards and two TDs and ran for 183 yards and three scores. Frye’s 39-yard TD gallop gave his team a 17-0 edge midway through the second quarter. Season complete.

14. Mount Carmel, Chicago (14-0)*

Previous: 14.

Recap: Defeated Oswego, 20-3, for the Illinois Class 8A state championship. It was the program’s 17 state title and fourth straight. QB Emmet Dowling’s 1-yard TD run gave the Caravan a 7-3 lead and Gavin Conjar returned a blocked punt 11 yards to make it 14-3 in the third quarter. Season complete.

15. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (12-0)

Previous: 15.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Saturday vs. No. 7 Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita) in CIF Open Division Bowl final in Mission Viejo.

16. Grayson, Loganville, Ga. (12-1)

Previous: 16.

Recap: Season complete.

17. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (11-2)

Previous: 17.

Recap: Season complete.

18. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (8-3)

Previous: 18.

Recap: Season complete.

19. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (9-2)

Previous: 19.

Recap: Claimed a two-way share of the vaunted Trinity League title with two Elite 25 programs. Season complete.

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

Previous: 20.

Recap: Won UHSAA Class 6A state championship. Season complete.

21. Edna Karr, New Orleans (13-0)

Previous: 21.

Recap: Defeated Catholic (Baton Rouge), 17-10, in the LHSAA Select Division I semifinals.

Next: Saturday vs. St. Augustine (New Orleans) in the LHSAA Select Division final to be played at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

22. Basha, Chandler, Ariz. (12-1)*

Previous: 22.

Recap: Defeated Chandler, 34-7, in the Arizona Open Division championship for the second time in program history. Junior QB Jake Rogers threw and ran for TDs. Season complete.

23. Duncanville, Texas (11-1)

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Defeated Waxahachie, 35-27, in the Class 6A, Division I, Region 2 final. The Panthers return to the Elite 25 after a 10^th straight win. Trenton Yancey ran for two scores.

Next: Saturday vs. No. 6 Allen in Class, Division I semifinals to be played at Memorial Stadium in Mesquite.

24. Chaminade-Madonna College Prep, Hollywood, Fla. (11-2)

Previous: 24.

Recap: Defeated Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville), 35-0, in FHSAA Class 1A state semifinals.

Next: Thursday vs. Cardinal Newman (West Palm Beach) in FHSAA Class 1A state final to be played at South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium in Miami.

25. St. Joseph Regional, Montvale, N.J. (10-2)*

Previous: 25.

Recap: Won the NJSIAA Non-Public A state championship. It was the 20^th state crown in program history. Season complete.

Dropped: No. 23 North Crowley (Fort Worth, Texas).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. La Salle College High, Wyndmoor, Pa. (13-1)*
2. Christian Brothers Academy, Syracuse, N.Y. (13-0)*
3. Iona Prep, New Rochelle, N.Y. (11-1)**
4. Archbishop Spalding, Severn, Md. (10-2)*
5. Roman Catholic, Philadelphia (12-3)*

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

Midwest

1. Brownsburg, Ind. (14-0)*
2. Detroit Catholic Central, Novi, Mich. (14-0)*
3. Olentangy Orange, Lewis Center, Ohio (15-0)*
4. Arrowhead, Hartland, Wis. (13-1)*
5. Dowling Catholic, West Des Moines, Iowa (12-1)*

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

Southland

1. North Shore, Galena Park, Texas (12-2)
2. Oakland, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (15-0)*
3. Grimsley, Greensboro, N.C. (14-0)
4. Bryant, Ark. (13-0)*
5. Baylor School, Chattanooga, Tenn. (12-0)*

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

Far West

1. Cherry Creek, Greenwood Village, Colo. (14-0)*
2. Folsom, Calif. (13-1)
3. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (10-1)
4. O’Dea, Seattle (13-1)*
5. Lake Oswego, Ore. (12-1)*

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

Records through Sunday’s games

 * Denotes a state or conference postseason champion [Note: a second asterisk indicates a team has multiple postseason titles.]

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 in December. Follow him on X (or Twitter) at @clawlor.