No. 23 Lipscomb Academy (TN) enters Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings; No. 1 St. John Bosco (CA), No. 2 Mater Dei (CA) continue to roll

REDINGTON BEACH, Fla. – One month is in the books and the Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings are a work in progress. With so many nationally themed games created and played, the competition to remain nationally ranked is becoming more difficult.

Previously, teams could hang around all or at least most of the season before losing in the playoffs or absorbing a regular-season setback. Well, that’s history and after four weeks of play this season, five teams have dropped out of the Elite 25 rankings.

This week two teams that lost remained in the Elite 25 because of their strength of schedule and plenty of opportunities to atone.

The lone newcomer this week is No. 23 Lipscomb Academy of Nashville, Tennessee. The Mustangs are 3-0 with two quality wins over powerhouse programs from Georgia and Alabama. They are heavy favorites to win the Division II Class 2A Middle Region and defend their state championship from 2021.

Last week, the National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame today released impactful numbers on the state of football, including key stats from the high school,

The NFF anticipates that more than one million students will take the field at 15,810 high schools and another 81,000 will play at the college level at 774 four-year institutions.

• 15,810* High Schools in the United States that Sponsor Football (as of 2018-19 Season, National Federation of State High School Associations)

• 1.04 Million* High School Football Players in the United States (as of 2018-19 Season, National Federation of State High School Associations) 
• 7.8 Percent of High School Football Players will Play in College

The numbers do not include private and/or parochial high schools that do not report to the state high school associations. Needless to say, some interesting numbers.

This weekend schools from Connecticut and Massachusetts will open their seasons.

The GEICO ESPN High School Showcase will televise Lake Gibson (Lakeland, Fla.) travels to Lehigh (Lehigh Acres, Fla.)  Serra (San Mateo, Calif.) at De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) Friday, 8 p.m. ET, on ESPNU.

This weekend’s top game has No. 11 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) entertaining Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.) Friday at 7 p.m. PT. It’s part of the Polynesian Football Classic that will be shown live on YurView. Last year’s game became an instant classic in Arizona when Hamilton

erased a 17-point deficit in the final minute for a thrilling 2524 victory.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings return on Sept. 13, chronicling the first five weeks of play.

Finally, Blue Star Media is adding national rankings for girls’ volleyball and they will debut Wednesday. More details forthcoming regarding the Blue Star Media net 25 volleyball rankings.

Until then remain safe as school is in session in all 50 states and the District of Columbia starting this week. We hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

 Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings, Sept. 6, 2022

1. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (2-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Recap: Drilled Bishop Amat (La Puente), 42-7. The Braves scored 35 points in the opening half.

Next: Friday at Central Catholic (Portland, Ore.) to be played at University of Oregon’s Autzen Stadium in Eugene.

2. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (3-0)

Previous: 2.

Recap: Defeated then-No. 11 Corona (Calif.) Centennial, 43-20. Junior QB Elijah Brown keeps his impressive play in tact after throwing for 298 yards and three touchdowns to WR Marcus Brown. It appears the magical showdown between the Monarchs and top-ranked St. John Bosco (Bellflower) will be played at 70,000-seat SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Oct. 7.

Next: Friday vs. La Mirada.

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

Previous: 3.

Recap: Crushed Converse Judson, 47-14. The Chaparrals easily won two non-district games and now will play eight straight in District 26-6A to close out the regular season.

Next: Thursday at Akins (Austin).

4. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (2-0)

Previous: 4.

Recap: Defeated DeSoto (Texas), 47-7. The Panthers rolled up 565 total offensive yards, including 367 on the ground. Junior QB Michael Van Buren threw for three TD and RB Durell Robinson ran for two scores and 199 yards.

Next: Sept. 15 at Venice (Fla.).

5. North Shore, Galena Park, Texas (2-0)

Previous: 5.

Recap: Defeated Spring, 42-0.

Next: Friday vs. Westfield (Spring).

6. Buford, Ga. (3-0)

Previous: 6.

Recap: Defeated North Cobb (Kennesaw), 21-14. Alabama-bound RB Justice Haynes’ second TD of the contest with 42 seconds left from 6 yards snapped a 14-all tie. Haynes ran for 202 yards on 19 carries. The Wolves head into their bye week.

Next: Sept. 16 vs. Carver (Atlanta).

7. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (2-0)

Previous: 7.

Recap: Shut out Fort Myers, 42-0. The defense pitched a whitewashing.

Next: Friday vs. Cocoa.

8. Central, Miami (1-0)

Previous: 8.

Recap: Idle. The Rockets play a huge rivalry game this weekend.

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

9. Chandler, Ariz. (1-0)

Previous: 9.

Recap: Defeated Cathedral Catholic (San Diego, Calif.), 63-7. The Wolves thrashed one of California’s top-10 teams at their place.

Next: Friday vs. Corona del Sol (Tempe).

10. Southlake (Texas) Carroll (2-0)

Previous: 10.

Recap: Defeated Flower Mound Marcus, 38-7.

Next: Friday vs. Cedar Hill.

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

Previous: 12.

Recap: Overwhelmed Saint Louis School (Honolulu), 56-14. The Gaels manhandled one of Hawaii’s top teams in the South Pacific. Junior QB Micah Alejado had 293 yards passing and five TDs by the break. Talk about a dominant performance.

Next: Friday vs. Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.).

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

Previous:13.

Recap: Trounced De Smet Jesuit (St. Louis, Mo.), 50-6.

Next: Friday at East (Salt Lake City, Utah).

13. St. Edward, Lakewood, Ohio (3-0)

Previous: 14.

Recap: Defeated Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village, Colo.), 13-9. The Eagles defense thwarted a late drive from the Coloradans.

Next: Saturday vs. Elder (Cincinnati).

14. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (2-1)

Previous: 12.

Recap: Lost to No. 2 Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 43-20. The Huskies continue facing the top Trinity League teams this weekend.

Next: Friday vs. JSerra (San Juan Capistrano).

15. Duncanville, Texas (2-0)

Previous: 15.

Recap: Defeated Jones (Orlando, Fla.), 44-21.

Next: Friday vs. Lake Ridge (Mansfield).

16. Grayson, Loganville, Ga. (3-0)

Previous: 16.

Recap: Blanked Fort Dorchester (North Charleston, S.C.), 28-0.

Next: Friday vs. Spartanburg (S.C.).

17. Denton (Texas) Guyer (2-0)

Previous: 17.

Recap: Defeated Aledo, 44-14.

Next: Thursday at Lancaster.

18. Katy, Texas (2-0)

Previous: 18.

Recap: Defeated Atascocita (Humble), 35-28.

Next: Saturday at Katy Tompkins.

19. Bergen Catholic, Oradell, N.J. (2-0)

Previous: 20.

Recap: Defeated then-No. 22 Saguaro (Scottdale, Ariz.), 28-7. Following scoreless first period, sophomore QB Dominic Campanile threw TDs passes of 5 and 24 yards and RB Saeed St. Fleur ran 3 yards for another six-pointer. Chris Mimmo’s 40-yard INT return in the third clinched it.

Next: Saturday at Delbarton School (Morristown).

20. Longview, Texas (2-0)

Previous: 22.

Recap: Defeated Marshall, 48-11.

Next: Friday at Tyler Legacy,

21. American Heritage, Plantation, Fla. (3-0)

Previous: 23.

Recap: Defeated Lake Gibson (Lakeland), 42-14.

Next: Friday vs. Glades Central (Belle Glade).

22. Chaminade-Madonna College Prep, Hollywood, Fla. (2-0)

Previous: 25.

Recap:  Defeated Dillard (Fort Lauderdale), 49-28.
Next: Thursday at Northwestern (Miami).

23. Lipscomb Academy, Nashville, Tenn. (3-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Defeated Goodpasture Christian (Madison, Tenn.), 52-0.

Next: Saturday vs. Calvert Hall College (Baltimore).

24. Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, N.J. (1-1)

Previous: 19.

Recap: Lost to Edgewater (Orlando, Fla.), 34-10. The Ironmen were beaten soundly in central Florida.

Next: Friday vs. St. Joseph Regional (Montvale).

25. Saguaro, Scottsdale, Ariz. (0-1)

Previous: 21.

Recap: Lost to then-No. 20 Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.), 28-7.

Next: Friday at Queen Creek.

Dropped: No. 24 Mission Viejo (Calif.).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Good Counsel, Olney, Md. (2-0)
2. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (1-1)
3. St. Joseph Prep, Philadelphia (1-1)
4. Oscar Smith, Chesapeake, Va. (1-0)
5. St. Peter’s Prep, Jersey City, N.J. (1-1)

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

Midwest

1. Archbishop Moeller, Cincinnati (3-0)
2. Lakota West, West Chester, Ohio (3-0)
3. Mount Carmel, Chicago, (2-0)
4. Ankeny, Iowa (2-0)
5. Loyola Academy, Wilmette, Ill. (2-0)

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

Southland

1. Jesuit, Tampa, Fla. (2-0)
2. Colquitt County, Norman Park, Ga. (3-0)
3. Clay-Chalkville, Pinson, Ala. (3-0)
4. Bixby, Okla. (2-0)
5. St. Xavier, Louisville, Ky. (3-0)

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

Far West

1. Serra, San Mateo, Calif. (2-0)
2. Santa Margarita, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. (3-0) %
3. Hamilton, Chandler, Ariz. (1-0)
4. Basha, Chandler, Ariz. (1-0)
5. Poly, Long Beach, Calif. (3-0)

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

% Includes a forfeit win

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.