BENSALEM, Pa. – The noise came out of the Pacific Northwest and the nation’s capital this weekend. Last Friday, two teams from the Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings were knocked off. On paper they were considered upsets, but a closer look will reveal more.

In Washington, D.C., then-No. 12 Gonzaga (Washington) lost its Washington Catholic Athletic Conference opener to Good Counsel (Olney, Md.), 42-35, in five overtimes. It was a crushing loss for the defending WCAC champions. Both teams are 6-1 but Gonzaga is vanquished, at least temporarily, from the Elite 25.

Meanwhile across the country, No. 24 O’Dea (Seattle) enters the Elite 25 after defeating previously unbeaten No. 25 Eastside Catholic (Sammamish, Wash.), 28-6. Eastside Catholic slips 18 spots with the setback. O’Dea and EC entered with identical 5-0 records but the Fighting Irish emerged from the rivalry game scoring touchdowns in all four quarters. Last year, EC won both meetings, including the Class 3A final. It was revenge but don’t be surprised when they meet again in the state final in December.

Before we signoff for the week, it’s only 10 days until the season’s most anticipated matchup between No. 1 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) and No. 2 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.). All eyes will be on the Trinity League contest, but the second meeting is likely slated next month in the CIF-Southern Section Open Division playoffs. The anticipation is the hard part for fans and then the hard part comes for either team to win the game. Mater Dei is a well-oiled machine and taking no prisoners. Last weekend, SJB hammered regionally ranked JSerra (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) by 39 points. We’ll have a breakdown of the historic matchup when the Elite 25 reconvenes.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 rankings will return on Oct. 15.

If you haven’t already attended a game this season be sure to get out this weekend. Time is running out in certain states such as Indiana, Utah, Alaska, Hawaii and Wisconsin. We hope to see you at a game soon. — Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Football Rankings Oct. 15, 2019

1. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (7-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Recap: Defeated JSerra (San Juan Capistrano), 49-10. The game remained close, 21-10, halftime, but 14 points in each of the final two quarters turned the Trinity League contest into a rout. QB DJ Uiagalelei threw for three touchdowns and sprinted 49 yards for another in the fourth quarter. Kris Hutson scored two TDs—one each on the ground and in the air.

Next: Friday vs. Orange Lutheran to be played at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa.

2. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (7-0)

Previous: 2.

Recap: Crushed Servite (Anaheim), 56-11. It was another big night for Clemson-bound QB Bryce Young, who accounted for five TDs, including four in the air and another via 11-yard run. Young sprayed the ball around the field, hitting WRs Josiah Zamora and Kody Epps for two TDs apiece. Young found Epps for an 11-yard toss, giving the Monarchs a 35-0 cushion. One more game until the dream matchup against No. 1 St. John Bosco (Bellflower) for national supremacy and likely the Trinity League crown.

Next: Friday at Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita) to be played at Trabuco Hills High School in Mission Viejo.

3. Duncanville, Texas (6-0)

Previous: 3.

Recap: Defeated Lake Highlands (Dallas), 28-6. Texas-bound QB Ja’Quiden Jackson made sure the Panthers stayed unbeaten with TDs runs of 69 and 7 yards, took a punt to the house from 79 yards and tossed another to Marquelan Crowell from 69 yards in the second quarter. Four games are left in the regular season.

Next: Friday at Pearce (Richardson).

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

Previous: 4.

Recap: Defeated Life Christian Academy (Chester, Va.), 43-16.

The Ascenders actually trailed 16-14 at intermission but quickly turned things around as QB DJ Boney ran for a score and two 2-point conversions and threw a 31-yard TD to Ari Allen in the third quarter. This weekend will be the biggest test of the weekend.

Next: Friday at No. 7 St. Frances Academy (Baltimore).

5. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (6-0)

Previous: 5.

Recap: Dropped Plantation, 35-0, for the team’s third shutout of the term. The Raiders methodically took a 21-point edge by halftime and cruised. RB Anthony Henderson rushed for scores of 8 and 22 yards, and sophomore QB Zion Turner passed 8 yards to WR Jahvante Royal for another in the second quarter. After a run of noncompetitive games, the Raiders play a team that should make a run in the state playoffs.

Next: Friday vs. Deerfield Beach.

6. Katy, Texas (6-0)

Previous: 6

Recap: Defeated Morton Ranch (Katy), 45-3.

Next: Friday vs. Seven Lakes (Katy).

7. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (6-1)

Previous: 8.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday vs. No. 4 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) to be played at Morgan State University’s Hughes Memorial Stadium in Baltimore.

8. Saint Louis School, Honolulu (9-0)

Previous: 9.

Recap: Defeated Waianae, 56-26, as Washington State-bound QB Jayden de Laura carved up the secondary for four TDs of 20, 6, 9 and 25 yards. WR Matt Sykes caught two scoring strikes and Kaohu Kanakawinoole added two TDs on each side of the ball. RB Mason Taliulu rushed for a pair of TDs from 1 and 10 yards. The Crusaders are done with the regular season and await an opponent in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Open Division final.

Next: Nov. 1 vs. TBD in ILH Open Division playoffs.

9. Allen, Texas (6-0)

Previous: 10.

Recap: Defeated Plano East (Plano),45-14. The Eagles made quick work, improving to 3-0 in District 9-6A and racking up 38 unanswered points in the first half. QB Raylen Sharpe hit on 11 of 14 passes for 180 yards and two TDs in the first half.

Next: Friday vs. Jesuit (Dallas).

10. Lakeland, Fla. (8-0)

Previous: 11.

Recap: Defeated Durant (Plant City), 27-0. The Dreadnaughts coasted to a 21-0 lead at the break. Two games remain in the regular season.

Next: Friday at Bloomingdale (Valrico).

11. North Shore, Galena Park, Texas (5-1)

Previous: 13.

Recap: Defeated Deer Park, 49-7.

Next: Friday vs. Sterling (Bay Town).

12. Dutch Fork, Irmo, S.C. (7-0-1)

Previous: 14.

Recap: Defeated River Bluff (Lexington), 48-14. The Silver Foxes scored the game’s first 48 points. At halftime, QB Ty Olenchuk had thrown for 216 yards and two TDs and ran for another.

Next: Friday vs. Lexington.

13. Longview, Texas (6-0)

Previous: 15.

Recap: Defeated Horn (Mesquite), 44-20. An interesting statistic sees the Lobos outscoring opponents, 113-14 in the second half, including 21 unanswered against Horn. RB Kaden Meredith rushed for a career-high 354 yards and four TDs. It was the second best single-game most rushing yards in program history.

Next: Friday vs. Health (Rockwall).

14. John Curtis Christian, River Ridge, La. (6-0)

Previous: 67.

Recap: Defeated Archbishop Shaw (Marrero, La.), 55-21. The Patriots were up 32-0 after one quarter. The win streak reached 19 games over two seasons.

Next: Friday vs. Jesuit (New Orleans).

15. Lowndes County, Valdosta, Ga. (7-0)

Previous: 17.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday at Tift County (Tifton).

16. Colquitt County, Norman Park, Ga. (6-1)

Previous: 18.

Recap: Lambasted Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, Fla.), 45-0.

Next: Friday at Camden County (Kingsland).

17. Madison (Miss.) Central (7-0)

Previous: 19.

Recap: Defeated Warren Central (Vicksburg.), 28-7. QB Jimmy Holiday rushed for two scores and threw for another.

Next: Friday vs. Starkville.

18. St. Peter’s Prep, Jersey City, N.J. (6-0)

Previous: 20

Recap: Rallied to stop rival Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey), 26-22. Junior RB Ethan Rodriguez kept the Marauders’ perfect season alive with a 21-yard TD run with 2:47 remaining. Bosco drove into Prep territory after the ensuing kickoff, but Avery Powell intercepted a pass to seal it.

Next: Friday at Paramus Catholic.

19. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (7-1)

Previous: 21.

Recap: The Spartans overwhelmed previously undefeated California High (San Ramon), 70-7. Eight different players scored TDs led by Shamar Garrett who had three, including runs from 5 and 9 yards and a 20-yard fumble recovery return. QB Dorian Hale rushed 47 yards and tossed another from 46 yards and Brendan Moore was perfect on 10 extra points.

Next: Friday vs. San Ramon Valley (Danville).

20. St. Joseph Regional, Montvale, N.J. (5-1)

Previous: 22.

Recap: Defeated Bergen Catholic (Oradell), 28-10. The Green Knights scored 21 points in the second half after trailing 10-7 at halftime. Junior RB Audric Estime was the workhorse plowing through the BC defense for two TDs and Purdue-bound QB Michael Alaimo threw an 8-yard score to TE Brayden Kelly. RB Te-Rai Powell added the final six-pointer of the afternoon late in the fourth. The local rivalries continue this weekend at home.

Next: Saturday vs. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey).

21. Archbishop Hoban, Akron, Ohio (6-1)

Previous: 23.

Recap: Defeated Lake Catholic (Mentor), 49-6. QB Shane Hamm and RB Victor Dawson rushed for three TDs apiece in the blowout victory. The Knights led 35-0 at halftime.

Next: Friday vs. Padua Franciscan (Parma.).

22. Grayson, Loganville, Ga. (5-1)

Previous: 20.

Recap: Defeated Shiloh (Snellville), 45-7. The Rams exploded for 31 points in the second period and suddenly it was 38-7 at halftime.

Next: Friday at Archer (Lawrenceville).

23. Marietta, Ga. (5-1)

Previous: 24.

Recap: Defeated previously undefeated North Paulding (Dallas), 49-14. The Blue Devils host a Georgia power this weekend. Should shake the Georgia Class 7A rankings.

Next: Friday vs. McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.).

24. O’Dea, Seattle (6-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Upended then-No. 7 Eastside Catholic (Sammamish, Wash.), 28-6. The Fighting Irish never trailed, scoring a TD in each quarter and land in the Elite 25 for the first time.

Next: Friday at Rainier Beach (Seattle).

25. Eastside Catholic, Sammamish, Wash. (5-1)

Previous: 7.

Recap: Lost to O’Dea (Seattle), 28-6. The Crusaders will look to rebound against another local rival.

Next: Friday at Seattle Prep.

Dropped: No. 12 Gonzaga, Washington, D.C.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (4-2)
2. Good Counsel, Olney, Md. (6-1)
3. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (5-1)
4. Gonzaga, Washington, D.C (6-1)
5. Highland Springs, Va. (7-0)

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

Midwest

1. Mentor, Ohio (7-0)
2. Muskegon, Mich. (7-0)
3. Muskego, Wis. (8-0)
4. Lincoln-Way East, Frankfort, Ill. (7-0)
5. Avon, Ind. (8-0)

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

Southland

1. McEachern, Powder Springs, Ga. (7-0)
2. Thompson, Alabaster, Ala. (7-0)
3. Southlake (Texas) Carroll (6-0)
4. Oakland, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (7-0)
5. Male, Louisville, Ky. (7-0)

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

Far West

1. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (6-1)
2. Corner Canyon, Draper, Utah (9-0)
3. Mission Viejo, Calif. (8-0)
4. Chandler, Ariz. (7-0)
5. Lake Stevens, Wash. (6-0)

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

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 on December 24. Follow him on Twitter at @clawlor.