No. 3 St. John Bosco (CA) records big win, receives first-round home playoff game in CIF-Southern Section; no additions to Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings

BENSALEM, Pa. — Will it be a November to remember?

That’s what the teams from the Blue Star Media Elite 25 high school football rankings are hoping. The playoff brackets in most states have been drawn up while states such as Florida, Texas and Georgia still have regular season games left on the schedule.

For the fifth week in October, there are no additions to the Elite 25. No. 15 Servite (Anaheim, Calif.) slipped two spots after falling to Trinity League rivals No. 3 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), 24-10. If all goes according to the Division 1 brackets that were released by the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section, the two could meet in the semifinals on Nov. 19. The eight teams from the Division 1 brackets have a bye this weekend and kick off the postseason on Nov. 12.

All three teams from the Trinity League and featured in the Elite 25 rankings will host quarterfinal matchups on Nov. 12. If No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) No. 19 Corona Centennial win the quarterfinals, they would play in the semifinals. The championship game is Nov. 26 or Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving in Long Beach.

Additionally, No. 9 Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) closed out a 9-0 regular season in the Super Football Conference United Red Division, considered one of the nation’s best and toughest. The Crusaders received the top seed and first-round bye in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Non-Public A playoffs that start this weekend will conclude over the Thanksgiving Day Weekend at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. The Crusaders need three wins over quality opponents to pull off the perfect season.

There were no major upsets in the state playoffs but that will change in November and December. There are always a few Cinderella teams that fight and claw their way into the Elite 25 rankings with a powerful run to a state championship. We’ll keep you up to date.

So, that’s it for the final weekend in October. Hope you had a spooky Halloween. The Blue Star Media Elite 25 rankings return on Nov. 9. Don’t forget to vote today. Too much is at stake this year and the elections, especially local ones, are your chance to voice an opinion or send a message.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Football Rankings, Nov. 2, 2021

1. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (8-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Recap: Defeated JSerra (San Juan Capistrano), 56-14. The Monarchs claimed the Trinity League championship. The damage was done early and quickly as it was 42-7 at halftime. Sophomore quarterback Elijah Brown threw for two touchdowns in the first quarter and sophomore RB Ajon Bryant rushed for two TDs. The section playoffs kick off next weekend the Monarchs are the clear-cut No. 1 seed.

Next: Nov. 12 vs. Norco in CIF-Southern Section, Division 1 quarterfinals.

2. Westlake, Austin, Texas (9-0)

Previous: 2.

Recap: Defeated Austin High, 77-3. The District 26-6A title is on the line in the season’s final game.

Next: Friday vs. Lake Travis (Austin).

3. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (9-1)

Previous: 3.

Recap: Defeated then-No. 13 Servite (Anaheim), 24-10. The Braves took leads of 7-0 in the first and 14-10 at halftime. Junior QB Pierce Clarkson tossed a 49-yard TD to Colin Chase in the first and then 51 yards to RB Jabari Bates in the second. Leading 17-10 late in the fourth, Michigan State-bound QB Katin Houser threw a 37-yard scoring strike to WR Chedon James on fourth down to seal it.

Next: Nov. 12 vs. Los Alamitos in the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 quarterfinals.

4. Collins Hill, Suwanee, Ga. (10-0)

Previous: 4.

Recap: Defeated Mill Creek (Hoschton), 40-10. The Eagles have a bye week before embarking on the playoffs.

Next: Nov. 12 vs. TBA in Class 7A first round.

5. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (8-0)

Previous: 5.

Recap: Defeated Auburn (Ala.), 27-17. The Ascenders rallied from 17-13 down in the fourth quarter to escape the road upset.

Next: Friday vs. Clarkston North (Mississauga, Ontario).

6. Katy, Texas (9-0)

Previous: 7.

Recap: Defeated Katy Taylor, 67-17.

Next: Friday at Katy Morton Ranch.

7. Southlake (Texas) Carroll (9-0)

Previous: 8.

Recap: Defeated Keller Timber Creek, 42-7. RB Owen Allen rushed for 247 yards and three TDs as the Dragons clinched at least a tie for the District 4-6A.

Next: Friday at Keller Fossil Ridge.

8. Chandler, Ariz. (8-0)

Previous: 8.

Recap: Defeated Casteel (Queen Creek), 21-17. Two games remain in the regular season.

Next: Friday vs. Highland (Gilbert).

9. Bergen Catholic, Oradell, N.J. (9-0)

Previous: 9.

Recap: Shut out St. Peter’s Prep (Jersey City). 21-0. Junior RB Saaed St. Fleur scored from 31 yards in the first quarter and the Crusaders’ defense did the rest. RB Ryan Butler rushed for 171 yards and two scores. The Crusaders received a first-round bye in the state playoffs.

Next: Nov. 13 vs. Donovan Catholic (Toms River) or Notre Dame (Lawrenceville) in the Non-Public A quarterfinals.

10. Hoover, Ala. (10-0)

Previous: 10.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday vs. Sparkman (Harvest) in Class 7A first round.

11. Bixby, Okla. (9-0)

Previous: 11.

Recap: Defeated Ponca City, 66-13. The Spartans nabbed their 45^th straight victory.

Next: Friday at Booker T. Washington (Tulsa).

12. Thompson, Alabaster, Ala. (9-1)

Previous: 12.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday vs. Florence in Class 7A first round.

13. Jesuit, Tampa, Fla. (9-0)

Previous: 14.

Recap: Defeated King (Tampa), 56-0. The Tigers head into this weekend’s rivalry game with Tampa Catholic on a high note. RB Joquez Smith opened the scoring from 28 yards after two plays and Junior Vandeross returned a punt 50 yards for a TD. Vandeross collected his second TD off a punt return, going 51 yards for a 22-0 lead in the first quarter. Caleb Williams added a 25-yard, pick-six and the rout was on. The Tigers move into their regular-season finale.

Next: Friday vs. Tampa Catholic.

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

Previous: 14.

Recap: Defeated Nova (Davie), 49-7. The Raiders are off this weekend and then they will look to defend their state championship.

Next: Nov. 12 vs. TBA in Class 7A, Region 4 quarterfinals.

15. Servite, Anaheim, Calif. (8-2)

Previous: 13.

Recap: Lost at No. 3 St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 24-10. The Friars carried a 10-7 lead into the second quarter. Arizona-bound QB Noah Fifita threw a TD pass to WR Mikey Welsh with 22 seconds left in the first but the Braves scored the game’s final 21 points.

Next: Nov. 12 vs. Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita) in the CIF-Southern Section, Division 1 quarterfinals.

16. Milton, Alpharetta, Ga. (8-1)

Previous: 16.

Recap: Defeated Woodstock, 68-7.

Next: Friday vs. Cherokee (Canton).

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

Previous: 17.

Recap: Defeated West Toronto Prep (Etobicoke, Ontario), 54-6.

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

18. Center Grove, Greenwood, Ind. (10-0)

Previous: 18.

Recap: Defeated Franklin Central (Indianapolis), 35-7 in Class 6A sectionals. Tennessee-bound QB Tayven Jackson completed 9-of-12 passes for 133 yards and TD passes of 5 and 51 yards. Mitchell Evans opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 93-yard punt return for a 7-0 lead.

Next: Friday vs. Columbus North in Sectional 8 final.

19. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (10-0)

Previous: 19.

Recap: Defeated Corona, 64-0.

Next: Nov. 12 vs. Mission Viejo in the CIF-Southern Section, Division 1 quarterfinals.

20. Hamilton, Chandler, Ariz. (8-0)

Previous: 20.

Recap: Defeated Highland (Gilbert), 32-12.

Next: Friday at Higley (Gilbert).

21. Corner Canyon, Draper, Utah (10-1)

Previous: 21.

Recap: Defeated Kearns, 49-14 in Class 6A second round. QB Devin Brown threw for two scores to Cody Hagen and rushed for another. Tate Stanley added a 25-yard, pick-six and RB Drew Patterson ran for scores of 25 and 1 yards when the Chargers led 42-0 at the break.

Next: Friday vs. American Fork in the Class 6A quarterfinals.

22. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (9-1)

Previous: 22.

Recap: Defeated Faith Lutheran (Las Vegas), 51-0, in Class 5A Southern Region quarterfinals. Sophomore QB Micah Alejado hit on 10-for-13 passes for 165 yards and a score and rushed 27 yards for another one.

Next: Friday vs. Foothill (Henderson) in Class 5A Southern Region semifinals.

23. Loyola Academy, Wilmette, Ill. (10-0)

Previous: 23.

Recap: Defeated Downers Grove South, 44-0, in Class 8A first round.

Next: Saturday at Naperville Central in the Class 8A second round.

24. Valor Christian, Highlands Ranch, Colo. (10-0)

Previous: 24.

Recap: Defeated ThunderRidge (Highland Ranch), 52-21. Oklahoma-bound RB Gavin Sawchuk ran for three TDs and his sophomore brother Gabe Sawchuk ran for two scores. The Eagles closed out a perfect regular season and received a first-round bye in the Class 5A playoffs.

Next: Nov. 12 vs. Fort Collins or Chaparral (Parker) in the Class 5A second round.

25. St. Edward, Lakewood, Ohio (10-1)

Previous: 25.

Recap: Defeated Lorain, 49-0, Division I, Region 1 first round. The Eagles had little resistance opening the postseason and were up 42 points in the second quarter before emptying the bench. RB Danny Enovitch rushed for two TDs in the first quarter and Josh Gribble and Kyan Mason returned the opening kickoff 96 yards to the house and it was 28-0 after one quarter.

Next: Friday vs. Midpark (Berea) in Division I, Region 1 quarterfinals

Dropped: None.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (8-0)
2. Stone Bridge, Ashburn, Va. (9-0)
3. Archbishop Spalding, Severn, Md. (9-0)
4. Iona Prep, New Rochelle, N.Y. (8-1)
5. La Salle College, Wyndmoor, Pa. (8-1)

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

Midwest

1. Medina, Ohio (11-0)
2. Lakeville (Minn.) South (9-0)
3. Kennedy, Cedar Rapids, Iowa (10-0)
4. Rockford, Mich. (10-0)
5. Cathedral, Indianapolis (10-1)

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

Southland

1. Oakland, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (10-0)
2. Dutch Fork, Irmo, S.C. (8-0)
3. Male, Louisville, Ky. (9-0)
4. Central, Miami (7-2)
5. Zachary, La. (9-0)

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

Far West

1. St. Francis, Mountain View, Calif. (8-0)
2. Graham (Wash.)-Kapowsin (9-0)
3. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (7-2)
4. Central Catholic, Portland, Ore. (9-0)
5. Serra, San Mateo, Calif. (8-0)

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 August until the conclusion of the high school season in December. 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. Follow him on Twitter at @clawlor.