No. 9 Corner Canyon (UT) jumps seven spots in Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings; No. 2 IMG Academy (FL) posts impressive win

BENSALEM, Pa. – It’s been a heckuva year for big schools in Utah football. One of the nation’s top storylines is the play of quarterback Jaxson Dart and the No. 9 Corner Canyon (Draper, Utah) Chargers.

Heading into Wednesday’s regular season finale against American Fork, the Chargers are unbeaten and rolling into the Class 6A playoffs that get underway later next week. And that means a healthy bump of seven spots in the Blue Star Media Elite 25 Fall football rankings. Simply put, Corner Canyon has earned and are a fun, exciting team to watch. Last Thursday, Corner Canyon needed a late rally to knock off Skyridge (Lehi) but the ninth win of the season was not sealed until a defensive stand in the dying seconds.

Dart engineered the comeback with three of his four touchdown passes in the final 24 minutes, including the game-winner with :59 remaining. After starting the season without any college offers, Dart is now fielding several. He’s will make some college head coach look awfully smart one day.

The Corner Canyon win streak is 35 games with the playoffs around the corner.

No. 2 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) was quite impressive in dismantling Texas powerhouse and then-No. 3 Duncanville, 41-14. No. 11 Duncanville plunges eight spots after the lopsided loss.

For the second time this season, Louisiana and the Gulf Coast was hit with a hurricane, forcing the cancellation of numerous games. Hurricane Delta, the 10^th hurricane to make landfall this year, struck in southwest Louisiana Friday evening. We aren’t sure how this will impact football going forward but there’s bound to be schedules disrupted.

No. 25 Archbishop Hoban (Akron, Ohio) joins the Elite 25 Fall rankings. The Knights were idle last week and open the playoffs this weekend as the favorite in Ohio Division II. No. 23 Denton (Texas) Ryan drops out and will be forced to forfeit its opening two District 5-5A games over COVID-19 novel coronavirus issues. The Raiders won’t play again until Oct. 23 after shutting down practices and games for 14 days.

In a statement, Frisco ISD said:

“In the wording of the District rules, a game that can’t be played is ruled a ‘forfeit.’ However, the UIL has encouraged schools to not use the word forfeit for these games and instead use ‘no contest.’ That can allow the team to not call the game a loss, and in the case of Denton Ryan, its regular-season winning game streak can continue.’’

Well, that’s a mess but things will become clearer as the season progresses. We’ll continue to monitor and see how the Raiders bounce back.

No. 3 St. Joseph’s Prep (Philadelphia) and No. 14 De Smet Jesuit (St. Louis) finally played games last weekend and both won handily. This week 16 teams from the Elite 25 moved within the rankings. Iowa starts the playoffs this week and Indiana and Utah are down to their final week of the regular season.

It won’t be long before the entire fall season shifts to playoff mode.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 Fall rankings return on Oct. 20.

Stay safe, mask up when possible, practice social distancing and support your local businesses that have taken major financial hits since March. Please keep Louisiana in your thoughts; they have lots of mending on the way. We hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Fall Rankings, Oct. 13, 2020

1. North Shore, Galena Park, Texas (3-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Recap: Defeated Willis, 48-21. The Mustangs continued their winning ways. Auburn-bound QB Dematrius Davis completed 12-of-14 passes for 210 yards and three touchdowns. Shadrach Banks scored two TDs, including a 92-yard punt return. The Mustangs led 35-7 at the break. The District 21-6A schedule begins later this month.

Next: Friday at Manvel.

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

Previous: 2.

Recap: Rolled over then-No. 2 Duncanville (Texas), 41-14. Michigan-bound QB J.J. McCarthy passed for three TDs. The Ascenders trailed 7-3 early but rattled the next 31 points for 34-7 lead early in the fourth quarter.

Next: Friday vs. Bishop Sycamore (Columbus, Ohio).

 3. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (1-0)

Previous: 4.

Recap: Defeated Life Christian Academy (Chester, Va.), 41-24. The Hawks traveled more than three hours to open the season on a neutral field in Leonardtown, Maryland. The Hawks open the abbreviated Philadelphia Catholic League schedule with a showdown against a rival.

Next: Saturday vs. La Salle College High (Wyndmoor, Pa.) to be played at Bensalem High School.

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

Previous: 5.

Recap: Idle. Hark, the defending Class 7A state champion Raiders will actually play a game this weekend.

Next: Friday vs. TRU Prep Academy (Miami Gardens).

5. Central, Miami (0-0)

Previous: 6.

Recap: Idle. The Rockets are back in business later this month.

Next: Oct. 23 vs. Northwestern (Miami).

6. Grayson, Loganville, Ga. (5-0)

Previous: 7.

Recap: Survived double-overtime to hold off Mill Creek (Hoschton), 20-13. The game was tied at 6 though regulation and the Rams did not take the lead until the second extra session when QB DeYon Cannon hit Jaden Smith with a 9-yard scoring strike. The defense then did the rest. RB Phil Mafah’s 1-yard plunge in overtime tied the game at 13. Region 4-AAAAAAA play opens this weekend.

Next: Friday at South Gwinnett (Snellville).

7. Katy, Texas (3-0)

Previous: 8.

Recap: Trounced Seven Lakes (Katy), 59-3. The Tigers opened District 19-6A play with a third straight lopsided victory.

Next: Thursday at Katy Tompkins.

8. Chandler, Ariz. (2-0)

Previous: 9.

Recap: Defeated Pinnacle (Phoenix), 64-0. The Wolves were up 43-0 at halftime.

Next: Friday vs. Perry (Gilbert).

9. Corner Canyon, Draper, Utah (9-0)

Previous: 16.

Recap: QB Jaxson Dart rallied the Chargers from a 20-point halftime hole to defeat Skyridge (Lehi), 29-26. Trailing 26-6 at the break, the defense stiffened and Dart threw for four TDs passes and a two-point conversion. Dart’s 5-yard TD pass to junior WR Cody Hagen with :59 left gave the Chargers the lead at 27-26 and junior Dylan Carlson added the two-pointer. Junior LB Harrison Taggart made 13 tackles and picked off a pass. The regular season concludes with a short week with another challenge but the win streak moves to 35 games.

Next: Wednesday vs. American Fork.

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

Previous: 12.

Recap: Overwhelmed Del Valle (Auston), 58-0. The Chaps are averaging 56 points per game.

Next: Friday at San Marcos.

11. Duncanville, Texas (1-1)

Previous: 3.

Recap: Lost to No. 2 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla,), 41-14. The big matchup did not live up to the hype.

Next: Oct. 23 at Waco.

12. Northwestern, Miami (0-0)

Previous: 10.

Recap: Idle. The Bulls will face their rivals on opening night. That is must-see football!

Next: Oct. 23 vs. No. 5 Central (Miami).

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

Previous: 11.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday vs. Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville).

14. De Smet Jesuit, St. Louis (1-0)

Previous: 13.

Recap: QB Seth Marcione ran and passed for a TD and Ball State-bound RB Rico Barfield rushed for two scores as the Spartans finally got on the field and defeated archrival Christian Brothers College (St. Louis), 41-21. The Spartans led 24-14 after three quarters but tallied 17 points in the fourth to ice the win. There’s another Metro Catholic Conference rivalry on tap this weekend.

Next: Friday at Saint Louis University High (St. Louis).

15. St. Peter’s Prep, Jersey City, N.J. (2-0)

Previous: 14.

Recap: Defeated Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey), 21-7. The defense recorded five sacks and two INTs. QB Tahj Bullock accounted for all three TDs when the Marauders trailed 7-0. Bullock tossed two TDs of 12 and 15 yards in the second quarter and wrapped up the scoring in the third from 3 yards. It was announced earlier last week that Rich Hansen III will take over as head coach for his father following the season. Rich Hansen, who previously said he was retiring from coaching, has captured five state championships entering his 34^th season.

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

16. Trinity. Louisville, Ky. (4-0)

Previous: 15.

Recap: Defeated Ballard (Louisville), 40-0. The defense has allowed 31 points in four games.

Next: Oct. 23 at Eastern (Louisville).

17. Pickerington (Ohio) Central (7-0)

Previous: 17.

Recap: Defeated Grove City, 49-0, in the Division I, Region 3 first round. RB Nick Mosley carried 16 times for 118 and six TDs of 3, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 14 yards.

Next: Friday vs. Hilliard Darby in the region quarterfinals

18. Lowndes County, Valdosta, Ga. (5-0)

Previous: 18.

Recap: Defeated Valdosta, 33-21, in the Winnersville Classic. Jacurri Brown, the top-ranked dual threat QB in the junior class, was sensational, accounting for four TDs, two on the ground and two more in the air. Brown sealed the rivalry game with a 64-yard scoring gallop with 57.8 seconds left to break away from a 26-21 scoreline.

Next: Friday vs. Alcovy (Covington).

19. Owasso, Okla. (4-0)

Previous: 19.

Recap: Defeated Edmond North, 27-7.

Next: Thursday at Southmoore (Moore).

20. Bixby, Okla. (5-0)

Previous: 20.

Recap: Defeated Choctaw, 24-13. Junior RB Braylin Presley carried 28 times for 167 yards and three TDs.

Next: Thursday at Sand Springs.

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

Previous: 21.

Recap: Routed Pope John XIII (Sparta), 42-7. RB Ryan Butler and QB Steve Agneli scored two TDs apiece. Butler scored from 10 and 8 yards. DE Tywone Malone added a 15-yard pick-six in the second half.

Next: Saturday vs. Paramus Catholic.

22. Thompson, Alabaster, Ala. (8-0)

Previous: 22.

Recap: The Warriors recrd their second shutout of the campaign, beating Gadsden City, 48-0.

Next: Friday at Oak Mountain (Birmingham).

23. Center Grove, Greenwood, Ind. (8-0)

Previous: 24.

Recap: Defeated Lawrence North (Indianapolis), 28-13. The regular season finale pits the Trojans against the state’s top-ranked and unbeaten Class 5A squad.

Next: Friday vs. Cathedral (Indianapolis). After that the Trojan open the postseason in the Class 6A, Sectional 8 semifinals against Columbus North on Oct. 30.

24. Dutch Fork, Irmo, S.C. (3-0)

Previous: 25.

Recap: The win streak was extended to 43 games as the Silver Foxes romped over River Bluff (Lexington), 41-7. QB Will Taylor threw for 334 yards and four TDs, including two to WR Antonio Williams (10 receptions, 193 yards).

Next: Friday at Lexington.

25. Archbishop Hoban, Akron, Ohio (5-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: The Knights enter the Elite 25 as Ohio’s top-ranked Division II team. Last weekend they earned a playoff bye.

Next: Friday vs. Roosevelt (Kent) in Division II, Region 5 playoffs.

Dropped out: No. 23 Denton (Texas) Ryan.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. North Allegheny, Wexford, Pa. (4-0)
2. Central Dauphin, Harrisburg, Pa. (3-0)
3. St. Joseph Regional, Montvale, N.J. (1-1)
4. Pine-Richland, Gibsonia, Pa. (4-0)
5. Williamstown, N.J. (2-0)

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 (8-0)
2. Belleville, Mich. (4-0)
3. Century, Bismarck, N.D. (5-0)
4. Coffman, Dublin, Ohio (7-0)
5. Muskego, Wis. (3-0)

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

Southland

1. Allen, Texas (2-0)
2. Hoover, Ala. (8-0)
3. Starkville, Miss. (5-0)
4. Archbishop Rummel. Metairie, La. (1-0)
5. Bryant, Ark. (5-0)…bye, 10/16

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

Far West

1. Saguaro, Scottsdale, Ariz. (1-0)
2. Hamilton, Chandler, Ariz. (2-0)
3. Coeur d’Alene, Idaho (5-0)
4. Lone Peak, Highland, Utah (8-1)
5. Skyridge, Lehi, Utah (7-2)

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.