BENSALEM, Pa. – Now comes the fun part of the Blue Star Media Elite 25 high school football rankings: Playoffs.

The season is reaching the nitty-gritty portion as the state champions will start popping up weekly and playoff is spreading wildly with the exception of Alaska, which conducted its state championships last month.

Texas is the final state to join the postseason bash and will kick off six weeks of mayhem this weekend. The UIL won’t conclude their state championships until the weekend of Dec. 20-22 in Arlington, Texas. This week Wisconsin, Utah, Iowa and the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference will hold championship games. Then each weekend a host of states will follow suit. We’ll keep you informed on all the relevant happenings as they pertain to the Elite 25 rankings.

This weekend playoff games in south Florida and southern California will have an impact on the Elite 25. That’s guaranteed!

We also have two additions to the Elite 25 and both are from the powerful Southland Region.

No. 19 Longview (Texas) concluded a perfect regular season and won the outright District 5-6A title. The Lobos host a first-round playoff game on Friday in Class 6A, Division II.

No. 25 John Curtis Christian (River Ridge, La.) also went 10-0 in the regular season and is the No. 1 seed in Louisiana Division 1 (the large private school bracket). The Patriots received a bye to the quarterfinals, where they play Jesuit (New Orleans) on Friday.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings will return on November 20. Keep those affected by the recent wildfires throughout California in your thoughts and prayers. There’s a lot of heartache in communities especially in northern California.

Remember the clock is ticking in your state so make sure to get out to game before time runs out on another season. Hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Football Rankings, Nov. 13, 2018

1. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (12-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Recap: Defeated San Clemente, 56-6, in the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 quarterfinals. Junior QB DJ Uiagalelei tossed two touchdown passes and sophomore Jode McDuffie returned a punt 76 yards for a score.

Next: Friday vs. No. 22 Oaks Christian School (Westlake Village) in the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 semifinals.

2. Allen, Texas (10-0)

Previous: 2.

Recap: Defeated Plano West, 63-7. The Eagles scored on six of its first-half possessions and have now won 65 straight regular season games.

Next: Friday vs. Rowlett in the Class 6A, Division I bi-district playoff

3. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (10-2) #

Previous: 3.

Recap: Defeated Mission Viejo, 56-17, in the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 quarterfinals. The Monarchs trailed early but poured it on in the third quarter. They have a marquee at home this weekend.

Next: Friday vs. No. 6 Corona (Calif.) Centennial in the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 semifinals.

4. Carol City, Miami Gardens, Fla. (9-2) @

Previous: 4.

Recap: Defeated Norland (Miami), 34-0, in the Class 6A, Region 4 quarterfinals. The Chiefs secured their fourth official shutout of the term.

Next: Friday at No. 12 Central (Miami) in the Region 4 semifinals.

5. Colquitt County, Norman Park, Ga. (11-0)

Previous: 5.

Recap: Crushed Etowah (Woodstock), 34-5, in the Class AAAAAAA first round.

Next: Friday vs. McEachern (Powder Springs) in the Class AAAAAAA second round.

6. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (12-0)

Previous: 7.

Recap: Defeated Rancho Cucamonga, 58-20, in the CIF-Southern Section, Division 1 quarterfinals. The Wolves scored on their first seven possessions. Carter Freedland and Thomas Kinslow ran for two TDs apiece. And now the moment of truth that could define a season is within touching distance for the Inland Empire power.

Next: Friday at No. 3 Mater Dei (Santa Ana) in the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 semifinals.

7. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (11-0)

Previous: 8.

Recap: Shut out Pittsburg, 38-0, in CIF-North Coast Section Open Division semifinals.

Next: Nov. 23 or 24 vs. Liberty (Brentwood) or Clayton Valley Charter (Concord) in the CIF-North Coast Section Open Division final.

8. Warren Central, Indianapolis (12-0)

Previous: 9.

Recap: Defeated North Central (Indianapolis), 42-32, in the Class 6A regionals. RB Romeir Elliott ran for 242 yards and four TDs, including on from 43 yards in the final two minutes to seal it. QB Jayden George hit on 13 of 24 passes for 251 yards and a score.

Next: Friday vs. Center Grove in the Class 6A Semistate.

9. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (8-0)

Previous: 10.

Recap: The Panthers were awarded a forfeit win from COP Academy (Columbus, Ohio).

Next: Friday vs. West Toronto Prep (Ontario, Canada).

10. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (7-1)

Previous: 11.

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

11. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (9-1)

Previous: 6.

Recap: Upset by Gonzaga (Washington), 24-14, in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference semifinals. Season complete.

12. Central, Miami (9-2)

Previous: 12.

Recap: Defeated Dillard (Fort Lauderdale), 35-20, in the Class 6A, Region 4 quarterfinals. Now it is “show time” in the regional semifinals. Easily the nation’s top matchup this weekend and shame it’s so early in the playoffs.

Next: Friday vs. No. 4 Carol City (Miami Gardens, Fla.) in the Region 4 semifinals.

13. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (10-1)

Previous: 13.

Recap: Overwhelmed South Miami, 77-20, in the Class 7A, Region 4 quarterfinals.

Next: Friday vs. Fort Lauderdale High in the Region 4 semifinals.

14. Rome, Ga. (11-0)

Previous: 14.

Recap: Routed Jackson (Atlanta), 62-14, in the Class AAAAA first round. North Carolina State-bound RB Jamious Griffin scored the Wolves’ first four TDs—all on the ground.

Next: Friday vs. Cedar Shoals (Athens) in the Class AAAAA second round

15. Saint Louis, Honolulu (9-0)

Previous: 15.

Recap: Idle. The Crusaders are two wins from a state championship.

Next: Friday vs. Kahuku in Hawaii Open Division semifinals.

16. Dutch Fork, Irmo, S.C. (9-0)

Previous: 17.

Recap: Blanked South Florence (Florence), 54-0, in the Class AAAAA Upper State first round.

Next: Friday vs. West Ashley (Charleston) in the second round.

17. Colerain, Cincinnati (12-0)

Previous: 18.

Recap: Defeated Milford in Division I, Region 4 semifinals. The defense manufactured three consecutive pick-sixes in the first half by Ivan Pace, Jr. (from 44 yards), Jakari Patterson (100 yards) and Syncere Jones (38 yards) to ice the win.

Next: Friday vs. Elder (Cincinnati) in the Region 4 final

18. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (9-0)

Previous: 19.

Recap: Defeated La Salle College (Wyndmoor, Pa.), 23-13, in the Class AAAAAA Catholic League final. The Hawks pocket their third straight league title.

Next: Saturday at Northeast (Philadelphia) in the Class AAAAAA, District 12 final

19. Longview, Texas (10-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Defeated Mesquite, 55-24, in the regular season finale. The Lobos scored the final five TDs and won the outright District 5-6A district title. Keilyn Williams and Jessie Anderson rushed for two TDs apiece.

Next: Friday vs. Copperas Cove in the Class 6A Division II bi-district playoff.

20. Bergen Catholic, Oradell, N.J. (9-1)

Previous: 20.

Recap: Defeated Seton Hall Prep (West Orange), 42-6, in Non-Public Group 4 quarterfinals.

Next: Saturday vs. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey) in the Non-Public Group 4 semifinals

21. Converse (Texas) Judson (9-0)

Previous: 21.

Recap: Defeated Clemens (Schertz), 49-7. RB Sincere McCormick rushed for 141 yards and scored three TDs and QB Mike Chandler tossed two for two scores. The regular season is over and the Rockets are off to the playoffs.
Next: Friday vs. Hays (Buda) in the Class 6A, Division I bi-district playoff.

22. Oaks Christian School, Westlake Village, Calif. (12-0)

Previous: 22.

Recap: Stopped then-No. 25 JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano), 35-34, in CIF-Southern Section Division 1 quarterfinals. Garth White booted a 26-yard field goal with 26 seconds left to provide the winning points.

Next: Friday vs. No. 1 St. John Bosco in the CIF-Southern Section, Division 1 semifinals.

23. Centennial, Peoria, Ariz. (12-0)

Previous: 23.

Recap: Defeated Cienega (Vail), 55-7, in the 5A quarterfinals.

Next: Friday vs. Highley (Gilbert) in the 5A semifinals to be played at Willow Canyon High School in Surprise.

24. Chandler, Ariz. (11-1)

Previous: 24.

Recap: Defeated Mountain Pointe (Phoenix), 49-21, in the 6A quarterfinals. RB DeCarlos Brooks ran for six TDs for the two-time defending state champion Wolves.

Next: Friday vs. Highland (Gilbert) in the 6A semifinals to be played at Hamilton High School in Chandler.

25. John Curtis Christian, River Ridge, La. (10-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Idle. The top-seeded Patriots received a bye to the quarterfinals after capturing the district title.

Next: Friday vs. Jesuit (New Orleans) in Division 1 quarterfinals.

Dropped: No.  16 North Shore (Galena Park, Texas) and No. 25 JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Coatesville, Pa. (12-0)
2. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (8-2)
3. Westfield, Chantilly, Va. (11-0)
4. Colonial Forge, Stafford, Va. (10-0)
5. Harrisburg, Pa. (11-1)

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

Midwest

1. Archbishop Hoban, Akron, Ohio (12-0)
2. Christian Brothers College, St. Louis (10-1)
3. Lincoln-Way East, Frankfort, Ill. (12-0)
4. Burke, Omaha, Neb. (12-0)
5. Lakeville (Minn.) North (11-0)

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

Southland

1. Mallard Creek, Charlotte, N.C. (9-0)
2. West Monroe, La. (11-0)
3. Broken Arrow, Okla. (11-0)
4. Trinity Christian Academy, Jacksonville, Fla. (11-0)
5. Hattiesburg, Miss. (12-0)

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

Far West

1. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (8-3)
2. Folsom, Calif. (10-1)
3. Valor Christian, Highlands Ranch, Colo. (11-0)
4. Eastside Catholic, Sammamish, Wash. (9-1)
5. Liberty, Brentwood, Calif. (10-0)

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

# Includes a forfeit loss

 @ Includes two forfeit losses

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 in late December. Follow him on Twitter at #clawlor.