QUARTERBACK HIGH: Devin Brown electrifying No. 15 Corner Canyon (UT) Chargers, signal-caller position; No. 21 Milton (GA) enters Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings

BENSALEM, Pa. – It’s good to be back, high school football fans. A total of 11 teams from the Blue Star Media Elite 25 high school football rankings have played games and 11 more teams will commence their campaigns this weekend.

Through two weekends in Utah, quarterback Devin Brown is the bomb. Really, the senior transfer slinger is helping No. 15 Corner Canyon (Draper, Utah) pick up from where it left off last November, stretching the win streak to 50 games with a pair of victories and aiming for a fourth consecutive state championship. Brown, who transferred in from Queen Creek (Ariz.), has passed for 11 touchdowns, including eight on one half, and sprinted for another score. The Chargers are 2-0 and have a rivalry game Friday with Bingham (South Jordan).

Brown, a USC receipt, took the QB baton from Gatorade National Player of the Jaxson Dart, who is playing for the Trojans. Before that Zach Wilson, a first round selection of the New York Jets in April, quarterbacked the Chargers and then Brigham Young. That lineage continues to prosper.

Only four teams shifted position in the Elite 25. No. 25 Central (Miami) tumbled four slots after a loss at No. 2 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.). The Tornadoes remain in the Elite 25 and have a chance at redemption in two weeks with a game at No. 19 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas).

No. 21 Milton (Alpharetta, Ga.), who some feel is Georgia’s top Class AAAAAAA team, joins the Elite 25 after a decisive win and strong schedule on the horizon.

No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) make a rare road trip to Texas on Friday when the Monarchs meet No. 18 Duncanville in a contest with national ramifications. No. 12 Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) has an intriguing matchup at regionally-ranked Archbishop Hoban (Akron, Ohio) Friday. Hoban is the defending Ohio Division II champions and won last weekend.

The action picks up from now until late December and we’ll have it all documented at Blue Star Media. Our America’s Schoolboy Game updates will start on Sept. 3 when the nation. Keep out site bookmarked and check us out on Twitter at @clawlor.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 rankings will return on Aug. 29. That will push us another week closer to the full rollout of the states. Everyone is ready to play with the exception of Hawaii’s public schools. The Interscholastic League of Honolulu or the private schools from the island of Oahu are playing but a limited schedule through October.

Stay tuned to the ESPN family of networks starting Thursday for a four-day run of seven high school football games. There’s plenty of Elite 25 teams and future stars televised on the showcase weekend. We’ll link to the schedule here.

Keep strong and we hope to see you at a game soon. – Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Football Rankings, August 24, 2021

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

Previous rank: 1.

Recap: Idle. The Monarchs original season opener with Corona Centennial was canceled.

Next: Friday at No. 18 Duncanville (Texas).

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

Previous: 2.

Recap: Defeated No. 21 Central (Miami, Fla.), 35-12. The Braves raced to a quick 21-0 in the first period and were not threatened. RB Jabari Bates scored three touchdowns.

Next: Friday vs. Alemany (Mission Hills).

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

Previous: 3.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday at Temple.

4. Collins Hill, Suwanee, Ga. (1-0)

Previous: 4.

Recap: Defeated Brookwood (Snellville), 36-10, at the Corky Kell Classic in Atlanta. The Eagles peeled off 21 points in the second quarter to rally. QB Sam Horn, a Florida State recruit, accounted for four TDs.

Next: Friday at Sprayberry (Marietta).

5. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (1-0)

Previous: 5.

Recap: Defeated American Heritage (Plantation), 35-15. The Ascenders were up 15-9 at halftime before pouring it on in the final 24 minutes. This weekend they play a nationally televised contest at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

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

6. Thompson, Alabaster, Ala. (1-0)

Previous: 6.

Recap: Defeated Oxford, 55-0. Alabama’s two-time defending Class 7A champions led by 21 points through one quarter.

Next: Friday vs. Sparkman (Harvest).

7. Katy, Texas (0-0)

Previous: 7.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday vs. Clear Springs (League City).

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

Previous: 8.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Saturday vs. No. 14 St. Frances Academy (Baltimore).

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

Previous: 9.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Thursday vs. Highland Park (Dallas).

10. Chandler, Ariz. (0-0)

Previous: 10.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Sept. 3 vs. Centennial (Peoria).

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

Previous: 11.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Sept. 3 vs. St. Mary’s Ryken (Leonardtown, Md.) to be played in Piscataway, N.J.

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

Previous: 12.

Recap: Idle. Big game, big opponent on opening weekend.

Opens: Friday at Archbishop Hoban (Akron, Ohio).

13. Bixby, Okla. (0-0)

Previous: 13.

Recap: Idle.

Opens: Friday vs. Mansfield (Texas) Timberview.

14. St Frances Academy, Baltimore (0-0)

Previous: 14.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Saturday at No. 8 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.).

15. Corner Canyon, Draper, Utah (2-0)

Previous: 15.

Recap: Defeated Farmington, 72-21, and East (Salt Lake City), 42-7, in Charger Kickoff Classic.

USC-bound QB Devin Brown tossed eight TDs passes in the first half in the win at Farmington. Brown then accounted for four scores, three passing, in a blowout of East. The Chargers have a huge early-season rivalry game this weekend.

Next: Friday vs. Bingham (South Jordan).

16. North Shore, Galena Park, Texas (0-0)

Previous: 16.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday at Shadow Creek (Pearland).

17. St. Xavier, Cincinnati (1-0)

Previous: 17.

Recap: Defeated Lakota West (West Chester, Ohio), 31-14. The Bombers trailed 14-3 in the first half but rallied to win at the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown. RB Charles Kellom rushed for 101 yards and two scores. Alex Kemper paced the defense with 6 tackles and a sack.

Next: Friday at Colerain (Cincinnati).

18. Duncanville, Texas (0-0)

Previous: 18.

Recap: Idle. The Panthers can make a statement in a nationally charged contest.

Next: Friday vs. No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.).

19. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (1-0)

Previous: 19.

Recap: Blasted Saint Louis School (Honolulu), 42-21. The Gaels tallied 21 points in the second quarter to size command. Boston College-bound RB Cam Barfield busted out of the gate with 137 yards and five TDs on 15 carries.

Next: Friday vs. Bishop Manogue (Reno).

20. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (0-0)

Previous: 20.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday at St. Mary’s (Stockton).

21. Milton, Alpharetta, Ga. (1-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Defeated Hapeville Charter (Atlanta), 45-0. The Eagles land in the Elite 25 but an unforgiving schedule over the first five games could prove too much.

Next: Friday at North Cobb (Kennesaw).

22. Servite, Anaheim, Calif. (1-0)

Previous: 23.

Recap: Defeated Edison (Huntington Beach), 54-14. Arizona-bound QB Noah Fifita tossed three TD passes.

Next: Thursday vs. Mission Viejo.

23. Center Grove, Greenwood, Ind. (1-0)

Previous: 24.

Recap: Defeated Warren Central (Indianapolis), 38-14. QB Tayven Jackson passed for 149 yards and one TD and run for another.

Next: Friday vs. Decatur Central (Indianapolis).

24. Oscar Smith, Chesapeake, Va. (0-0)

Previous: 25.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday vs. Deep Creek (Chesapeake).

25. Central, Miami, Fla. (0-1)

Previous: 21.

Recap: Lost to No. 2 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), 35-12. The Tornadoes return out West for a second straight game over the Labor Day Weekend.

Next: Sept. 4 at No. 19 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas).

Dropped: No. 22 Lowndes County (Valdosta, Ga.).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. St. Peter’s Prep, Jersey City, N.J. (0-0)
2. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (0-0)
3. Gonzaga, Washington, D.C. (0-0)
4. Iona Prep, New Rochelle, N.Y. (0-0)
5. St. Joseph Regional, Montvale, N.J. (0-0)

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

Midwest

1. St. Edward, Lakewood, Ohio (1-0)
2. Archbishop Hoban, Akron, Ohio (1-0)
3. Cathedral, Indianapolis (1-0)
4. La Salle, Cincinnati (1-0)
5. Carmel, Ind. (1-0)

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

Southland

1. Northwestern, Miami (0-0)
2. Hoover, Ala. (1-0)
3. Denton (Texas) Ryan (0-0)
4. Buford, Ga. (1-0)
5. Oakland, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (1-0)

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

Far West

1. Hamilton, Chandler, Ariz. (0-0)
2. Cathedral Catholic, San Diego (1-0)
3. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (1-0)
4. Valor Christian, Highlands Ranch, Colo. (0-0)
5. Lone Peak, Highland, Utah (2-0)

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.