ROCKET MEN: No. 23 Miami Central (FL) re-enters Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings; No. 24 St. John’s (DC) Cadets march to WCAC title

BENSALEM, Pa. — Hark, we have a state champion finally anointed from the Blue Star Media Elite 25 high school football rankings.

Drum roll, please. And the honor belongs to No. 20 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), which annexed another Nevada Interscholastic Athletic Association title, thumping McQueen (Reno), 56-7. That’s 11 titles in the last 13 years (not counting 2020 when Nevada cancelled the season). Bravo, Gaels!

There’s more of it this weekend with state championships determined in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York (Catholic schools), New Jersey (first of two weekends), Oregon (Class 6A is the following weekend) and Washington (D.C.).

The season will conclude most of the of the Midwestern states with the exception of Ohio, which goes the first week in December. Great time of year and it will all unfold over the next four weekends.

There are two additions to the Elite 25 rankings with No. 23 Central (Miami) rejoining and No. 24 St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.). Central started the season with two straight losses to Elite 25 teams St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) and Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas).

The Central Rockets (9-2) are going for another state championship in Florida Class 5A this year season after winning it in Class 6A a year ago. They already won the District 15-5A chip and are three wins from a second straight. This weekend Central stays home to face Killian (Miami) in the Region 4 final.

SJC (11-0) completed an unblemished campaign in one of the nation’s best, capturing the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Capital title on Sunday in a 30-14 victory over Good Counsel (Olney, Md.). QB Wyatt Hagan’s tossed three touchdowns in the first half and the second half went scoreless. Congratulations to coach Pat Ward and the Cadets for this accomplishment. Well, done, lads!

 Elsewhere, southern California was the epicenter for second season football last weekend as two highly visible games helped reshape the top of the Elite 25 rankings.

 No. 7 Servite (Anaheim, Calif.) leapfrogged 10 spots in the Elite 25 rankings following a 40-21 win over then-No. 3 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) in the CIF-Southern Section Division I semifinals. The Friars (10-2) have a hefty task Friday when they meet archrivals and top-ranked Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) in the section final. Mater Dei held off then-No. 10 Corona (Calif.) Centennial, 21-16, in the other semifinal.

 That’s it for third week in November. Exciting times and high drama are ready to take hold.

The rankings will return on Nov. 30. In portions of the Northeast there are Thanksgiving Day games and that’s a great tradition to relive after a year off for pandemic reasons.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving and God’s Blessings to your family and friends.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Football Rankings, Nov. 23, 2021

1. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (10-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Recap: Defeated then No. 10 Corona Centennial, 21-16 in CIF-Southern Section, Division 1 semifinals. The great teams find a way to win facing adversity. Centennial entered the game with a perfect record in 11 games.

Next: Friday vs. No. 7 Servite (Anaheim) in CIF-Southern Section, Division 1 final to be played at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Long Beach.

2. Westlake, Austin, Texas (12-0)

Previous: 2.

Recap: Defeated New Braunfels, 70-7, in the Class 6A, Division II Area playoff game.

Next: Friday vs. PSJA North (Pharr) in the Class 6A, Division II, Region 4 semifinals to be played at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

3. Collins Hill, Suwanee, Ga. (12-0)

Previous: 4.

Recap: Defeated Pebblebrook (Mableton), 48-6, in the Class 7A second round.

Next: Friday vs. Lowndes County (Valdosta) in Class 7A quarterfinals.

4. Katy, Texas (12-0)

Previous: 6.

Recap: Defeated Strafford (Houston), 59-7, in the Class 6A, Division II Area playoff game. The Tigers’ high-powered offense has outscored two playoff opponents, 115-14.

Next: Friday vs. King (Houston) in the Class 6A, Division II, Region 3 semifinals.

5. Southlake (Texas) Carroll (12-0)

Previous: 7.

Recap: Defeated Midland Legacy, 42-7, in the Class 6A, Division I Area playoff game.

Next: Saturday vs. Lewisville in the Class 6A, Division I Region 1 semifinals.

6. Bergen Catholic, Oradell, N.J. (11-0)

Previous: 8.

Recap: Defeated St. Peter’s Prep (Jersey City), 35-10, in the Non-Public A semifinals. Princeton-bound RB Ryan Butler helped seal the win with two rushing scores in the second half and became the school’s second player to surpass 3,000 career rushing yards.

Next: Saturday vs. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey) in Non-Public A championship game to be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.

7. Servite, Anaheim, Calif. (10-2)

Previous: 17.

Recap: Defeated then-No. 3 St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 40-21, in the CIF-Southern Section, Division 1 semifinals. Arizona-bound QB Noah Fifita rushed for 139 yards and three TDs on 20 carries. RB/S Houston Thomas’ 71-yard TD late in the third quarter gave the Friars the lead for good at 27-21. Thomas picked off a pass on Bosco’s next possession that led to Ethan Scafidi’s 3-yard scoring run. Fifita’s 1-yard run closed out the scoring with 5:53 left. It was the Friars’ first win over their Trinity League rivals since October 2011. Coach Troy Thomas collected his 100^th career win.

Next: Friday vs. No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana) in the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 final to be played at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Long Beach.

8. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (10-2)

Previous: 3.

Recap: Lost to then-No. 17 Servite (Anaheim), 40-21, in the CIF-Southern Section Division semifinals. The Braves had two costly turnovers in the fourth quarter that led to 13 points to break away from a 27-21 scoreline. Servite scored the game’s final 20 points. Season complete.

9. Hamilton, Chandler, Ariz. (10-0)

Previous: 11.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday vs. American Leadership Academy (Queen City) in the Arizona Open Division quarterfinals.

10. Jesuit, Tampa, Fla. (12-0)

Previous: 15.

Recap: Defeated Braden River (Bradenton), 49-9, in the Class 6A, Region 3 semifinals.

Next: Friday vs. Hillsborough (Tampa) in the Class 6A, Region 3 final.

11. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (11-1)

Previous: 16.

Recap: Defeated Miramar, 42-12, in Class 7A, Region 4 semifinals. The Raiders are back in the region final.

Next: Friday vs. Homestead in Class 7A, Region 4 final.

12. St Frances Academy, Baltimore (8-1)

Previous: 19.

Recap: Defeated No. 5 IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.), 34-24. A signature win for the Panthers to close out the season in Florida. The Panthers do not compete for a postseason championship. Season complete.

13. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (9-1)

Previous: 5.

Recap: . Lost to then-No. 19 St. Frances Academy (Baltimore), 34-24. The Ascenders were upended at home in the regular-season finale and do not play for a state championship. Season complete.

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

Previous: 13.

Recap: Defeated then-No. 9 Hoover, 35-10, in the Class 7A semifinals. The Warrior avenged a regular-season loss that cost them the Region 3 title, but they are back in the championship encounter.

Next: Dec. 1 vs. Phenix City Central in the Class 7A final.

15. Bixby, Okla. (12-0)

Previous: 11.

Recap: Defeated Stillwater, 48-6, in Class 6A-II semifinals. The Spartans return to the state championship game and were up 45-6 at halftime.

Next: Dec. 2 vs. Deer Creek (Edmond) in Class 6A-II final.

16. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (11-1)

Previous: 10.

Recap: No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 21-16 in the CIF-Southern Section, Division 1 semifinals. Season complete.

17. Chandler, Ariz. (9-1)

Previous: 14.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday vs. Queen Creek in the Arizona Open Division quarterfinals.

18. Milton, Alpharetta, Ga. (11-1)

Previous: 18.

Recap: Defeated Marietta, 28-6, in Class 7A second round.

Next: Friday vs. Mill Creek (Hoschton) in the Class 7A quarterfinals

19. Center Grove, Greenwood, Ind. (13-0)

Previous: 20.

Recap: Defeated Ben Davis (Indianapolis), 45-6, in Class 6A Semistate. The Trojans make their third consecutive appearance in the Class 6A title game.

Next: Saturday vs. Westfield in Class 6A final to be played Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

20. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (12-1)*

Previous: 22.

Recap: Won Class 5A state championship, defeating McQueen (Reno), 56-7. The Gaels scored TDs on all even possessions and added a defensive score to capture an 11^th title in 13 years. Nevada did not conduct a season in 2020 for COVID-19 reasons. The Gaels piled up 549 yards of offense to 99 for the Lancers. Sophomore QB Micah Alejado tossed scoring passes to Jonathan Brady, Zach Branch and Elija Lofton and Maleik Pabon. LB Jamih Otis added a scoop-and-scored in the first half when the Gaels took a 42-0 lead. Season complete.

21. Valor Christian, Highlands Ranch, Colo. (12-0)

Previous: 24.

Recap: Defeated Columbine (Littleton), 17-7, in the Class 5A quarterfinals. In the game, Oklahoma-bound RB Gavin Sawchuk rushed for 180 yards on 41 carries upping his career total to 5,477 yards to move by Christian McCaffrey’s previous program mark of 5,340 yards, set in 2013.
Next: Friday vs. Grandview (Aurora) in Class 5A semifinals.

22. St. Edward, Lakewood, Ohio (13-1)

Previous: 25.

Recap: Defeated top-ranked Medina, 41-6, in the Division I, Region 1 final. The Eagles keep the run for a fifth state championship alive with a convincing win over a quality opponent. RB Danny Enovitch ran it in from 1 and 16 yards for a 14-6 lead in the first quarter. WR Ryan Miklich added three TDs catches of 26, 35 and 64 yards from QB Christian Ramos and Josh Gribble added a 25-yard TD run in the fourth quarter to close it out.

Next: Friday vs. Upper Arlington in n the Division I semifinals.

23. Central, Miami (9-2)

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: The Rockets re-enter the Elite 25 rankings after peeling off nine straight wins, including two in the postseason. Last weekend, they held off American Heritage (Plantation), 41-28, in the Class 5A, Region 4 semifinals. The Rockets need three wins to successfully defend their state title.

Next: Saturday vs. Killian (Miami) in the Class 5A, Region 4 final.

24. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (11-0)*

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Won the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Capital championship, defeating Good Counsel (Olney, Md.), 30-14, in the final. The Cadets return to the Elite 25 on a high note. QB Wyatt Hagan fired TD passes to D.J. Linkins, Sean Williams and Asa Greg in the first half to propel the Cadets. Season complete.

25. Hoover, Ala. (12-1)

Previous: 9.

Recap: Lost to then-No. 13 Thompson (Alabaster), 35-10, in Class 7A semifinals. The Bucs stay in the Elite 25 but for how long? Season complete.

Dropped: No. 21 Corner Canyon (Draper, Utah) and No. 23 Loyola Academy (Wilmette, Ill.).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Oscar Smith, Chesapeake, Va. (10-1)
2. Stone Bridge, Ashburn, Va. (12-0)
3. Iona Prep, New Rochelle, N.Y. (10-1)*
4. Mount Lebanon, Pittsburgh (12-0)
5. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (9-2)*

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 (13-1)
2. Lakeville (Minn.) South (12-0)
3. De La Salle Collegiate, Warren, Mich. (12-0)
4. Upper Arlington, Ohio (13-0)
5. Franklin, Wis. (14-0)*

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

Southland

1. Oakland, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (13-0)
2. Dutch Fork, Irmo, S.C. (11-0)
3. Male, Louisville, Ky. (12-0)
4. Zachary, La. (12-0)
5. Central, Phenix City, Ala. (13-0)

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

Far West

1. St. Francis, Mountain View, Calif. (11-0)
2. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (10-2)
3. Graham (Wash.)-Kapowsin (12-0)
4. Central Catholic, Portland, Ore. (12-0)
5. Lone Peak, Highland, Utah (10-2)*

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

 *Won state or postseason conference championship

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.