BENSALEM, Pa. – Round 1 is in the books and the newly-minted No. 1 football team in the Blue Star Media Elite 25 rankings is Mater Dei (Santa, Calif.).

That’s for now. The season isn’t quite over but Mater Dei notches a quality victory on the road.

A year ago, Mater Dei lost to St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) in the regular season only to turn the tables in the CIF-Southern Section playoffs and eventually bag the CIF Open Division Bowl Championship and Blue Star Media National Championship. Well, last Friday the Monarchs reigned supreme and clinched the Trinity League championship after a 38-24 victory over then-No. 1 St. John Bosco. Quarterback Bryce Young threw for 256 yards and three scores and ran for two more.

Mater Dei had an answer the entire game and SJB was baffled. Too much pitch-and-catch combination of Young and WR Kody Epps as they teamed up for three touchdown passes.

Simply put, the Monarchs were a “royal pain” in the neck.

The No. 3 Braves suffered their first loss of the campaign, slipping two spaces and allowing No. 2 Duncanville (Texas) to rise a spot in the Elite 25. Duncanville is Texas’ top-ranked Class 6A team and has two games left in the regular season.

Back in southern California, Mater Dei and SJB will conclude the regular season this Friday and await the draw for the Southern Section playoffs that kick off on the weekend of Nov. 8-9.

Expect Round 2 to be played in the Southern Division playoffs. That’s when the stakes are taken to another level.

Now that the Elite 25 donnybrook is complete, it back to the close of the regular season. For the second time this season the Elite 25 remain static. That won’t be the trend once the playoffs get underway in the power states such as Texas, California, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Illinois, New Jersey and Ohio.

Speaking of the postseason here’s a shout out to 49^th state or the Last Frontier.

Well, Alaska was the first state to compete its season and wrapped up football last weekend when South Anchorage stopped Service (Anchorage), 27-13, in the Division I (large school) championship. The temperatures in Anchorage on Friday were hovering around 40 degrees with rain. The previous weekend, Soldotna won the Division II title and Houston took home the hardware in Division III.

Congratulations to all three Alaskan champions!

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 rankings will return on November 5.

If you haven’t already attended a game this season be sure to get out this weekend. Enjoy Halloween in your hometown. We hope to see you at a game soon. — Christopher Lawlor

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Football Rankings Oct. 29, 2019

1. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (9-0)

Previous rank: 2.

Recap: Defeated No. 1 St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 38-14. A dominant offense and costly, unforced turnovers were key ingredients for coach Bruce Rollinson’s squad. The Monarchs were flagged for 10 penalties but used a kept SJB out of the end zone from four downs inside the 10-yard line with five minutes left and went on to win it. Clemson-bound QB Bryce Young accounted for five TDs, including a pair on the ground. Young gave his team a 38-17 lead on a 7-yard run heading into the fourth quarter. The Monarchs wasted little time in the first taking a 14-3 when Young scored from the 1 and hooked up with WR Kody Epps for a 51-yard scoring strike. The duo connected again in the second quarter extending the lead to 18 points, 21-3, from 11 yards. Epps caught 10 balls for 160 yards and three TDs. The Monarchs finish the regular season with a home game in the Trinity.

Next: Friday vs. JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano).

2. Duncanville, Texas (8-0)

Previous: 3.

Recap: Shut out WT White (Dallas), 48-0. The Panthers scored 23 points in the first quarter and limited the opposition to minus-9 yards of offense. RB Roderick Daniels ran for two TDs to pace the ground game. Two games remain in the season.

Next: Friday vs. Richardson.

3. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (8-1)

Previous: 1.

Recap: Lost to No. 2 Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 38-24. QB DJ Uiagalelei hit on 16 of 29 passes for 283 yards and two TDs and one interception. The Braves never led and had a chance to pull within seven points with 5:01 left in the game but a drive installed at the Mater Dei 10. The Braves were down 24-10 at halftime as a late turnover led to a field goal and 14-point hole. Logan Loya figured prominently into Bosco’s early scoring with a field goal, extra-point and 8-yard pass from Uiagalelei in the second quarter, reducing the deficit to 21-10. Hard to believe but the regular season ends this Friday in southern California.

Next: Friday vs. Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita).

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

Previous: 4.

Recap: Shut down Fort Lauderdale, 42-0. The Raiders have allowed just 73 points in eight games. RB Jaeden Henry rushed for two TDs and  Philjae Bien-aime added another when Aquinas did all the scoring in the first half. The Raiders bagged the District 14-7A title and now close out the regular season.

Next: Friday vs. Western (Davie).

5. Katy, Texas (8-0)

Previous: 5.

Recap: Defeated Cinco Ranch (Katy), 42-0. The Tigers posted a second straight shutout entering their penultimate game.

Next: Friday vs, Mayde Creek (Houston).

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

Previous: 6.

Recap: Defeated St. Thomas More (Oakdale, Conn.), 40-13. The Panthers made it look easy, scoring 21 points in the first quarter and 10 more in the second for a commanding 31-0 edge at intermission.

Next: Saturday vs. Clarkson Football North (Mississauga, Ontario).

7. Saint Louis School, Honolulu (9-0)

Previous: 7.

Recap: Idle. The Raiders will be well rested for their first playoff game.

Next: Friday vs. Punahou School (Honolulu) in Interscholastic League of Honolulu Open Division final at Aloha Stadium.

8. Allen, Texas (8-0)

Previous: 8.

Recap: Shut out McKinney Boyd, 24-0. SMU-bound QB Raylen Sharpe sprinted 7 and 19 yards for TDs, and RB Jordan Johnson sped 54 yards for a score and carried for 131 yards.

Next: Friday at Prosper.

9. Lakeland, Fla. (10-0)

Previous: 9.

Recap: Defeated Kathleen (Lakeland), 51-6, in a game that was halted at halftime due to tornado warnings. The Dreadnaughts have a week off prior to the postseason but not before completing their 17^th undefeated regular season.

Next: Nov. 8 vs TBD in Class 7A regional quarterfinals.

10. North Shore, Galena Park, Texas (7-1)

Previous: 10.

Recap: Defeated West Brook (Beaumont), 54-25. Dematrius Davis scored TD runs of 1 and 46 yards in the first quarter.

Next: Friday vs. Beaumont United.

11. Dutch Fork, Irmo, S.C. (8-0-1)

Previous: 11.

Recap: Idle. After a week off, the Silver Foxes are juiced for a fourth straight state championship run.

Next: Friday at White Knoll (Lexington).

12. Lowndes County, Valdosta, Ga. (9-0)

Previous: 12.

Recap: Defeated Camden County (Kingsland), 45-13. This weekend will have a playoff atmosphere.

Next: Friday vs. No. 17 Colquitt County (Norman Park).

13. Longview, Texas (8-0)

Previous: 13.

Recap: The Lobos defeated North Mesquite (Mesquite), 55-0. The win clinched a 19^th straight postseason appearance and 45^th overall. The Lobos coasted to a 42-point lead at halftime en route to their third shutout of the campaign. This weekend is a great East Texas rivalry on Senior Night.

Next: Friday vs. Lee (Tyler).

14. McEachern, Powder Springs, Ga. (8-0)

Previous: 14.

Recap: Defeated Kennesaw Mountain (Kennesaw, 42-7. Georgia’s second-ranked Class AAAAAAA rolled.

Next: Friday vs. North Cobb (Kennesaw).

15. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (8-1)

Previous: 15.

Recap: Defeated Norland (Miami), 35-0. The Ascenders close out the season against an Alabama powerhouse.

Next: Friday at Hoover (Ala.).

16. John Curtis Christian, River Ridge, La. (8-0)

Previous: 16.

Recap: Routed Holy Cross (New Orleans), 62-31. The Patriots will essentially play this weekend for the District 9-5A championship.

Next: Friday vs. Archbishop Rummel (Metairie).

17. Colquitt County, Norman Park, Ga. (8-1)

Previous: 17.

Recap: Defeated Tift County (Tifton), 49-7. What a way to close out the regular season against one of Georgia’s top programs.

Next: Friday at No. 12 Lowndes County (Valdosta).

18. St. Peter’s Prep, Jersey City, N.J. (8-0)

Previous: 18

Recap: Shut out Pope John XIII (Sparta), 41-0. Coach Rich Hansen had his team laser-focused they carried a 28-point lead into the second half. The Marauders finish up the regular season this weekend at Caven Point in Jersey City, looking not only a perfect record but the vaunted Super Football League United Red title.

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

19. Mentor, Ohio (9-0)

Previous: 19.

Recap: Demolished Euclid, 45-0. The Cardinals clinched the Greater Cleveland Conference title and the top seed in the upcoming Division I, Region 1 playoffs.

Next: Friday at Strongsville.

20. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (8-1)

Previous: 20.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday vs. Clayton Valley Charter (Concord).

 21. Archbishop Hoban, Akron, Ohio (8-1)

Previous: 21.

Recap: Doubled up Walsh Jesuit (Cuyahoga Falls), 42-21. The victory means Hoban clinched a first-round home game in the Division II, Region 5 playoffs. Trailing 14-0 in the second quarter, RBs De’Vonta Baskerville and Victor Dawson each rushed for two TDs. Each player wound up with three TDs apiece, including Dawson’s 61-yard scoring connection from junior QB Shane Hamm. The Knights were up 28-14 at the break. The regular wraps up this weekend.

Next: Friday at Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin (Chardon).

22. Grayson, Loganville, Ga. (7-1)

Previous: 22.

Recap: Defeated Newton (Covington), 30-17.

Next: Friday vs. Rockdale County (Conyers).

23. O’Dea, Seattle (8-0)

Previous: 23.

Recap: Defeated Garfield (Seattle), 35-7. The Fighting Irish bagged the Metro League championship. QB Milton Hopkins, Jr. scored a 2-yard TD run to cap the opening drive of the game. Hopkins doubled the lead in the second quarter, hitting WR Cooper Matthews for a 17-yard score. RB Cameron Daniels rushed for 84 yards and two scores. O’Dea has a first-round bye in the playoffs.

Next: TBD in Class 3A playoffs.

24. Eastside Catholic, Sammamish, Wash. (7-1)

Previous: 24.

Recap: Defeated Bishop Blanchett (Seattle), 42-7. The Crusaders averaged 45 points in their last two outings.

Next: TBD in Class 3A playoffs.

 25. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (6-2)

Previous: 25.

Recap: Defeated Archbishop Ryan (Philadelphia), 65-7. The Hawks won the Philadelphia Catholic League Red Division in style, tallying 42 points in the first quarter. Junior QB Kyle McCord threw for scoring passes of 11, 43 and 10 yards in the first quarter. Noble House scored two TDs, going 47 yards on the ground and 43 yards on a pass play.

Next: Friday vs. Father Judge (Philadelphia) in Class AAAAAA Philadelphia Catholic League semifinals.

Dropped: None.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Gonzaga, Washington, D.C (8-1)
2. Highland Springs, Va. (8-0)
3. Iona Prep, New Rochelle, N.Y. (8-0)
4. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (6-2)
5. Catholic Memorial, West Roxbury, Mass. (7-0)

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

Midwest

1. Muskegon, Mich. (9-0)
2. St. Edward, Lakewood, Ohio (8-1)
3. Lincoln-Way East, Frankfort, Ill. (9-0)
4. Avon, Ind. (9-0)
5. Muskego, Wis. (10-0)

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

Southland

1. Southlake (Texas) Carroll (8-0)
2. Marietta, Ga. (6-2)
3. McGill-Toolen, Mobile, Ala. (9-0)
4. Oakland, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (9-0)
5. Owasso, Okla. (8-0)

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

Far West

1. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (8-1)
2. Corner Canyon, Draper, Utah (10-0)
3. Chandler, Ariz. (9-0)
4. Mission Viejo, Calif. (9-0)
5. Lake Stevens, Wash. (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 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 on December 24. Follow him on Twitter at @clawlor.