HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – We have reached the end of the season and it has been quite a ride for the Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings. There was a groundswell to switch out the No. 1 team but that’s not happening.

So, it’s no surprise the Blue Star Media Elite 25 National Champions are the Braves of St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, California.

The Braves (13-1) flipped the script this season, nudging out No. 4 Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) in the CIF-Southern Section Division I final. A year ago, they lost in the sectional final to rival Mater Dei but won the Trinity League championship with an unbeaten regular season. This time Mater Dei won the league and ran the regular season table but lost in the sectional title game. It won’t surprise me if both teams are ranked in the preseason Top 10 next summer. Coach Jason Negro’s squad eventually captured the CIF State Championship Open Division Bowl Game, clinching the national championship.

That means for the fifth straight season, the Blue Star Media Elite 25 National Champions are from the Far West Region.

Last weekend, the high school season concluded with the UIL Texas state championships in Arlington. No. 3 North Shore (Galena Park) and No. 15 Westlake (Austin) won Class 6A state titles. For North Shore it was the second straight year the Mustangs earned the hardware and gold medals, while Westlake, coached by Todd Dodge, returned to the champions’ circle for the first time in 23 years.

In Nevada, the GEICO State Champions Bowl Series saw No. 2 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) and No. 8 Marietta (Ga.) both post victories. Aquinas (15-0) a legitimate argument to take over the No. 1 spot. However, St. John Bosco stays put. Three teams enter the Elite 25 rankings following state championship wins: No. 15 Westlake, No. 20 Northwestern (Miami) and No. 21 De Smet Jesuit (St. Louis). Westlake won the Texas Class 6A, Division II title while Northwestern took the Florida Class 5A chip and De Smet landed on top in Missouri’s Class 6.

We continue to proclaim that the season flies by and it truly does. Gathering scores on Fridays and Saturdays is a grind but it comes with the territory and really keeps our life busy. The Elite 25 football rankings are a labor love and it’s always an honor to present the copy each week.

The Elite 25 final football rankings featured 16 teams that were in the preseason rankings and 13 teams that capture state championships. Two schools from the Elite 25 do not compete for state or any postseason titles.

Thank you to all the loyal readers; you are the reason the Elite 25 remains the go-to rankings for millions. We’re already starting to gather teams for the 2020 preseason rankings that will be revealed in August.

The Elite 25 the boys’ and girls’ basketball rankings that run weekly until the conclusion of their seasons in early April are our next priorities. The next set of boys’ hoop rankings will appear December 31, 2019, including the results of the national holiday tournament schedule. From the gridiron to the hardwood, we cover it all!

God’s Blessings to you and your families. Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Football Rankings, Dec. 24, 2019

1. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (13-1)* !

Previous rank: 1.

Recap: Won CIF State Championship Open Division Bowl Game, defeating then-No. 12 De La Salle (Concord, Calif.), 49-28. Clemson-bound QB DJ Uiagalelei closed out a brilliant prep career, completing 23 of 28 throws for 398 yards and four TDs. He ran for 64 yards and a score. Three of Uiagalelei’s favorite targets caught passes totaling more than 100 yards. With De La Salle in desperation mode, SJB squashed a rally when Matthew Jordan scooped a fumble and sped 96 yards for a TD with 3:27 left. The Braves improved to 3-0 in State Bowl games since coach Jason Negro took over in 2010. That’s a decade of dominance.

2. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (15-0)*

Previous: 4.

Recap: Won Class 7A state championship, topping Edgewater (Orlando), 28-23. The Raiders trailed 14-7 at halftime but took the lead for good with 14 points in the third quarter and a 21-14 lead. The Raiders also toppled then-No. 6 Saint Louis School (Honolulu), 35-19, in the GEICO State Champions Bowl Series in Las Vegas. Five different players scored TDs, including two scoring passes and a rushing TD from sophomore QB Zion Turner. It was the Raiders’ first undefeated season since 2010.

3. North Shore, Galena Park, Texas (15-1)*

Previous: 7.

Recap: Won second consecutive Class 6A, Division I state championship, defeating then-No. 3 Duncanville, 31-17. It was the program’s fourth overall state crown. Junior QB Dematrius Davis, a Virginia Tech commit, accounted for 213 yards and two scores before 47,818 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Davis was the Offensive Most Valuable Player while teammate Corey Flagg, a Miami recruit, took home the Defensive MVP. Also defeated then-No. 16 Lake Travis, 49-38, in the semifinals.

4. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (12-1)

Previous: 2.

Recap: Won the Trinity League championship and split two games with top-ranked St. John Bosco (Bellflower).

5. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (11-1)

Previous: 5.

Recap: The Panthers had another banner year and challenging schedule, but do not play for a state or conference championship.

6. Dutch Fork, Irmo, S.C. (14-0-1)*

Previous: 8.

Recap: Won Class AAAAA state championship and fourth straight title.

7. Chandler, Ariz. (13-0)*

Previous: 10.

Recap: The Wolves won the inaugural Arizona Open Division championship. It marked the fourth consecutive state title and fifth in six seasons.

8. Marietta, Ga. (14-2)*

Previous: 14.

Recap: Won Georgia Class AAAAAAA state championship, stopping then-No. 9 Lowndes County (Valdosta), 17-9. Also crushed then-No. 17 Eastside Catholic (Sammamish, Wash.), 53-14, in the GEICO State Champions Bowl Series. Tennessee-bound QB Harrison Bailey tossed for 410 yards and six TDs all in the first half.

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

Previous: 11.

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

10. St. Peter’s Prep, Jersey City, N.J. (11-1)*

Previous: 13.

Recap: Won Non-Public Group 4 state championship.

11. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (12-2)*

Previous: 15.

Recap: Won second consecutive Class AAAAAA state championship. Also captured the Philadelphia Catholic League Class AAAAAA title.

12. Saint Louis School, Honolulu (12-1)*

Previous: 6.

Recap: The Crusaders saw their win streak halted at 38 games during a 35-19 loss to then-No. 4 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) at the GEICO State Champions Bowl Series in Las Vegas. They also won Hawaii Open Division championship for a fourth consecutive state title.

13. Duncanville, Texas (15-1)

Previous: 3.

Recap: Lost to then-No. 7 North Shore (Galena Park), 31-17, in the Class 6A, Division I final. Also beat No. 19 Rockwall, 56-14, in the semifinals. QB Ja’Quinden Jackson was suffered in the second quarter and missed the final with a knee injury.

14. Lowndes County, Valdosta, Ga. (14-1)

Previous: 9.

Recap: Lost to then-No. ghghg Marietta, 17-9, in the Class AAAAAAA final. The Vikings trailed 17-0 at halftime. Season complete.

15. Westlake, Austin, Texas (15-1)*

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Won Class 6A, Division II state championship, defeating Denton Guyer, 24-0. It was the program’s first state title since future Hall of Fame QB Drew Brees guided the Chaparrals.

16. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (12-2)

Previous: 12.

Recap: Lost to No. 1 St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 49-28, in the CIF State Championship Open Division Bowl Game. The Spartans made a game of it in the fourth quarter, closing within seven points at 35-28 on Shamr Garrett’s scoring runs of 2 and 60 yards. Previously, they captured their 28th straight sectional title. Season complete.

17. Lake Travis, Texas (13-2)

Previous: 16.

Recap: Lost to then-No. 7 North Shore (Galena Park), 49-38, in Class 6A, Division I semifinals.

18. Katy, Texas (12-1)

Previous: 18.

Recap: The Tigers coasted to a district title but lost to No. 3 North Shore (Galena Park)in the Class 6A, Division I Region III semifinals.

19. Rockwall, Texas (12-3)

Previous: 19.

Recap: Lost to then-No. 3 Duncanville, 56-14, in the Class 6A, Division I semifinals. Season complete.

20. Northwestern, Miami (13-2)*

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Won Class 5A state championship.

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

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Won Missouri Class 6 state championship.

22. Parkview, Lilburn, Ga. (12-2)

Previous: 21.

Recap: Advanced to the Class AAAAAAA semifinals.

23. Lakeland, Fla. (12-1)

Previous: 22.

Recap: The Dreadnaughts were ranked No. 1 in Florida’s Class 7A for the entire regular season while winning a district title and posting the program’s 17^th unbeaten regular season.

24. Corner Canyon, Draper, Utah (14-0)*

Previous: 23.

Recap: Won Utah Class 6A state championship. Last year, the Chargers took home the Class 5A crown.

25. Eastside Catholic, Sammamish, Wash. (12-2)*

Previous: 17.

Recap: Won second straight Class 3A state championship. Lost to then-No. 14 Marietta (Ga.), 53-14, in the GEICO State Champions Bowl Series in Las Vegas.

Dropped: No. 20. Southlake (Texas) Carroll; No. 24 North Gwinnett (Suwanee, Ga.) and No. 25 McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. New Rochelle, N.Y. (13-0)*
2. Maury, Norfolk, Va. (15-0)*
3. Good Counsel, Olney, Md. (9-3)*
4. South County, Lorton, Va. (15-0)*
5. Central Catholic, Pittsburgh (12-2)

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

Midwest

1. Lincoln-Way East, Frankfort, Ill. (14-0)*
2. Mount Carmel, Chicago (14-0)*
3. Muskego, Wis. (14-0)*
4. Pickerington (Ohio) Central (14-1)*
5. Dowling Catholic, West Des Moines, Iowa (12-1)*

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

Southland

1. Archbishop Rummel, Metairie, La. (13-0)*
2. Maryville, Tenn. (15-0)*
3. Owasso, Okla. (14-0)*
4. Covington Catholic, Park Hills, Ky. (15-0)*
5. Chaminade-Madonna College Prep, Hollywood, Fla. (12-2)*

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

Far West

1. Mission Viejo, Calif. (11-1)
2. Central, Fresno, Calif. (15-0)*
3. Cherry Creek, Greenwood Village, Colo. (14-0)*
4. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (11-2)
5. Central Catholic, Portland, Ore. (12-2)*

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

* Won a state or conference postseason championship

 ! Blue Star Media Elite 25 National Champions

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.