WASHINGTON MONUMENT: No. 13 Archbishop Spalding (MD) dominates with special QB and stingy defense; Blue Star Media Elite 25 football rankings head into final month

BENSALEM, Pa. – Traditionally, the DMV is known as one of the nation’s top hotbeds for high school basketball.

For those unaware, DMV stands for District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, and is a nickname for the Washington (D.C.) metropolitan area. But football has grown in recent years and with programs such as DeMatha, Quince Orchard, Gonzaga, Wise, St. Frances Academy, C.H. Flowers, Stone Bridge, Good Counsel, St. John’s College and Gilman School leading the way.

Well, No. 13 Archbishop Spalding of Severn, Maryland (near Baltimore) is clearly the best of the lot this season. The Cavaliers completed a 12-0 season on Saturday by claiming a third straight Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference championship.

Spalding outscored opponents, 487-34, in 12 contests with eight shutouts. In August, the Cavaliers gave up 24 points in wins over Archbishop Hoban (Akron, Ohio), 28-14, and No. 23 DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.), 26-10. After that it was a field goal over the next nine weeks. In the championship tilt, they crushed McDonogh School (Owings Mills, Md.), 31-7 but actually trailed by seven points early before the rally.

Maryland-bound quarterback Malik Washington is a big-time recruit who accounted for three touchdowns on Saturday and is destined for success at the next levels (Sundays too). Safety Trent Gillis is off to the nearby Naval Academy and Jayden Shipps will join Washington at the College Park campus just down the road in Prince George’s County.

Spalding and No. 23 DeMatha are both Catholic schools but compete in different leagues. DeMatha (9-1) goes for another Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title on Sunday night in Annapolis.

In Salt Lake City, No. 11 Corner Canyon (Draper, Utah) plays archrivals Lone Peak (Highland) for the Class 6A state championship on Thursday afternoon. The Chargers aim for a second straight 6A title and needed a little help in the semifinals. In overtime, the Chargers took the lead on their first possession when Kingston Cooper sped 11 yards for a score and Davis Nelson nailed the extra-point to make to 35-28. Lehi pulled within a point at 35-34 but missed the conversion, sending the Chargers’ sideline into a frenzy and back to Rice-Eccles Stadium on the University of Utah campus for a 1:30 p.m. MT kickoff.

This week, the Elite 25 had no additions, one team cratered 12 spots and 12 teams ascended by one position and 12 more were static. No. 21 Mission Viejo (Calif.) took a major hit, going down after a loss to then-No. 16 Corona (Calif.) Centennial, 25-20, in the California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section Division 1 quarterfinals. The Diablos conclude 10-1 and remain in the Elite 25 for the time being.

So, the sectional semifinal pairings are set with four Elite 25 teams going at it on Friday: No. 1 Mater Dei (Santa Ana) hosts No. 15 Corona Centennial and No. 7 St. John Bosco (Bellflower) entertains No. 25 Orange Lutheran.

Expect more drama from southern California, where three teams from the Trinity League are still alive in the bracket.

Well, that’s it for another week. The Blue Star Media Elite 25 rankings return on Nov. 26.

I’m Just Saying: For the last four months, I’ve been watching and monitor the play of QB Malik Washington of No. 13 Archbishop Spalding of Severn, Maryland and concluded he’s a future Heisman Trophy winner. Washington guided the Cavaliers to a third straight MIAA Conference A state championship on Saturday night and perfect 12-0 mark.

He’s considered a four-star recruit (he’s probably higher) and was selected to participate at the Elite Eleven Camp last summer, reserved solely for the nation’s top high school signal-callers. Washington will enroll at the University of Maryland in January. The Terrapins need a special player to turn around their fortunes. Washington will be their savior.

Don’t forget to donate to the relief efforts for those who were victimized by hurricanes this fall in the Carolinas and along the East Coast. Go to the American Red Cross. No amount is too small.

Bye for now.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 High School Football Rankings, Nov. 19, 2024

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

Previous rank: 1.

Recap: Defeated Sierra Canyon School (Chatsworth), 33-13, in CIF-Southern Section Division 1 quarterfinals.

Next: Friday vs. No. 15 Corona Centennial in CIF-Southern Section Division 1 semifinals.

2. Duncanville, Texas (10-0)

Previous: 2.

Recap: Defeated Temple, 49-7, in Class 6A, Division I bi-district playoff game. QB Keelon Russell, an Alabama pledge, accounted for 295 total yards and five TDs.

Next: Friday vs. Rockwall in Class 6A, Division I Area playoff game to be played at Allen’s Eagle Stadium.

3. Milton, Alpharetta, Ga. (11-0)

Previous: 3.

Recap: Defeated Woodstock, 42-7, in Class AAAAA first round.

Next: Friday vs. Dutchtown (Hampton) in Class AAAAA second round.

4. North Crowley, Fort Worth, Texas (11-0)

Previous: 4.

Recap: Defeated Byron Nelson (Trophy Club), 56-21, in Class 6A, Division I bi-district playoff game.

Next: Friday vs. Odessa Permian in Class 6A, Division I Area playoff game.

5. Carrollton, Ga. (11-0)

Previous: 5.

Recap: Defeated Dacula, 46-7, in Class AAAAAA first round.

Next: Friday vs. Valdosta in Class AAAAAA second round.

6. North Shore, Galena Park, Texas (11-0)

Previous: 6.

Recap: Defeated Deer Park, 56-13, in Class 6A, Division I, bi-district playoff game.

Next: Friday vs. Ridge Point (Missouri City) in Class 6A, Division I Area playoff game to be played at Pearland’s The Rig.

7. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (10-1)

Previous: 7.

Recap: Defeated Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita), 31-29, in CIF-Southern Section Division 1 quarterfinals. The Braves trailed 23-17 entering the fourth quarter.

Next: Friday vs. No. 25 Orange Lutheran in CIF-Southern Section Division 1 semifinals.

8. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (10-1)

Previous: 8.

Recap: Defeated Liberty (Henderson), 49-3, in Nevada Class 5A, Division 1 semifinals.

Next: Nov. 26 vs. Arbor View (Las Vegas) in Nevada Class 5A, Division 1 final to be played at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

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

Previous: 10.

Recap: Defeated Seton Hall Prep (West Orange), 41-10, in NJSIAA Non-Public A quarterfinals. The Crusaders rolled to a 34-3 lead at halftime as RB Najee Calhoun rushed for two scores.

Next: Saturday vs. St. Joseph Regional (Montvale) in the Non-Public A semifinals.

10. Buford, Ga. (10-1)

Previous: 11.

Recap: Defeated East Coweta (Sharpsburg), 57-9, in Class AAAAAA first round.

Next: Friday vs. Lowndes County (Valdosta) in Class AAAAAA second round.

11. Corner Canyon, Draper, Utah (12-1)

Previous: 12.

Recap: Defeated Lehi, 35-34, in overtime in Class 6A semifinals. QB Bronson Evans completed 13 of 22 passes for 220 yards and four TDs, including two to Kai Meza.

Next: Thursday vs. Lone Peak (Highland) in Class 6A final to be played at the University of Utah’s Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.

12. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (7-2)

Previous: 13.

Recap: Season complete.

13. Archbishop Spalding, Severn, Md. (12-0)*

Previous: 14.

Recap: Won a third consecutive MIAA A Conference championship, defeating McDonogh School (Owings Mills), 31-7, in the final. Maryland-bound QB Malik Washington ran for one TD and threw for two more. The Cavaliers stingy defense surrendered 34 points in 12 games.

Season complete.

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

Previous: 15.

Recap: Defeated San Marin, 42-10, in CIF-North Coast Section Open/Division I quarterfinals.

Next: Friday vs. Pittsburg in CIF-North Coast Section Open/Division I semifinals.

15. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (9-2)

Previous: 16.

Recap: Defeated then-No. 9 Mission Viejo, 25-20, in the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 quarterfinals. Texas A&M commit QB Husan Longstreet ran 10 yards for the go-ahead TD with 1:32 left in the third quarter to win it.

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

16. Atascocita, Humble, Texas (10-1)

Previous: 17.

Recap: Defeated Dickinson, 50-45, in Class 6A, Division I bi-district playoff game.

Next: Friday vs. Pearland in Class 6A, Division I Area playoff game to be played at Humble’s Turner Stadium.

17. Chaminade-Madonna College Prep, Hollywood, Fla. (9-2)

Previous: 18.

Recap: Defeated St. John Paul II Academy (Boca Raton), 63-0, in Class 1A, Region 4 quarterfinals.

Next: Friday vs. St. Andrew’s (Boca Raton) in Class 1A, Region 4 semifinals.

18. North Gwinnett, Suwanee, Ga. (11-0)

Previous: 19.

Recap: Defeated Denmark, 45-7, in Class AAAAAA first round.

Next: Friday vs. Newton (Covington) in Class AAAAAA second round.

20. Liberty, Peoria, Ariz. (9-1)

Previous: 21.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday vs. Higley (Gilbert) in AIA Open Division quarterfinals.

21. Mission Viejo, Calif. (10-1)

Previous: 9.

Recap: Lost to then-No. 16 Corona (Calif.) Centennial, 25-20, in CIF-Southern Section Division 1 quarterfinals. Season complete.

22. Gaffney, S.C. (8-1)

Previous: 22.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday vs. Riverside (Greer) in Class 5A Division 2 Upper State quarterfinals.

23. DeMatha, Hyattsville, Md. (9-1)

Previous: 23.

Recap: Defeated St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.), 42-6, in the WCAC semifinals.

Next: Sunday vs. Good Counsel (Olney) in the WCAC final to be played at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis.

24. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (8-2)

Previous: 24.

Recap: Defeated Imhotep Prep Charter (Philadelphia), 42-0, in the PIAA Class 6A District 12 final.

Next: Saturday vs. Parkland (Allentown) in Class 6A quarterfinals.

25. Orange (Calif.) Lutheran (8-3)

Previous: 25.

Recap: Defeated JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano), 42-20, in CIF-Southern Section Division 1 quarterfinals.

Next: Friday at No. 7 St. John Bosco (Bellflower) in CIF-Southern Section, Division 1 semifinals.

Dropped: None.

High-Fives by Region

East

1. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore (7-3)
2. DePaul Catholic, Wayne, N.J. (9-1)
3. Oscar Smith, Chesapeake, Va. (11-0)
4. Phoebus, Hampton, Va. (10-0)
5. Central Catholic, Pittsburgh (10-2)*

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. (12-0)
2. East St. Louis, Ill. (11-1)
3. Mentor, Ohio (13-0)
4. Moeller, Cincinnati (12-1)
5. Avon, Ohio (13-0)

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

Southland

1. Venice, Fla. (10-1)
2. Boyle County, Danville, Ky. (12-0)
3. Southlake (Texas) Carroll 11-0)
4. Owasso, Okla. (10-0)
5. Ravenwood, Brentwood, Tenn. (12-0)

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

Far West

1. Basha, Chandler, Ariz, (9-1)
2. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (8-4)
3. Lake Oswego, Ore. (10-0)
4. Bellevue, Wash. (10-0)
5. JSerra Catholic, San Juan Capistrano, Calif. (6-5)

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

* Denotes a state or conference postseason champion

Records are through Sunday

About: The Blue Star Media Elite 25 High School Football Rankings are released weekly from August 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 December of the 2024 season. Follow him on X at @clawlor.