X-CELLENT! No. 24 St. Xavier (OH) joins Blue Star Media Elite 25 Fall football rankings after winning state title; No. 6 Corner Canyon QB Jaxson Dart’s five TD passes set Utah state record

BENSALEM, Pa. – There are 12 teams from the Blue Star Media Elite 25 Fall football rankings that have not or won’t be participating in their state’s playoffs. That trend will shift by the end of the month.

Yet there is one state champion that joins the Elite 25 Fall rankings this week. No. 24 St. Xavier (Cincinnati) made quick work then-No. 12 Pickerington (Ohio) Central and rolled to a 44-3 win in the Ohio Division I final. It was the Bombers’ first Division I title since 2016. Pickerington was aiming for a third in four years but could never get its vaunted running game on track.

Teams from Ohio and Utah vie for state championships this week while Pennsylvania and Indiana have semifinal games. Additionally, Michigan must take a three-week pause per orders of the governor. The playoffs were three weeks from completion so the season is now in jeopardy. If things resume in December it will be mighty cold.

No. 25 Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.) was also added to the Elite 25 Fall rankings after a 6-0 start but will face their crosstown rivals No. 5 Chandler this weekend. Those two teams could meet again in the Arizona Open Division playoffs that start over the Thanksgiving weekend.

The top-11 teams from the Elite 25 remained the same, seven teams moved up one position and five were bumped up two slots.

That’ll do it for this week.

The Blue Star Media Elite 25 Fall rankings return on Nov. 24.

Remember to stay safe, mask up, practice social distancing, purchase your tickets in advance from your local schools and support the small businesses in your area that have taken major financial hits since March.

There is still time to attend a game in your area but call ahead regarding ticket availability.

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

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Fall football rankings, Nov. 17, 2020

1. North Shore, Galena Park, Texas (8-0)

Previous rank: 1.

Recap: The nation’s No. 1 team breezed to a 58-0 blowout of Summer Creek (Humble). The Mustangs made quick work, sprinting to a 24-point lead through one quarter. Auburn-bound QB Dematrius Davis put on a show, hitting on 9-of-12 passes for 313 yards and four touchdowns from 12, 12, 75 and 48 yards to four different receivers, and rushed for a 12-yard score in the first quarter.

Next: Thursday vs. C.E. King (Houston).

2. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (7-0)

Previous: 2.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday vs. TRU Prep Academy (Miami Gardens) in GEICO High School Bowl Series.

3. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (4-0)

Previous: 3.

Recap: Idle. The Hawks will be well rested for the state semifinals against the undefeated District 1 champions.

Next: Saturday vs. Souderton in the PIAA Class AAAAAA semifinals.

4. Grayson, Loganville, Ga. (9-0)

Previous: 4.

Recap: Defeated Newton (Covington), 37-0. The Rams head into a bye week on a high note and now focus on the postseason.

Next: Nov. 27 vs. TBD in Class AAAAAAA first round.

5. Chandler, Ariz. (6-0)

Previous: 5.

Recap: Defeated Highland (Gilbert), 42-19. It was 21-13 at halftime before the Wolves gained breathing room. The Wolves play their crosstown rivals in a game on ESPN family of networks.

Next: Friday vs. No. 25 Hamilton (Chandler).

6. Corner Canyon, Draper, Utah (13-0)

Previous: 6.

Recap: QB Jaxson Dart continued his amazing season, passing for 296 yards and five TDs and rushed for another when the Chargers defeated East (Salt Lake City), 45-30, in the Class 6A semifinals. It was the 39^th straight win for coach Eric Kjar’s team, which goes for a championship three-peat this week. Dart now owns the Utah single-season record of 63 TD passes. The Chargers led 31-0 before East made a game of it.

Next: Friday vs. Lone Peak (Highland) in Class 6A final.

7. Westlake, Austin, Texas (7-0)

Previous: 7.

Recap: Defeated Bowie (Austin), 45-7. The Chaps are one stingy team on defense with 13 points conceded in the last four contests. The Chaps are rolling in District 26-6A play but will decided that title at No. ghghg Lake Travis (Austin) on Nov. 27.

Next: Friday vs. Austin High.

8. St. Peter’s Prep, Jersey City, N.J. (4-0)

Previous: 8.

Recap: Idle. The Marauders have rescheduled two games to end the season after the coronavirus put their season on hold earlier this month.

Next: Monday at Seton Hall Prep (West Orange).

9. Duncanville, Texas (5-1)

Previous: 9.

Recap: Doubled up Cedar Hill, 28-14. The Panthers are in control of the District 11-6A title race after last weekend’s showdown triumph.

Next: Friday vs. Lake Ridge (Mansfield).

10. De Smet Jesuit, St. Louis (4-0)

Previous: 10.

Recap: Defeated Francis Howell (St. Charles, Mo.), 28-7, in Class 6, District 2 final. After a scoreless first quarter, RB Rico Barfield made it 7-0 on a 14-yard TD run. He then rushed in from 5 and 21 yards in the third quarter and QB Seth Marcione sprinted 41 yards for the Spartans’ fourth score.

Next: Saturday vs. Fox (Arnold, Mo.) in the Class 6 state semifinals.

11. Trinity. Louisville, Ky. (6-0)

Previous: 11.

Recap: Idle. The Shamrocks were off two weeks following COVID-19 protocols but will be ready for the playoff opener next weekend.

Next: Nov. 27 vs. Eastern (Louisville) or Ballard (Louisville) in Class 6A second round.

12. Thompson, Alabaster, Ala. (12-0)

Previous: 13.

Recap: Defeated Hewitt-Trussville, 42-16, in Class 7A second round. The Warriors have a semifinal game that is suitable for the championship round.

Next: Friday vs. Hoover in Class 7A semifinals.

13. Colquitt County, Norman Park, Ga. (7-0)

Previous: 14.

Recap: Shut out Tift County (Tifton), 41-0. The Packers have a bye prior to entering the playoffs.

Next: Nov. 27 vs. TBD in Class AAAAAAA first round.

14. Owasso, Okla. (10-0)

Previous: 15.

Recap: Playoff game versus Edmond Memorial was canceled over COVID-19 concerns with the Rams advancing in Class 6AI.

Next: Friday vs. Mustang in the Class 6AI quarterfinals.

15. Bixby, Okla. (8-0)

Previous: 16.

Recap: Idle. The Spartans earned a first-round bye and need three wins to win another state championship.

Next: Friday vs. Del City in Class 6AII state quarterfinals.

16. Northwestern, Miami (3-1)

Previous: 17.

Recap: Defeated Key West, 28-20, in Florida Class 5A, Region 4 play-in game. The Bulls will play one of their toughest games to date.

Next: Friday vs. American Heritage (Plantation) in Region 4 quarterfinals.

17. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (3-1)

Previous: 18.

Recap: Idle.

Next: Friday vs. Lehigh (Lehigh Acres) in Class 7A, Region 4 quarterfinals.

18. Central, Miami (3-1)

Previous: 19.

Recap: The Tornadoes claimed their second straight forfeit playoff victory this season against Archbishop McCarthy (Fort Lauderdale).

Next: Friday vs. Lely (Naples) in the Class 6A, Region 4 semifinals.

19. Center Grove, Greenwood, Ind. (12-0)

Previous: 21.

Recap: The Trojans walloped Warren Central (Indianapolis), 38-0, in the Class 6A Regional final. Coach Eric Moore’s squad has already beat this weekend’s opponent by 23 points this season.

Next: Friday vs. Ben Davis (Indianapolis) in Class 6A SemiState.

20. Dutch Fork, Irmo, S.C. (7-0)

Previous: 22.

Recap: Crushed Summerville, 42-7, in the Class AAAAA first round.

Next: Friday vs. Carolina Forest (Myrtle Beach) in Class AAAAA second round.

21. Archbishop Hoban, Akron, Ohio (10-0)

Previous: 23.

Recap: Defeated Avon, 28-14, in the Division II state semifinals. The Knights are back in the state final for a fifth time in six years. RB Victor Dawson’s 3-yard TD run with 6:37 left in the fourth quarter gave Hoban a 21-14 lead. Dawson scored twice and QB Shane Hamm fired a scoring strike to Brayden Fox in the first half.

Next: Friday vs. Massillon Washington in Division II state final at The Fortress in Obetz.

22. Allen, Texas (5-0)

Previous: 24.

Recap: Defeated Denton Guyer, 56-38. The RB threesome of Jordan Johnson and Jake Wolf and QB General Booty rushed for two TDs apiece. The Eagles were up 42-17 at halftime.

Next: Friday at McKinney.

23. Lake Travis, Austin, Texas (5-0)

Previous: 25.

Recap: Idle. The Cavaliers have two regular season games remaining.

Next: Friday vs. Akins (Austin).

24. St. Xavier, Cincinnati (10-2)*

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Won its fourth Division I state championship, throttling then-No. 12 Pickerington (Ohio) Central, 44-3, in the final. QB Brogan McCaughey was sensational, completing 25-of-39 passes for 291 yards and four TDs—all to WR Jalen Patterson. The Bombers, who last won the state title in 2016, scored 44 points in the first half to shock a previously-unbeaten team from the Columbus area. Patterson snared five passes for 105 yards and the four TDs as the Bombers led 30-0 after one quarter. Season complete.

25. Hamilton, Chandler, Ariz. (6-0)

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Defeated Higley (Gilbert), 42-36. The game is on national TV and the region title is up for grabs. This won’t be the last time these crosstown rivals play this season.

Next: Friday at No. 5 Chandler.

Dropped out: No. 12 Pickerington (Ohio) Central and No. 20 Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Pine-Richland, Gibsonia, Pa. (9-0)
2. Central Catholic, Pittsburgh (6-3)
3. St. Joseph Regional, Montvale, N.J. (3-2)
4. Lenape, Medford, N.J. (5-0)
5. McDowell, Erie, Pa. (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. Cathedral, Indianapolis (11-1)
2. Belleville, Mich. (9-0)
3. Westside, Omaha, Neb. (11-0)
4. Century, Bismarck, N.D. (10-0)*
5. Muskego, Wis. (8-0)

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

Southland

1. Bryant, Ark. (10-0)
2. Oakland, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (12-0)
3. Brother Martin, New Orleans (6-0)
4. Lowndes County, Valdosta, Ga. (7-1)
5. American Heritage, Plantation, Fla. (6-2)

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

Far West

1. Saguaro, Scottsdale, Ariz. (4-1)
2. Lone Peak, Highland, Utah (12-1)
3. Cherry Creek, Greenwood Village, Colo. (6-0)
4. Valor Christian, Highlands Ranch, Colo. (5-0)
5. Rocky Mountain, Meridian, Idaho (9-0)

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

^ Will play season in Winter/Spring 2021

 * Won state championship

About: The Blue Star Media Elite 25 High School Football Rankings are released weekly from September until the conclusion of the high school season. For the 2020-2021 school year, there will be two separate rankings in the fall and winter/spring due to coronavirus concerns. 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 June 2021. Follow him on Twitter at @clawlor.