Blue Star Media Elite 25 Football Final Rankings (12/17/23)

[misterfootball]

Blue Star Media Elite 25 Football Final Rankings, Dec. 17, 2023

1. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (13-1)* !

Previous rank: 1.

Recap: Won the CIF Open Bowl game for the fourth time since 2017 and the Monarchs are Blue Star Media Elite 25 National Champions for the second time in the last three seasons.

2. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas (12-0)^*

Previous: 2.

Recap: Won Nevada Class 5A, Division 1 state championship.

3. IMG Academy, Bradenton, Fla. (9-0)

Previous: 3.

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

4. DeSoto, Texas (15-0)*

Previous: 6.

Recap: Won the Class 6A, Division II state championship, defeating Summer Creek (Humble), 74-14, in the final. The Eagles were up 46-7 at halftime. Quarterback Darius Bailey hit on 16 of 22 passes for 281 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for another score.

5. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (11-2)

Previous: 4.

Recap: Advanced to CIF-Southern Section Division 1 final. Won Trinity League title.

6. Chaminade-Madonna College Prep, Hollywood, Fla. (14-0)*

Previous: 5.

Recap: Won a third consecutive state championship, annexing the Class 1M title.

7. Duncanville, Texas (14-1)*

Previous: 11.

Recap: Won second straight Class 6A, Division I state championship, defeating then-No. 7 North Shore (Galena Park), 49-33, in the final. It was the third overall title in program history. LSU-bound RB Caden Durham ran for scores from 26, 72 and 92 yards and was the Offensive Most Valuable Player. Colin Simmons snagged Defensive MVP honors with eight tackles, including five solos, and three sacks.

8. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (14-1)*

Previous: 8.

Recap: Won the Class 3M state championship. It was the fifth straight state crown for the Raiders, who closed the season on a 13-game winning streak.

9. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia (13-1)*

Previous: 9.

Recap: Won the PIAA Class AAAAAA state championship. The Hawks won their eighth state title in 10 appearances, all since 2013.

10. Bixby, Okla. (13-0)*

Previous: 12.

Recap: Won the second straight Class 6A-I state championship and ninth title in 10 years.

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

Previous: 7.

Recap: For the second straight year, lost in No. 10 Duncanville, 49-33, in Class 6A, Division I final. The Mustangs gained 449 yards and QB Kaleb Bailey completed 19 of 25 passes for 239 yards and three scores and added 42 yards rushing.

12. Westlake, Austin, Texas (14-1)

Previous: 13.

Recap: Advanced to the UIL Class 6A, Division I semifinals.

13. Corner Canyon, Draper, Utah (13-1)*

Previous: 14.

Recap: Won Class 6A state championship.

14. Massillon (Ohio) Washington (16-0)*

Previous: 15.

Recap: Won OHSAA Division II state championship.

15. St. Edward, Lakewood, Ohio (15-1)*

Previous: 16.

Recap: Won OHSSA Division I state championship for the third straight year.

16. Bergen Catholic, Oradell, N.J. (11-1)*

Previous: 17.

Recap: Won third straight NJSIAA Non-Public A state championship.

17. Corona (Calif.) Centennial (9-3)

Previous: 23.

Recap: Advanced to CIF-Southern Section Division 1 semifinals.

18. Liberty, Peoria, Ariz. (12-1)*

Previous: 18.

Recap: Won Arizona Open Division state championship. Season complete.

19. Aledo, Texas (16-0)*

Previous: 19.

Recap: Won Class 5A, Division I state championship, defeating Smithson Valley (Spring Branch), 51-8, in the final. Trailing 8-0 midway through the first quarter, the Bearcats rattle off the final 51 points of the contest. QB Hauss Hejny hit on 9 of 17 passes for 203 yards and two TDs and RB Hawk Patrick-Daniels carried the ground game with 194 yards on 16 carries (12.1 yards per carry) and scored twice. The Bearcats have won a record 12 state championships.

20. Central, Phenix City, Ala. (13-0)*

Previous: 20.

Recap: Won Class 7A state championship and the program’s third overall.

21. Milton, Alpharetta, Ga. (13-2)*

Previous: Not ranked.

Recap: Won the final GHSA Class AAAAAAA state championship, upending then-No. 11 Walton (Marietta), 31-21. Leading 24-21 late in the fourth quarter, Eagles senior LB Jacorey Stewart had a five-yard, pick-six to clinch the program’s second state title with the first in 2018.

22. Walton, Marietta, Ga. (14-1)

Previous: 22.

Recap: Lost to No. 21 Milton (Alpharetta), 31-21, in the Class AAAAAAA final. QB Jeremy Hecklinski tossed two TD passes. The Region 5 champions were seeking their first-ever state title.

23. Berkeley Prep, Tampa, Fla. (13-2)*

Previous: 24.

Recap: Won Class 2M state championship.

24. Colquitt County, Norman Park, Ga. (12-1)

Previous: 22.

Recap: Advanced to Class AAAAAAA quarterfinals.

25. American Heritage, Plantation, Fla. (10-2)

Previous: 25.

Recap: Advanced to FHSAA Class 2M semifinals.

Dropped: No. 21 Buford (Ga.).

High-Fives by Region

East

1. Imhotep Institute Prep, Philadelphia (15-0)*
2. Good Counsel, Olney, Md. (10-1)*
3. Freedom, Woodbridge, Va. (14-0)*
4. Christian Brothers Academy, Syracuse, N.Y. (14-0)*
5. Cardinal Hayes, Bronx, N.Y. (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. Loyola Academy, Wilmette, Ill. (14-0)*
2. Mount Carmel, Chicago (13-1)*
3. Southfield (Mich.) A&T (13-1)*
4. Southeast Polk, Pleasant Hill, Iowa (13-0)*
5. Ben Davis, Indianapolis (13-1)*

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

Southland

1. Clay-Chalkville, Pinson, Ala. (14-0)*
2. Buford, Ga. (11-2)
3. Ruston, La. (14-0)*
4. Mill Creek, Hoschton, Ga. (12-1)
5. Norland, Miami (14-1)

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

Far West

1. Mission Viejo, Calif. (13-3)*
2. Central Catholic, Portland, Ore. (13-0)*
3. Kahuku, Hawaii (11-2)^*
4. Sierra Canyon School, Chatsworth, Calif. (11-1)
5. Columbine, Littleton, Colo. (14-0)*

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

! Blue Star Media Elite 25 National Champions

* Denotes a state or conference postseason champion

^ Includes forfeit victories

[GardenStateBaller]

AHP ahead of Norland is interesting! 

[GardenStateBaller]

Centennial CA at #17! 

[GardenStateBaller]

Bixby at #10! LOLOL

[GardenStateBaller]

4 TX teams in the Top 12 and Aledo at #19.