Catholic Athletes for Christ, in conjunction with Global Football and Siena Heights University, have released its 2018 preseason Top 25 Catholic High School Football Pool.

The CAC Top 25 rankings will return on September 5 and then on Wednesdays throughout the regular season until the conclusion of the postseason in December. In January, the CAC 25 Top 25 National Champion will be announced.  In 2017, Mater Dei High School Monarchs (Santa Ana, Calif.) won the first CAC Catholic High School National Championship.

For more information, visit www.globalfootball.com/cac-top-25.

Archbishop Bernard Hebda of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis and Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington, Va., both celebrated CAC MLB Masses on June 24.

Archbishop Hebda celebrated Mass at Target Field prior to the Twins-Rangers game, while Bishop Burbidge celebrated Mass at Nationals Park prior to the Nationals-Phillies game. Bishop Burbidge has long served on CAC’s Episcopal Board.

CAC coordinates Catholic Masses at 28 of the 30 MLB stadiums on homestand weekends.  In 2017, CAC was responsible for coordinating 330 Masses across the league for players, coaches, trainers, broadcasters, front office personnel, and stadium workers.

Archbishop Bernard Hebda (center) of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis celebrated the Twins Mass at Target Field on June 24 prior to the Twins-Rangers game. Archbishop Hebda is pictured with Jeff Reardon (left), Twins Director of Security, and Father Michael Tix, Twins Priest-Chaplain, following the Mass.

Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington, Va., celebrates Mass on June 24 at Nationals Park prior to the Nationals-Phillies game. Bishop Burbidge has long served on CAC’s Episcopal Board.

On May 17, Catholic Athletes for Christ (CAC) launched its new Philadelphia regional program with an event at Citizens Bank Park.  At the event, CAC honored 22 student-athletes from the Catholic high schools in the Philadelphia Archdiocese with its Courage Award for their leadership in sports and as models of faith.

Click here for a recap of the event featured on CatholicPhilly.com.

Come join us for CAC’s official Philadelphia kick-off event at Citizens Bank Park’s Diamond Club on Thursday, May 17 from 6-9 p.m.

Event Highlights

• CAC will recognize local high school athletes with its Courage Award, which recognizes student-athletes who are leaders not only on the playing field, but as evangelizers and models of faith
• Former Eagles General Manager Jim Murray will emcee the festivities
• Former Eagles Wide Receiver Jason Avant will be in attendance
• Member of the 2016 Villanova championship team, Kevin Rafferty, will be in attendance
• Private tour of Citizens Bank Park
• Meet and greet with the Phillie Phanatic
• A silent auction featuring autographed sports items
• Special additional guests, including former professional baseball pitcher, Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion, Dwight Gooden!

*This is a family-friendly event. Please join us!

Sponsorship Packages

Platinum Sponsor – $50,000

• VIP Area for 20 guests at the event
• Private meet and greet for 20 guests with “special guest” sports athlete
• Private tour of Citizens Bank Park
• Name/logo recognition on Save the Date and Invitation
• Name/logo recognition on all electronic event communications
• Name/logo recognition on cover of program booklet
• Full-page, full-color ad in program booklet
• Name/logo recognition on website
• Name/logo recognition on signage at the entrance of event
• Special recognition by emcee during the event
• Opportunity to address the crowd during opening remarks

Gold Sponsor – $25,000

• VIP Area for 10 guests at the event
• Private tour of Citizens Bank Park
• Name/logo recognition on Save the Date and Invitation
• Name/logo recognition on all electronic event communications
• Name/logo recognition on cover of program booklet
• Full-page, full-color ad in program booklet
• Name/logo recognition on website
• Special recognition by emcee during the event

Silver Sponsor – $10,000

• Event tickets for 15 guests
• Name/logo recognition on Invitation
• Name/logo recognition on all electronic event communications
• Full page ad in program booklet
• Name/logo recognition on website
• Special recognition by emcee during the event

Bronze Sponsor – $5,000

• Event tickets for 10 guests
• Name/logo recognition on all electronic event communications
• Half page ad in program booklet
• Name/logo recognition on website
• Special recognition by emcee during the event

Program Booklet Advertising Opportunities:

• Full page ad – $1,000
• Half page ad – $500
• Quarter Page ad – $250

General Admission – $50.00

Admission to the cocktail reception, a tour of Citizens Bank Park, and a meet and greet with a “special guest” sports athlete and the Phillie Phanatic!

To purchase a sponsorship or a general admission ticket, please click here.

To learn more about advertising opportunities for this event, please click here.

MATER DEI TOPS FINAL NATIONAL RANKING OF CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAMS

Santa Ana’s Monarchs are the Inaugural Winners of the Catholic Athletes For Christ Top 25,
Presented by Siena Heights University and Global Football

Occasionally teams will tap destiny on the shoulder and this time  did so in emphatic fashion.

Congratulations to the No. 1 Mater Dei High School Monarchs (Santa Ana, Calif.) – the Catholic Athletes for Christ Top 25 High School Football 2017 National Champions presented by Siena Heights University and Global Football.  Coach Bruce Rollinson’s team rolled through one of the nation’s toughest schedules and capped the season with a CIF Open Division state championship.  The Monarchs went a perfect 15-0 and left no doubt they were the nation’s top football team in 2017.

For more information, visit www.globalfootball.com/cac-top-25/

High School Football Week Four Rankings
Presented by CAC, Siena Heights University, and Global Football
Sept. 27, 2017

There is a palpable feeling that something is ready to pop in the Catholic Athletes for Christ Top 25 High School Football rankings.  We’re about to flip the calendar on the month of September and next week at this time, it’ll be October.  If any month oozes the autumn, or the heart of prep football, it’s October.

October is defined by foliage, pumpkins, apple cider, costume parties and Halloween (a.k.a. All Hallows’ Eve) but when it comes to football, the rivalries are rolled out, teams are jockeying for playoff bids, and games become more important each week.  We’re almost there and September still has one weekend of games remaining.

Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), No. 1 in the CAC Top 25 presented by Siena Heights University and Global Football, holds steady.  The Monarchs again were dominating and put on a show in northern California during a lopsided victory in a big-time venue – Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, home of the San Francisco 49ers.  The Monarchs, like four other from the CAC Top 25, will head into a bye week before emerging with league games and the playoffs ahead.

A quick glance at the CAC Top 25 reveals one addition: No. 24 St. John Vianney (Kirkwood, Mo.). The St. Louis area school is 6-0 with three games left in the regular season. The Golden Griffins are currently Missouri’s No. 1 team in Class 5.

The top 14 teams in the CAC 25 were static while 10 others shifted positions and No. 25 St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.) slipped nine spots following a loss to No. 5 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), 21-17.  The Cadets (2-2) remain in the CAC Top 25 because of their strength of schedule, with both losses to CAC 25 teams.  However SJC needs to pick it up and has the opportunity with Washington Catholic Athletic Conference games left – that includes the playoffs.

Fans everywhere are encouraged to follow the CAC Top 25 through social media at www.Facebook.com/CACTop25 and on Twitter @CACTop25.

Triple Option

Player of the Week: Somewhere in the South Pacific on an island far, far away from the East Coast (about 5,000 miles) and five time zones, Chevan Cordeiro of No. 12 Saint Louis School in Honolulu, Hawaii was the perfect foil in a 56-50 wild victory last weekend over Narbonne (Harbor City, Calif.) at Aloha Stadium.  Quarterback Cordeiro lit up the scoreboard in the fourth quarter, throwing for four of his seven touchdowns in the fourth quarter for the victory.

The 6-foot, 176-pound senior passed for 393 yards on 18-of-28 accuracy and now has 1,303 passing yards and 14 TDs.  Cordeiro, who says he’ll stay home and sign with the University of Hawaii, is the latest in the line of Saint Louis quarterback lineage.  You might remember predecessors such as Timmy Chang, Darnell Arceneaux, Marcus Mariota (Tennessee Titans, Heisman Trophy winner) and Tua Tagovailoa (now a true freshman at Alabama).

Game of the Week: Each week the CAC Top 25 has dynamic games that have a national spin or a game involving the ranked teams.  This week it’s American rivalry that put most to shame with the hoopla and pageantry that surrounds it.

Only one game needs to hog the “Game of the Week” spotlight.  Heck, “The Game” between Louisville (Ky.) archrivals No. 14 Trinity and No. 18 St. Xavier is played Friday at University of Louisville’s Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium, 8 p.m. ET.  The winner takes home the coveted shillelagh (an Irish war club) and is a symbol of pride and presented by a local division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

The Trinity Shamrocks have won 16 of the last 20 meetings (including playoffs) and lead the all-time series 43-37-2.  Dubbed the Vatican Bowl by some locals, the gridiron battle between the two all-male schools can divide the town and will attract more than 20,000 when the matchup is juicy as is the case this year with two 5-0 clubs.  On the Trinity campus, it’s called “Pride Week” and a host of events such as a chalk talk night, fun contests, keynote speakers, award ceremonies, dinners, elaborate tailgates, pep rallies, sold-out freshman and junior varsity football games, and the popular Shillelagh Cup, where alumni golfers from both schools compete in a Ryder Cup-style competition.

Trinity’s Bob Beatty is the winningest head coach in the series, with a 20-8 mark.  Last year the Shamrocks won twice, including the Class 6A state semifinals, 24-14, on Nov. 25.  The two schools have combined for 37 state titles—Trinity has 25 and the Tigers check in with 12.

We’ll have an update next week.

NFL Ties: St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) leads the list of high schools with 12 players on the 2017 NFL opening day rosters, the NFL announced.  Three other schools eligible for the CAC Top 25 rankings have four players, Elder (Cincinnati), De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) and Servite (Anaheim, Calif.).

The dozen Aquinas alumni in the league are Geno Atkins and Giovani Bernard (Cincinnati); Joey Bosa (Los Angeles Chargers); Phillip Dorsett and James White (New England); Lamarcus Joyner (Los Angeles Rams); Marcus Gilbert (Pittsburgh); Bobby Hart (New York Giants); Brandon Linder (Jacksonville); Michael Palardy (Carolina); Jake Rudock (Detroit); and Sam Young (Miami).

With the action heating up and action coming at you fast and furious, the CAC Top 25 is due for a shakeup.

Fans are encouraged to follow the CAC Top 25 through social media at www.Facebook.com/CACTop25 and on Twitter @CACTop25. The CAC Top 25 rankings will return on October 4.

2017 Catholic Athletes for Christ Week 4 Top 25, Sept. 27, 2017
Presented by Siena Heights University & Global Football

1. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (5-0)
Previous rank: 1.
In the Huddle: The Monarchs tallied a defensive score on the first play from scrimmage and coasted past St. Mary’s (Stockton, Calif.), 52-14. Now coach Bruce Rollinson will have a week to prepare before teeing up the Trinity League season with one of the state’s top teams – Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita).

2. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (2-0)
Previous rank: 2.
In the Huddle: Idle. The Raiders resume playing on Friday at Centennial (Peoria, Ariz.).

3. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia, Pa. (4-0)
Previous rank: 3.
In the Huddle: QB Marquez McCray improved to 18-0 as a starter, dating back to last year’s unbeaten campaign, after a 38-6 win over league rival Archbishop Carroll (Radnor, Pa.). Kyle McCord and CJ Duell each scored their first varsity TDs. The Hawks enter their bye week with an Oct. 7 date against rival Roman Catholic (Philadelphia) after their break.

4. St. Xavier, Cincinnati, Ohio (5-0)
Previous rank: 4.
In the Huddle: The Bombers scored the final 30 points to defeat league rival Moeller (Cincinnati), 30-7. Wisconsin-commit QB Chase Wolf completed 16 of 26 passes for 202 yards and an 8-yard TD to Matthew Fox (25 carries, 166 yards), and rushed for another score. Key moment in the game, Moeller was up 7-0 in the first period but on the ensuing kickoff, Jared Kreimer returned it 95 yards to even the score at 7. This week Elder (Cincinnati) comes to town for another Greater Catholic League South showdown.

5. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (4-1)
Previous rank: 5.
In the Huddle: The Braves needed a late comeback to make their day, beating then-No. 16 St. John’s College (Washington, D.C.), 21-17. Backup QB DJ Uiagalelei engineered two TD drives inside the final 6 minutes when the Braves pulled ahead from a 17-7 deficit. After a second transcontinental trip in five weeks, the Braves enter their bye week.

6. DeMatha Catholic, Hyattsville, Md. (4-1)
Previous rank: 6.
In the Huddle: Topped Friendship Collegiate (Washington, D.C.), 42-18. The Stags have the weekend off in preparation for a rivalry game with Washington Catholic Athletic Conference ramifications with Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) on Oct. 6.

7. St. Ignatius, Cleveland, Ohio (5-0)
Previous rank: 7.
In the Huddle: It’s never easy playing at “The Pit” but the Wildcats walked away with an impressive 30-28 win at Elder (Cincinnati). Matthew Trickett’s 55-yard field goal in the fourth quarter gave them the lead for good and Cam Toppin picked off a pass late to preserve a fifth straight victory.

8. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas, Nev. (3-2)
Previous rank: 8.
In the Huddle: Order has been restored in southern Nevada as the Gaels waltzed to a 58-0 win over Bonanza (Las Vegas). The offense clicked with QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson accounting for three TDs, including two in the air and the defense added a pair of pick-sixes. RB Matthew De Los Reyes ran for scores of 17 and 31 yards in the second quarter. Honestly, the Gaels should win out versus instate competition.

9. Cathedral Prep, Erie, Pa. (5-0)
Previous rank: 9.
In the huddle: The Ramblers are rolling after a 69-7 overwhelming triumph over General McLane (Edinboro, Pa.). It was the third straight week they have scored more than 60 points. Next up is St. Francis (Athol Springs, N.Y.).

10. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (4-1)
Previous rank: 10.
In the Huddle: The Spartans fended off a valiant effort from Fresno Central for a 49-30 victory. RB Henry To’oto’o ran 18 times for 171 yards and four TDs, including all three of his team’s TDs in the second half.

11. Archbishop Rummel, Metairie, La. (3-0)
Previous rank: 11.
In the Huddle: In their final non-district game, the Raiders turned back Teurlings Catholic (Lafayette), 41-23. The Raiders came back to top Riverside Academy (Reserve), 38-34, QB Chandler Field came out firing with two TDs passes to Koy Moore in the first half for a 21-7 lead. Field wound with four scoring tosses. Friday’s contest at Teurlings Catholic (Lafayette) is the final non-district fixture before embarking six straight in Class 5A, District 9 or the meaty portion of the slate.

12. Saint Louis, Honolulu, Hawaii (5-0)
Previous rank: 12.
In the huddle: The explosive offensive duo of QB Chevan Cordeiro and WR Mitchell Quinn were sensational in wild 56-50 win over Narbonne (Harbor City, Calif.) last weekend in Honolulu. Cordeiro threw for 393 yards and seven TDs, including four in the fourth quarter to Quinn, who had 233 receiving yards on seven receptions. The win streak, dating back to last season, is 10 games as the Crusaders play league rival Kamehameha School (Honolulu) on Friday back at Aloha Stadium.

13. St. Edward, Lakewood, Ohio (5-0)
Previous rank: 13.
In the Huddle: The Eagles pitched a shutout, defeating Buchtel (Akron), 36-0. They are off to Naperville (Ill.) Central Saturday for the first two straight out-of-state trips.

14. Trinity, Louisville, Ky. (5-0)
Previous rank: 14.
In the Huddle: Defeated Jeffersontown (Louisville), 40-6. Rivalry week is here! The Shamrocks face No. 18 St. Xavier (Louisville).

15. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore, Md. (4-0)
Previous rank: 18.
In the Huddle: The Panthers built a 21-0 lead at the intermission en route to a 28-7 victory over Calvert Hall College (Baltimore). Next up is Loyola Blakefield (Towson, Md.) on Friday afternoon.

16. Chaminade, West Hills, Calif. (4-1)
Previous rank: 19.
In the huddle: QB Ryan Stevens hit on 12 of 15 passes for 279 yards and two TD, including one to favorite target Stanford-bound Michael Wilson during 39-7 rout of Crespi Carmelite (Encino). It’s a short week for the Eagles, who host rival Serra (Gardena) Thursday for Mission League supremacy.

17. St. Joseph Regional, Montvale, N.J. (2-1)
Previous rank: 17.
In the Huddle: Idle. The Green Knights had a bye week, preparing for rival Bergen Catholic (Oradell) on Saturday.

18. St. Xavier, Louisville, Ky. (5-0)
Previous ranked: 20.
In the huddle: Anthony Moretti rushed for 181 yards and three scores in a 35-21 victory over Pleasure Ridge Park (Louisville). Next up is No. 14 Trinity (Louisville) in a traditional rivalry game that usually grabs hold of the city.

19. St. Peter’s Prep, Jersey City, N.J. (2-1)
Previous rank: 21.
In the Huddle: Shayne Simon, a Notre Dame recruit, scored three TDs and the Marauders topped Seton Hall Prep (West Orange), 43-20. Coach Rich Hansen’s team looked refreshed coming off a bye week, but the there is little time for rest as Paramus Catholic comes to Caven Point Friday night.

20. Central Catholic, Pittsburgh, Pa. (4-1)
Previous rank: 22.
In the Huddle: Defeated Seneca Valley (Harmony), 28-20. Khalil Weathers ran for scores of 23 and 7 yards and Gavin Thomson added a 42-yard punt for a TD. The Vikings have won four straight since an opening day loss to No. 9 Cathedral Prep (Erie).

21. Dowling Catholic, West Des Moines, Iowa, (5-0)
Previous rank: 23.
In the huddle: Iowa’s top-ranked Class 4A team is on a roll and averaging 50 points per game. The latest scoreline was a 77-7 thrashing of Sioux City West. Next up is a road at Lincoln (Des Moines) on Friday.

22. Archbishop Wood, Warminster, Pa. (3-1)
Previous rank: 24.
In the Huddle: Coach Steve Devlin’s club overwhelmed Roman Catholic (Philadelphia), 38-6, impressively bouncing back from a rare loss. The schedule rolls on this weekend with Archbishop Ryan (Philadelphia).

23. De Paul Catholic, Wayne, N.J. (2-1)
Previous rank: 25.
In the huddle: Coach John McKenna’s team showed a resilient attitude in the fourth quarter with 20 points to put away Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey), 42-17. Next up is Hudson Catholic on Friday.

24. St. John Vianney, Kirkwood, Mo. (6-0)
Previous rank: Not ranked.
In the huddle: Missouri’s top-ranked Class 5 squad defeated De Smet Jesuit (St. Louis, Mo.), 56-21. The Golden Griffins are churning out the points, averaging nearly 47 points. Kyren Williams has scored 18 TDs. The biggest game left is Christian Brothers College (St. Louis) on Oct. 13, which will likely determine the Metro Catholic League champion.

25. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (2-2)
Previous rank: 16.
In the Huddle: The Cadets dropped a tough one to No. 5 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.), 21-17, after coughing up a 17-7 late in the fourth quarter. They have a bye week to regroup for league foe Good Counsel (Olney, Md.) on Oct. 6.

Dropped out: No. 15 La Salle (Cincinnati, Ohio).

Others to Consider: JSerra Catholic (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.); Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.); McGill-Toolen Catholic (Mobile, Ala.); Roncalli, (Indianapolis, Ind.); Eastside Catholic (Sammamish, Wash.); Covington (Ky.) Catholic; Bishop McGuinness Catholic (Oklahoma City, Okla.); O’Dea (Seattle, Wash.); Catholic Central (Toledo, Ohio); Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.); Christian Brothers (Memphis, Tenn.); and La Salle (Cincinnati, Ohio).

Global Football has also formed an alliance with Catholic Athletes For Christ to take high school-aged players to Italy, to participate in the inaugural 7-on-7 Roma Bowl tournament from June 10-17, 2018. Click here for more information for how to take your school on the visit of a lifetime: http://www.globalfootball.com/roma-bowl-2018/

About: The Catholic Athletes for Christ Top 25 High School Football Rankings, presented by Siena Heights University and Global Football are released on Wednesdays from September until the conclusion of the high school season in December. Criteria include 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 Christopher Lawlor, an award-winning writer, who is a voting committee member and advisor for several major national high school events, including the McDonald’s All-American Games and Gatorade Player of the Year.  All Catholic high schools from the United States that feature only four-year players on 11-man teams are eligible for consideration. Fans are encouraged to follow the CAC Top 25 at www.Facebook.com/CACTop25 and on Twitter @CACTop25.

2017 Catholic Athletes for Christ Top 25
High School Football Preseason Rankings
Presented by Siena Heights University and Global Football
Aug.  23, 2017

By Christopher Lawlor
Catholic Athletes For Christ
National Correspondent

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – So, are you ready for some football?

Welcome to the inaugural Catholic Athletes for Christ Top 25 High School Football Rankings, presented by Siena Heights University and Global Football.  What started as an idea a year ago is now a reality.  That means Catholic high school programs nationwide will have a chance to earn a place in the CAC Top 25 and gain national recognition.  Traditionally, Catholic schools boast some of the top teams in their respective states and in some cases, belong to leagues that are composed of Catholic schools.

Rivalries have been forged over the years and the CAC Top 25 will mirror that passion for the sport.  We’ll preview the top games each week and present the exploits of top individual and team performances.  With high schools traveling more in recent years, it allows the CAC Top 25 to get a true flavor of intersectional games that will shake up the rankings especially in the first month.  Once the calendar reaches late September, teams will concentrate on local games and build their resume for the state playoffs, which start as early as mid-October in some states.

Top Four In Action

The most important game of the early season is Sept. 1 when it’s a mouthwatering 1 vs. 2 match between Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.) and Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) in California.  To keep you on the edge of your seats, this weekend No. 4 St. John Bosco travels to No. 3 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) in a nationally televised game on ESPN at 7pm ET.

Here’s the rankings breakdown.  The preseason CAC Top 25 features five schools from New Jersey and three from California, Pennsylvania and Ohio.  The CAC Top 25 is represented by 12 states and the District of Columbia.  Eleven schools captured state or conference championships in 2016.

Fans everywhere are encouraged to follow the CAC Top 25 through social media at www.Facebook.com/CACTop25 and on Twitter @CACTop25.

The CAC Top 25 rankings will return on Sept. 6 and then on Wednesdays throughout the regular season and until the conclusion of the postseason in December.  In January, we will declare our National Champion.  It’s a long season but it moves quickly when you are having a blast.

Enjoy the season and attend a game near you this weekend. – Christopher Lawlor

2017 Catholic Athletes for Christ Preseason Top 25, Aug. 23, 2017
Presented by Siena Heights University & Global Football

All players are seniors unless denoted. Records and statistics are from the 2016 season.

1. Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas, Nev. (15-0)
   Preseason Audibles: The Gaels roll out LB Palaie Gaoteote (USC), TE Brevin Jordan (Miami), OL Jacob Isala (6-foot-3, 275 pounds), DE Adam Plant (Arizona), LB Brandon Kaho (BYU), WR Jaden Mitchell (Arizona) and WR Jalen Nailor (Arizona State). Junior RB Amod Cianelli will see the majority of the carries but the development of dual threat QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson (UCLA commit) is crucial to his team’s success. A big road matchup with No. 2 Mater Dei is a massive test, so is the opening game.
   Opens: Aug. 25 vs. No. 5 DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.).

2. Mater Dei, Santa Ana, Calif. (13-1)
   Preseason Audibles: The return 10 starters on offense. Highly-touted QB JT Daniels (4,849 yards, 67 TDs passes, USC commit) has productive receivers in Amon-Ra St. Brown (21 TD receptions), CJ Parks (9 TDs, USC commit) and Nikko Remigio (7 TDs, California recruit). Jack Genova and Solomon Tuliaupupu lead the linebacking corps. A treacherous schedule includes a home game on Sept. 1 against top-ranked Bishop Gorman.
   Opens: Aug. 25 vs. Bishop Amat (La Puente, Calif.).

3. St. Thomas Aquinas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (13-2)
   Preseason Audibles: The secondary is one of the best in the nation, featuring Al Blades Jr. (Miami), Asante Samuel (Florida State) and Trenell Troutman (Louisville). WRs Tavares Kelly (Virginia) and Elijah Moore and junior RB Daniel Carter are the main threats on offense.
   Opens: Aug. 25 vs. No. 4 St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.).

4. St. John Bosco, Bellflower, Calif. (14-1)
   Preseason Audibles: The defending CIF Open Division state champions have roster that could pull it off again, including S Jaiden Woodbey (Ohio State), QB Re-al Mitchell (Iowa State) and DB Stephan Blaylock (UCLA). The high-powered offense features sophomore backup QB DJ Uiagalelei, who will see reps, and RB Demetrious Flowers. The opener is tough and so is a date with No. 2 Mater Dei on Oct. 13. The two will likely meet in the CIF Southern Section final in December.
   Opens: Aug. 25 at No. 3 St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) on ESPN.

5. DeMatha Catholic, Hyattsville, Md. (12-0)
   Preseason Audibles: OT Evan Gregory and DT Austin Fontaine are both committed to nearby Maryland and DE John Morgan (6-2, 250) is headed to Pittsburgh. The Washington Catholic Athletic Conference is rugged with the likes of Gonzaga, St. John’s College and Good Counsel. A fifth straight WCAC won’t come easy to the Stags.
   Opens: Aug. 25 vs. No. 1 Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas, Nev.).

6. St. Joseph Regional, Montvale, N.J. (9-2)
   Preseason Audibles: The Green Knights are in line to win a 19^th state title with QB Nick Patti (Pittsburgh) at the controls and TE Matt Alaimo (6-4, 240) as a big target. Coach Augie Hoffman’s team will play an unreal schedule against ranked teams Bergen Catholic, Don Bosco Prep, St. Peter’s Prep and St. John’s College (D.C.). Expect SJR to face De Paul Catholic in the Non-Public Group 3 state final in December.
   Opens: Sept. 2 vs. Deerfield Beach (Fla.).

7. Bergen Catholic, Oradell, N.J. (7-4)
   Preseason Audibles: Besides a loaded schedule, the Crusaders are flush with talent on both sides of the ball. QB Johnny Langan (Boston College commit) and junior RBs Josh McKenzie and Rahmir Johnson pace the offense and LB Javontae Jean-Baptiste is a monster defender.
   Opens: Sept. 2 vs. DePaul Catholic (Wayne, N.J.).

8. St. Joseph’s Prep, Philadelphia, Pa. (14-0)
   Preseason Audibles: The Hawks have won three of the four large-school state titles, including last year’s in first-ever Class AAAAAA. The passing combination of QB Marquez McCray and WR Darryle Simmons (Virginia Tech) is one of the best on the East Coast.
   Opens: Sept. 1 vs. Tampa (Fla.) Jesuit.

9. De La Salle, Concord, Calif. (11-2)
   Preseason Audibles: If the Spartans return to the CIF Open Division Bowl final, USC-bound DT Tuli Letuligasenoa (6-2, 290) and RB Kairee Robinson (2,012 yards, 25 TDs) will lead the way.
   Opens: Aug. 25 at Amador Valley (Pleasanton, Calif.).

10. St. Xavier, Cincinnati, Ohio (10-5)
    Preseason Audibles: The Bombers are fresh off winning the Division I state title in double overtime and will be among the favorite this season. Wisconsin-bound QB Chase Wolf threw for 1,291 yards and 15 scores and will eye receivers Cameron Specht, Matthew Fox and Andrew Wittrock.
    Opens: Aug. 26 vs. Hinsdale (Ill.) Central in the Skyline Chili Crosstown Showdown in Cincinnati.

11. St. Peter’s Prep, Jersey City, N.J. (8-4)
    Preseason Audibles: Notre Dame-bound twins Jayson and Justin Ademilola combined for 23 sacks a year ago and will be joined in South Bend by S Shayne Simon. S Zamir Mickens is committed to Rutgers.
    Opens: Sept. 1 vs. Union City (N.J.).

12. Loyola Academy, Wilmette, Ill. (13-1)
    Preseason Audibles: The Ramblers advanced to the Class 8A championship game but came up short. Coach John Holecek will have his team ready again with stiff competition from the Chicago Catholic League Blue against Brother Rice, Mount Carmel, St. Rita and Providence Catholic. There’s an intriguing home game with Bishop Amat (La Puente, Calif.) on Sept. 1.
    Opens: Aug. 26 at Phillips (Chicago, Ill.).

13. Archbishop Wood, Warminster, Pa. (11-2)
    Preseason Audibles: The defending Class AAAAA champions have LB Matt Palmer highlighting the defense and TE Kyle Pitts (6 TDs) will sign with Florida and S Nasir Peeples to Virginia Tech. The Vikings have a rugged opening to the season with three ranked teams but the local rivalry with No. 8 St. Joseph Prep is must-see on Sept. 15.
    Opens: Aug. 25 at Oxbridge Academy (West Palm Beach, Fla.).

14. Central Catholic, Pittsburgh, Pa. (14-2)
    Preseason Audibles: Though graduation claimed a chunk of players who helped the Vikings win the WPIAL Class AAAAAA title and reach the state final, the Pittsburgh school reloads with DE David Green.
    Opens: Aug. 25 at Cathedral Prep (Erie, Pa.).

15. Don Bosco Prep, Ramsey, N.J. (6-5)
    Preseason Audibles: Even though the Ironmen had a down season, the pieces are in place for recently hired coach Mike Teel. DT Tyler Friday (6-3, 270), DE Marcellus Earlington (6-5, 260) and S Kevin Brennan will kick-start the defense.
    Opens: Sept. 1 at Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.).

16. St. Ignatius, Cleveland, Ohio (13-2)
    Preseason Audibles: The Wildcats advanced to the Division I final but fell in double overtime. Expect OT Darian Kinnard (6-6, 315) and Jack Jamieson (6-2, 275) to dominate the O-line. RB Mark Bobinski and WRs Connor Kennedy and Michael Drobnick are returning starters.
    Opens: Aug. 24 at Archbishop Hoban (Akron, Ohio).

17. Christian Brothers College, St. Louis, Mo. (11-2)
    Preseason Audibles: QB Brett Gabbert passed for 2,965 yards and 31 TDs; WR/DB Kamryn Babb scored 14 TDs and WR Cameron Brown is committed to Nebraska. The Cadets opened last weekend against locals Miller Career Academy.
    Next: Aug. 25 at Christian Brothers (Memphis, Tenn.).

18. St. John’s College, Washington, D.C. (8-4)
    Preseason Audibles: A pair of defenders, DT Cameron Goode (Virginia Tech) and CB DJ Brown (Virginia) are off to ACC schools and pro-style QB Kevin Doyle is an impact transfer from the Philadelphia area. The Cadets welcome back five key offensive weapons, including Joachim Bangda, Keilan Robinson and Kwincy Hall.

Opens: Aug. 26 vs. Jones (Orlando, Fla.).

19. Bishop Sullivan Catholic, Virginia Beach, Va. (7-3)
    Preseason Audibles: Maryland-bound QB Tyler Desue is a dual threat who rushed for 243 yards and threw for 1,600 yards and 15 scores. LB Teradji Mitchell (6-2, 245) is the top defender and will sign with Ohio State.
    Opens: Aug. 26 at American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.).

20. Jesuit, Portland, Ore. (12-1)
    Preseason Audibles: The Crusaders advanced to the Class 6A quarterfinals but will need a healthy RB Trey Lowe, who rushed for 1,765 yards and 34 TDs in eight games, before a rib injury ended his season. TE/LB Isaiah Henderson-Brazie and OL Travis Spreen are returning all-state selections.
    Opens: Sept. 1 vs. Tigard (Ore.).

21. Archbishop Rummel, Metairie, La. (7-4)
    Preseason Audibles: After a down year, the Raiders are poised to regain the top spot in the New Orleans Catholic League (District 9-5A) with a high-powered receiving corps paced by Florida-bound Ja’Marr Chase.
    Opens: Sept. 1 at Gulfport (Miss.)

22. St. Edward, Lakewood, Ohio (9-3)
    Preseason Audibles: The Eagles compete in the one of the nation’s toughest region’s (Ohio Division I, Region 1) and feature S Michael Dowell (6-0, 195), a Michigan State commit.
    Opens: Aug. 25 at McDowell (Erie, Pa.).

23. Trinity, Louisville, Ky. (15-0)
    Preseason Audibles: Coach Bob Beatty’s team carries a 50-game win streak into the season after winning the program’s 24^th state title last December. Texas-bound WR Rondale Moore is a candidate for Kentucky’s Mr. Football. The Shamrocks opened last week against Carmel (Ind.).
    Next: Aug. 25 at Warren Central (Indianapolis, Ind.).

24. St. Frances Academy, Baltimore, Md. (10-2)
    Preseason Audibles: Two of the MIAA A Conference’s top recruits—DE Eyabi Anoma and OT Jaelyn Duncan (6-5, 300)—bolster the Panthers.
    Opens: Sept. 1 vs. No. 19 Bishop Sullivan Catholic (Virginia Beach, Va.).

25. Paramus Catholic, Paramus, N.J. (10-2)
    Preseason Audibles: DE Dorian Hardy (6-5, 250) has verballed to Penn State and the Paladins play a loaded schedule, prepping them for a Non-Public Group 4 state title defense.
    Opens: Sept. 2 at No. 13 Archbishop Wood (Warminster, Pa.).

Others to Consider: De Paul Catholic (Wayne, N.J.); Dowling Catholic (West Des Moines, Iowa); McGill-Toolen Catholic (Mobile, Ala.); St. Paul’s School (Covington, La.); Chaminade (West Hills, Calif.); La Salle (Cincinnati, Ohio); St. Xavier (Louisville, Ky.) and Totino-Grace (Fridley, Minn.); Cathedral Prep (Erie, Pa.).

Global Football has also formed an alliance with Catholic Athletes For Christ to take high school-aged players to Italy, to participate in the inaugural 7-on-7 Roma Bowl tournament from June 10-17, 2018.  Click here for more information for how to take your school on the visit of a lifetime: http://www.globalfootball.com/roma-bowl-2018/

About: The Catholic Athletes for Christ Top 25 High School Football Rankings, presented by Siena Heights University and Global Football are released on Wednesdays from September until the conclusion of the high school season in December. Criteria include 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 Christopher Lawlor, an award-winning writer, who is a voting committee member and advisor for several major national high school events, including the McDonald’s All-American Games and Gatorade Player of the Year.  All Catholic high schools from the United States that feature only four-year players on 11-man teams are eligible for consideration. Fans are encouraged to follow the CAC Top 25 at www.Facebook.com/CACTop25 and on Twitter @CACTop25.

Catholic Athletes for Christ (CAC) honored Ms. Aurora Griffin, former U-18 national champion in equestrian show jumping, with its annual Courage Award at an awards ceremony held at Marymount University in Arlington, Va., on April 23.  Ms. Griffin was honored for her courageous efforts in leading the protest of the Satanic “Black Mass” on the campus at Harvard University during his senior year at the school. The event was initially taken off campus but ultimately canceled.  She also recently published a book titled, “How I Stayed Catholic at Harvard: Forty Tips for Faithful College Students“.

In addition to honoring Ms. Griffin, CAC also recognized a senior male and female student-athlete from each of the five Catholic high schools and two Catholic colleges located within the Arlington Diocese for their academic, athletic, and Catholic service activities.

Highlighting the event was the participation of the newly installed bishop of the Arlington Diocese, the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, who has been a long-time supporter of CAC and is a member of the organization’s Episcopal Board.