WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Week 1 is here.
Saint Andrew’s opens its 2026 regular season Friday night on the road against The King’s Academy in the ESPN West Palm High School Game of the Week, with kickoff set for 6:30 p.m.
The Scots enter the matchup following a 28–14 Week 0 victory over Boynton Beach, a game that showed plenty of potential but also left areas to improve before the games begin counting.
Senior quarterback Jack Williams was one of Saint Andrew’s biggest standouts, showing his arm strength and ability to extend plays outside the pocket. Defensively, Jack Whelchel recorded two interceptions, while Wesley Winn and Caden Ranawat made their presence felt on both sides of the football.
Friday presents a much different challenge.
King’s already sits at 1–0 after defeating Florida Christian 20–14 last Friday. The Lions broke a 7–7 halftime tie with 13 third-quarter points before holding on for the victory.
One of the biggest names Saint Andrew’s will have to account for is Aydan Elam, a Class of 2029 cornerback who transferred to King’s from Cardinal Newman.
Elam is already considered one of the country’s premier young defensive backs. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound prospect carries a 90 rating from 247Sports. As a freshman, he recorded 25 tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions and three pass breakups in 10 games. He also competes in track and has posted an 11.26-second 100-meter time.
New Era Prep recently ranked Elam among its top Class of 2029 players in the 561, placing him seventh in its preseason rankings.
That makes Friday an especially interesting test for a Saint Andrew’s passing attack that showed flashes against Boynton but could look to become more involved in Week 1. Williams will have weapons including Winn, but throwing against a secondary featuring Elam creates an immediate challenge.
For Saint Andrew’s, the formula is straightforward: start faster, sustain drives and clean up defensively.
The Scots overcame an early 7–0 deficit against Boynton, but empty possessions will become more costly against stronger competition. Saint Andrew’s will also look to maintain the aggressive defense that created turnovers in Week 0 while becoming more consistent from snap to snap.
There is history between these programs as well. Saint Andrew’s defeated King’s 28–24 last season, meaning the Lions will have an opportunity to answer that loss Friday night on their home field.
Week 0 gave Saint Andrew’s its first look at the 2026 team.
Friday night provides the first result that counts.
Saint Andrew’s (0–0) at The King’s Academy (1–0)
Friday, Aug. 21 — 6:30 p.m.
ESPN West Palm High School Game of the Week
Written by: Aiden Herzog
