PALM BEACH COUNTY – How about them St. Andrew’s Scots?

They are a team that few – if any – pegged as a top tier team before the season started. But they are a well-rounded team that’s well-coached (led by head coach Jimmy Robertson), as evidenced by the few mistakes they make in games played as a unit.

Despite not playing a particularly strong schedule, St. Andrew’s (6-1) is in good position to host a Class 3A-Region 4 playoff game next month. This is due to this team’s FHSAA RPI rating, which has them at .591, behind only current No. 1 Calvary Christian Academy (8-0; .745) and No. 2 Chaminade-Madonna (6-1; .665).

In St. Andrew’s 29-20 win over Ransom Everglades (6–1), freshman athlete Bill Young (younger brother of junior quarterback Jeremiah Young) caught two interceptions on defense, while rushing for 50 yards on six carries and a score. The Scots handed the Raiders their first loss of the season.

Since its season-opening 22-14 to Palmer Trinity, St. Andrew’s has enjoyed a six-game winning streak, with wins over Pembroke Pines Charter (22-14 in Week 2), Boca Raton Christian (53-20 in Week 3), Berean Christian (43-12 in Week 5), Somerset Academy Canyons (29-28 in Week 6), LaSalle (25-8 in Week 7), and Ransom Everglades (29-20 in Week 8).

St. Andrew’s has a good shot at finishing the regular season at 9–1, with games against Lake Highland Prep (Home in Week 9), St. John Paul II (Away in Week 10), and Pine Crest (Away in Week 11). The Scots three upcoming opponents are a combined 7-12 right now.

Key players for St. Andrew’s: QB Jeremiah Young (2021), LB Matt Goodman (2020), ATH Matthew James (2022), RB Jovan Jospeh (2021), ATH Bill Young (2023)

Depending on this season shakes out, St. Andrew’s could be a continuously rising program over the next few years. You never know what could unfold.

What has been said represents our explanation for St. Andrew’s earning its first Top 10 spot. And now, our entire Top 10 for this edition:

TOP 10: WEEK 8

1. Palm Beach Lakes (7A; 6-0) [LW: 1]
2. Delray Beach Atlantic (7A; 4-2) [LW: 2]
3. Palm Beach Gardens (8A; 5-1) [LW: 3]
4. Delray Beach American Heritage (4A; 5-2) [LW: 4]
5. Palm Beach Central (8A; 5-2) [LW: 5]
6. Glades Central (4A; 4-3) [LW: 6]
7. Santaluces (8A; 5–1) [LW: 7]
8. Cardinal Newman (3A; 5-1) [LW: 9]
9. Jupiter (8A; 5-2) [LW: NR]
10. St. Andrew’s (3A; 6-1) [LW: NR]

Dropped from rankings: Former No. 8 Benjamin (4-3), Former No. 10 Seminole Ridge (4-2)

Teams on outside looking in: Benjamin (4-3), Boca Raton (4-3), Forest Hill (4-3), Park Vista (5-3), Seminole Ridge (4-2)

PARK VISTA = ALMOST THERE

What’s keeping Park Vista from cracking our Top 10 is the fact it hasn’t had a single quality win this season. Yes, Park Vista’s 35-0 win over Lake Worth in Week 8 sounds convincing, but its 35-3 loss to No. 3 Palm Beach Gardens in Week 7 is alarming to us.

Park Vista does have three quality losses, with the others coming against No. 9 Cardinal Newman (13-2 defeat in Week 1) and No. 5 Palm Beach Central (29-21 defeat in Week 5). This team’s final two regular season games are against ranked teams (No. 6 Glades Central in Week 9 and No. 7 Santaluces in Week 10), which will give the Cobras a legitimate shot at cracking our Top 10 to end the season.

But its five wins have come against the likes of Boynton Beach (41-0 in Week 2), Wellington (21-10 in Week 3), Spanish River (35-3 in Week 4), John I. Leonard (34-0 in Week 6), and Lake Worth. These five teams are a combined 7-28 for the season as of right now (.200 winning percentage).

And one other thing: If the season ended today, Park Vista would not be participating in the Class 8A playoffs. At a .508 FHSAA RPI rating, the Cobras at currently at No. 12 in 8A-Region 3, one spot being fellow Top 10 contender and current No. 11 Boca Raton (.520).

IN THE CONVERSATION

Speaking of Boca Raton, hats off to this once left for dead program in its convincing 38-14 home win over Monarch in Week 8.

At 4-3, the Bobcats have a legitimate shot at qualifying for the 8A playoffs. All they need to do (most likely) is win their next and final three regular season games, which is actually doable.

Boca Raton’s next three contests are against No. 7 Santaluces (Week 9 at home), Spanish River (Week 10
on the road), and Dwyer (Week 11 at home). A win over Santaluces might put Boca Raton in our Top 10 next week.

WEEK 9 SLATE

No. 1 Palm Beach Lakes: Home vs. Dwyer (2-4) – Friday, Oct. 18, 6:30 p.m. kickoff

No. 2 Atlantic: Away at state powerhouse Lake City-Columbia (6–1) – Friday, Oct. 18, 7:30 p.m. kickoff

No. 3 Palm Beach Gardens: Home vs. Wellington (2-6) – Thursday, Oct. 17, 6:30 p.m. kickoff

No. 4 Delray Beach American Heritage: Home vs. Champagnat Catholic (5-2) – Friday, Oct. 18, 7 p.m. kickoff

No. 5 Palm Beach Central: Home vs. No. 9 Jupiter (5-2) – Friday, Oct. 18, 6:30 p.m. kickoff

No. 6 Glades Central: Away at Park Vista (5-3) – Thursday, Oct. 17, 6 p.m. kickoff

No. 7 Santaluces: Away at Boca Raton (4-3) – Friday, Oct. 18, 6:30 p.m. kickoff

No. 8 Cardinal Newman: Home vs. Treasure Coast (6-1) – Thursday, Oct. 17, 7 p.m. kickoff

No. 9 Jupiter: Away at No. 5 Palm Beach Central (5-2) – Friday, Oct. 18, 6:30 p.m. kickoff

No. 10 St. Andrew’s: Home vs. Lake Highland Prep – Friday, Oct. 18, 7 p.m. kickoff

OTHER KEY WEEK 9 GAMES

Benjamin (4-3) at North Broward Prep (2-5) – Friday, Oct. 18, 7 p.m. kickoff

Boca Raton (4-3) vs. No. 7 Santaluces (5-1) – Friday, Oct. 18, 7 p.m.

Forest Hill (4-3) at Olympic Heights (2-5) – Thursday, Oct. 17, 6:30 p.m. kickoff

Park Vista (5-3) vs. No. 6 Glades Central (4-3) – Thursday, Oct. 17, 6 p.m. kickoff

Seminole Ridge (4-2) at Pahokee (1-5) – Friday, Oct. 18, 7 p.m. kickoff

NEXT RANKINGS UPDATE: Monday, Oct. 21 or Tuesday, Oct. 22