Holy Trinity transfer Devin Michaels leads St. John the Baptist football to season-opening win
Devin Michaels of St. John the Baptist throws a pass against Eagle Academy III (Queens) on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, in West Islip. Credit: Michael A. Rupolo Sr.
Just a few months ago, Devin Michaels was at Holy Trinity, whose football program was on the verge of folding. He found a new home at St. John the Baptist, and the senior quarterback delivered immediately.
Michaels threw for 161 yards and two touchdowns and added a rushing score to lead St. John the Baptist to a 42-14 victory over Eagle Academy III (Queens) in its season-opening non-league matchup on Saturday in West Islip.
“I’m happy and I’m blessed,” Michaels said. “I love these kids. I love my team. Everything about it. It’s an amazing football program.”
Michaels earned the starting job after arriving at St. John the Baptist and competing with junior Finn Hansen, who has since emerged as a starter at defensive back.
“I’m incredibly proud of him,” St. John the Baptist coach Phil Alba said of Michaels. “He just did everything that we could ask a kid to do. His leadership and his football IQ are the things that really stand out the most.”
On the Cougars’ first possession, Michaels connected with sophomore Shane McLaughlin for a 31-yard touchdown to take a 6-0 lead with 7:35 left in the first quarter.
Eagle Academy tied the score at 6 on Jordan Smith’s 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, but St. John the Baptist responded with 23 consecutive points.
Michaels found Jordan Redding for a 13-yard touchdown, Brandon Hunter returned an interception 76 yards for a score and Kalen Percer added a 19-yard touchdown run as the Cougars built a 29-6 lead with less than a minute left in the first half.
Percer also recorded two punishing tackles for loss to help slow down Eagle Academy’s speedy offense.
“We put out a statement today,” Percer said. “Eagle is a really good team in the PSAL, so it was a great opportunity to show what we can do.”
Redding, Chris Trinca and the rest of the front seven consistently generated pressure, which benefited the secondary.
With St. John the Baptist leading 36-14 in the third quarter, Hansen recorded the Cougars’ second interception. Alba said Hansen has begun to excel as a defensive back.
“We’ve been preparing all week,” Hansen said. “We watched film, and I feel like we found the perfect defense to stop them.”
The Cougars cruised to a 28-point win over a contender in the PSAL 3A division, and Michaels made his first opportunity count.
“My work ethic didn’t change whether I had a school or not,” Michaels said. “I was still out on the field working every day. I knew I was going to do what I had to do, regardless of where I was.”
