Game Previews: St. John the Baptist Vs Holy Trinity

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top matchups of Week One will feature two stacked teams, let's break down the matchup. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Breakdown</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Coach Philip Alba</strong> led his Cougars to a <strong>2-8 </strong>record after a disappointing 2024 season. <strong>Holy Trinity and Holy Cross</strong> were the two wins for the Cougars. Some of the loses from last season came at the hands of <strong>St. Francis Prep, Iona Prep, Chaminade, St. Anthony's, and St. Peter's</strong>. The Cougars look to bounce back this season, and have started the season 0-1 following a loss to <strong>St. Francis Prep 41-27</strong>. Despite the loss, team leaders [player_tooltip player_id='1472344' first='Kevin' last='Peters'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1333888' first='Maurice' last='Scott'] dominated, creating a deadly duo which should put the Catholic League on notice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2025 Schedule </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a 0-1 start, St. John the Baptist will look to get revenge this week and the rest of the season following a below average 2024. With that being said let's look at the 2025 Schedule. Eight games remain on the schedule for the Cougars with Holy Trinity, Xaverian, Kellenburg Memorial, Christ The King, and St. Peter's being the toughest matchups this season. Despite the veteran leadership, I see a 4-4 record over the final eight games. Wins include Holy Cross, Christ The King, and Cardinal Spellman. Loses come from St. Peter's Kellenburg Memorial, and Fordham Prep. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/west-islip/st-john-the-baptist-cougars/football/schedule">https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/west-islip/st-john-the-baptist-cougars/football/schedule</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Player To Watch</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table {"className":"is-style-stripes"} --> <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>2026 QB <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/maurice-scott/">[player_tooltip player_id='1333888' first='Maurice' last='Scott']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2026 EDGE <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/brandon-moloney/">[player_tooltip player_id='806234' first='Brandon' last='Moloney']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2026 WR/DB <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/brandon-moloney/">[player_tooltip player_id='1678458' first='James' last='Conway']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2026 WR <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/kevin-peters/">[player_tooltip player_id='1472344' first='Kevin' last='Peters']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2026 LB <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jovan-bonilla/">[player_tooltip player_id='1206379' first='Jovan' last='Bonilla']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2028 OL <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/michael-webster/">[player_tooltip player_id='1231909' first='Michael' last='Webster']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2028 LB<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/tyler-jerrick/"> [player_tooltip player_id='1227473' first='Tyler' last='Jerrick']</a></strong></td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3 Keys To The Game </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Control The Line</strong>. With one of the top Quarterbacks in the state lining up under center, protecting him and allowing the offense time to create plays, is key to scoring points. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Set The Tone. </strong>Following a loss this team is hungry. With the duo of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1472344' first='Kevin' last='Peters']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1333888' first='Maurice' last='Scott']</strong> staring in Week 0. Allowing the duo to get working early will be the key to gaining an early lead. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Defense</strong>. In the Catholic League Defense is key. Each week we see a top matchup in the state against two teams that continually play each other. With a stacked Offense in Holy Trinity, setting the tone on defense is a big piece needed to win this game. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Holy Trinity Breakdown</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coach Gino Tassone led his Titans to a 1-10 season in 2024. The lone win for Holy Trinity came against Mt. Saint Michael Academy by a score of 47-32. Some key loses for the Titans came at the hands of La Salle Academy, St. John the Baptist, Chaminade, Xavier, St. Francis Prep, and St. Joseph By The Sea. The Titans have yet to play a game this season, but have a positive outlook following a disappointing 2024 campaign</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2025 Schedule</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nine games remain on the schedule for Holy Trinity as the team is yet to play a game. Following last year, the Catholic League Titans look to revenge the 2024 campaign. I see Holy Trinity finishing with a record of 3-6 which is an improvement from their 2024 season. The three wins I project the Titans to win come from Nazareth, Mt. St. Michael Academy, and St. Dominic. Key loses for this season come at the hands of St. John the Baptist, Fordham Prep, Xaverian, and St. Peter's. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/hicksville/holy-trinity-titans/football/schedule">https://www.maxpreps.com/ny/hicksville/holy-trinity-titans/football/schedule</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Players To Watch </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table {"className":"is-style-stripes"} --> <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-stripes"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong>2026 ATH/WR <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/calvin-gray/">[player_tooltip player_id='1797999' first='Calvin' last='Gray']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2026 DL <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/danny-burgin-iii/">[player_tooltip player_id='1098377' first='Danny' last='Burgin III']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2027 WR <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/darnell-rink/">[player_tooltip player_id='1639428' first='Darnell' last='Rink']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2027 DB/WR <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/marcus-abellard/">[player_tooltip player_id='1803713' first='Marcus' last='Abellard']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2027 RB <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/victor-castellanos/">[player_tooltip player_id='606318' first='Victor' last='Castellanos']</a></strong></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2028 DL <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/dylan-pierce/">[player_tooltip player_id='1367233' first='Dylan' last='Pierce']</a></strong></td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3 Keys To The Game</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Defense</strong>. Playing against a star studded offense that includes players like [player_tooltip player_id='1472344' first='Kevin' last='Peters'], Marcus Scott, and [player_tooltip player_id='1231909' first='Michael' last='Webster'], it is key for Holy Trinity to set the tone early and be physical against this offense. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Shut Down The Pass Game</strong>. [player_tooltip player_id='1472344' first='Kevin' last='Peters'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1333888' first='Maurice' last='Scott'] are priority one for Holy Trinity on Defense. If the Titans want to win this game, forcing the Cougars to run the ball and taking away their main threats will be a huge win for Holy Trinity. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Start Hot</strong>. [player_tooltip player_id='1639428' first='Darnell' last='Rink'], [player_tooltip player_id='606318' first='Victor' last='Castellanos'], [player_tooltip player_id='1797999' first='Calvin' last='Gray'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1803713' first='Marcus' last='Abellard'] will all impact the game on the offensive side of the ball. Getting the ball in their playmakers hands and starting hot is key to having a chance in this game. </li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->