Kellenberg football's balanced offense leads to victory over St. John the Baptist
Kellenberg's Quinn Saccheri leaps over teammate Christopher Biondi for a touchdown against St. John the Bapstist during a CHSFL AA-1 football game in West Islip on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. Credit: Brittney Dietz
The Kellenberg football team is known for its passing game, but its backfield helped carry the Firebirds to victory.
Sophomore Quinn Saccheri scored two touchdowns, junior Douglas Cristales added another, and junior Brendan Barkley contributed 68 all-purpose yards to lead visiting Kellenberg to a 38-27 victory over St. John the Baptist in a CHSFL AA-I matchup Saturday afternoon.
"It’s a three-headed monster,” coach Eric Meisse said. “We split the carries so we can keep them fresh. They always play at a high level, so it’s a huge advantage for us.”
Saccheri had 80 all-purpose yards. Cristales had 103 rushing yards. Quarterback Brayden Farrelly completed 12 passes for 201 yards and a TD, and he ran for a score.
"We gave it all we got every single play,” Cristales said. “I had to run with my eyes up and look through everything and keep running hard.”
Kellenberg (4-2) took a 14-0 lead on Saccheri's 4-yard TD run and Cristales' 19-yard TD run in the first quarter.
St. John the Baptist (3-3) scored three touchdowns in the second quarter and Kellenberg reached the end zone twice in the second period. Devin Michaels found junior wide receiver Brandon Hunter for a 20-yard TD to put the Cougars on the board, and Farrelly answered with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Finn Hastings. Hunter returned the ensuing kickoff 78 yards for a TD before Farrelly added a 5-yard TD run. Jordan Redding then returned a fumble for a 20-yard touchdown as St. John the Baptist cut Kellenberg's lead to 28-20 before halftime.
“We have so many weapons,” Farrelly said. “We don’t have to pass, we can run, too. We have guys all over the field.”
In the third quarter, Saccheri extended Kelleberg's lead 35-20 with a 5-yard score. Hastings made a 20-yard field goal to push the lead 38-20 in the final frame.
Redding scored the final touchdown of the game for St. John the Baptist.
"We play for each other, not for ourselves,” Farrelly said. “This is the best group of guys I’ve been a part of for a football team and with wins stacking up makes it all the better.”
The Kellenberg offensive line, including Christopher Biondi, Alfonso Yevoli, and Christian Jean-Francois, helped create run lanes.
“They gave me the blocks needed," Saccheri said. “They made the holes for me and I just followed.”
"We’re blessed,” Meisse said. “It’s anchored by some great seniors. They really make life easier.”
Jonathan Ruban covers high school sports for Newsday after graduating from St. John’s.
