Deer Park's Christian Myrick ready to build on strong freshman season
Deer Park defender Christian Myrick, left, battles for the ball intended for Glenn receiver GJ Cook during the fifth annual 7-on-7 Tournament of Bad Habits on Aug. 4 in Northport. Credit: Michael A. Rupolo Sr.
Good football players come and go every year on Long Island, but the transcendent ones are few and far between. The guys people remember for years. Deer Park sophomore Christian Myrick might just be the next one.
Myrick took Suffolk Division II by storm in 2025 — and that was a mere 14-year-old, 5-9, 160-pound freshman. As the only freshman on the Falcons’ roster last year, he racked up 12 total touchdowns in five ways: five rushing, four receiving, one interception return, one kickoff return and one punt return. He totaled 825 all-purpose yards in eight games.
Though fast and shifty, Myrick also prides himself on his physicality.
“Me being young, they didn’t expect me to be as physical as them," Myrick said, "so running through guys and going up for those contested catches made me feel positive about myself being there against the older kids.
Myrick helped Deer Park break a 13-game losing streak in his varsity debut, but the team finished just 2-6. However, the program’s future looks bright, and Myrick is a big reason why.
Now 15, he has grown four inches and gained 15 pounds, now standing at 6-1 and weighing 175. He also played varsity basketball and then sprinted for the varsity outdoor track team, helping improve his overall athleticism.
He is ready to take the next step, and to bring his team with him.
“This year, I really want to focus on stepping up into that leadership role,” Myrick said. “Not only do I want us to make it to the playoffs, but I also want to win a playoff game. We haven’t won one since the 1995 season. We want to get there, show everyone that we came to stay and that we’re not the same team as last year. I’m very confident that will happen.”
Though he is listed as a wide receiver and cornerback, that is more of a formality. Coach Cody Ciolino will use him in any way possible to maximize his team’s chances of getting to the Suffolk II playoffs.
“I don’t think there’s many Christian Myricks that come around,” Ciolino said. “His athleticism is one thing, but with his competitiveness on game days, I don’t think there’s anyone willing to do as much as he is to give us a chance to win.”
Mike Anderson is a high school sports reporter who has covered 12 sports so far at Newsday. He was the sports editor of Stony Brook University's campus newspaper for two years.
