Myers’ move to defense pays dividends for Goose Creek star

There’s something scary about Michael Myers in the fall.

And, it’s not the movie character who slashed his way to fame in the immensely popular “Halloween” series. This Michael Myers causes fear because of his brute size and strength as a defensive tackle for the Goose Creek Gators. Opposing coaches scheme against him. Opposing players try to avoid him. His coaches praise him.

“Mike is so strong, rugged and explosive,” said coach Chuck Reedy, whose team hosts Beaufort at 7:30 p.m. today. “He’s a great student. He’s everything you’re looking for in a player. He plays every play with a lot of enthusiasm.”

Myers began his high school career as a 240-pound fullback. Today, he’s a 280-pound defensive tackle committed to play for East Carolina.

He opened eyes his first two years on the varsity team. In his first year in the backfield, he rushed for 166 yards, averaging 7.6 yards per carry. He followed that with 444 yards rushing his sophomore season. But there was a big obstacle. Virgil Smalls was the other fullback, and he was a scoring machine, averaging a TD every five carries.

“I called Mike into my office and told him he would split time at best,” Reedy said. “I told him he was too good of an athlete to be standing on the sideline. We talked about him playing the defensive line and he thought it was great. It’s what we wanted to do. But more importantly, it’s what he wanted to do.”

The transition was smooth enough to help the Gators post a 14-1 record and win their first state championship in school history. Smalls rushed for 1,279 yards and scored 40 touchdowns while Myers was unblockable at times. He tackled runners, got pressure up the middle on passing plays, and most importantly clogged the lanes so the Gators’ four talented linebackers could roam free.

He’s averaging 4.5 tackles per games this season, and Reedy feels his player is as good as Mike Hill of Pendleton, who is considered to be the best defensive lineman in the state.

Myers said East Carolina will be a good fit. He’s making his official visit on Oct. 13 and the ECU staff has been in touch every week.