He’s going from chapel to Chapel Hill.
Gary Merrill, a standout St. Anthony’s High School midfielder, had everything all planned out as a junior when he committed in 2023 to the University of North Carolina to play lacrosse.
Suddenly, everything changed for the all-set senior when then-UNC football coach Mack Brown wanted Merrill, the Friars’ quarterback on the gridiron, to play two sports for the Tar Heels in late November.
“Originally, I didn’t know if I wanted to play both if I got the opportunity,” Merrill told The Post.
Then, on Dec. 11, the sports world was rocked when legendary eight-time Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Belichick was named UNC’s head football coach.
“I was speechless at first,” said Merrill, who grew up a Packers fan and admired how Belichick and Tom Brady “would always find a way to win.”
Last week, Merrill, who said he developed deep faith during his four years at the prestigious Catholic school, dually committed to North Carolina for football under arguably the greatest coach in the game’s history.
“I felt like God was telling me that this is the right decision,” he said.
Belichick’s son, Stephen, played lax at Rutgers and former Patriots wideout and two-time Super Bowl champ Chris Hogan also participated in the stick sport, so Merrill is extra confident that his new coach “loves the lacrosse guys.”
Another sign of the faith Merrill developed at the South Huntington school was when he signed without even interacting with the historic football figure.
“I don’t want to be like I’m some hotshot trying to talk to him; I don’t want to pressure him or anything,” said Merrill, who added that recruiting technicalities halted their chances to interact.
“So whenever he has the time, I’m going to try to talk to him or meet him.”
When the moment arises, the new QB plans some choice first words.
“I’m going to tell him, thank you for the opportunity,” he said.
A mystery of faith
Moments of fate and faith have defined the Bayport boy’s high school tenure.
Merrill chose the academically rigorous school, where a 74 is a failing mark, just days before his freshman year started. He passed on public school to be better recognized on the football field.
“Long Island [public school] football is a lot different than the Catholic league,” he said. “There’s way better competition,” Merrill added of playing at the private school.
While most students take a challenging standardized entrance exam months ahead of the semester, Merrill had to face the music in a sudden interview with the school’s brass.
He successfully explained why some of his not-so-ideal COVID-time middle school marks wouldn’t dictate the Friar’s future.
“Going to St. Anthony’s probably became the best decision I ever made,” Merrill said. “If I didn’t, I know I wouldn’t have been looked at for football like I was. Playing for Belichick probably never would have happened.”
St. Anthony’s varsity football coach, Joe Minucci, first thought Merrill was poised for greatness after a dominant performance in week three of his junior year against Cardinal Hayes.
“At the time, we had three people battling for starting quarterback. After that game, the rest was history,” Minucci, also the school’s athletic director, told The Post.
As a sophomore the year prior in 2022, Merrill was offered a backup spot on the varsity football team but made the bittersweet yet mature decision to pass on the opportunity.
Merrill rationalized that more on-field experience at the JV level would help in the long run, even though it meant missing the school’s most recent title that season — a dominant performance over 2021 champion Iona Prep of Westchester.
“I’ve always wanted to win a Catholic league [football] championship,” Merrill said. “But I think, ultimately, I made the right decision because of the opportunity now.”
Sign of lacrosse
Regarding the big picture, he didn’t miss out too much, however.
In Belichick-esque fashion, the St. Anthony’s boys lacrosse team has had a remarkable five-peat of consecutive titles, all against arch-rival Chaminade.
Merrill has led the charge to victory in the past three seasons and is looking to turn the championship streak into an even number this spring.
“I’m a little bit nervous. Both teams are really loaded this year,” he said. “But I know we can do it.”
After that, the star athlete who turns 18 in July diverts his attention to growing in the ACC figuratively and literally. As one of the younger athletes in both programs, he’s been pumping iron in the weight room to become conditioned for his freshman year in college.
“I know the Belichick way is ‘do your job,’ ” Merrill said. “I need to be ready when I get there. So I’ve been working hard.”
