Preseason Perspective: Male WR Max Gainey
We’re now less than one month away from the start of another high school football season in the state of Kentucky. Heading into the season, KSR will be interviewing some of the state’s brightest high school football stars, getting to hear their thoughts and perspectives before another exciting year of football across the Commonwealth. We’ve already spoken with Corbin’s Kade Elam, CAL’s Cole Hodge, Frederick Douglass’ Demeco Kennedy, Raceland’s Logan Lundy, and Taylor County’s Hayes Johnson. Next up is Male’s Max Gainey.
Male’s Max Gainey is entering his senior season apart of Male’s 1-2 receiver punch with fellow three-star receiver Antonio Harris. Gainey, who stands at just 5-foot-9, is about as electrifying as you can get on a football field. The Purdue and Louisville target made himself a household name in last season’s 6A State Championship game, where he finished with 153 receiving yards and a touchdown en route to a spot on KSR’s All-State Championship Team. Gainey, who On3 predicts is a 100% lock to be a Purdue Boilermaker, detailed what goes into picking a college that is perfect for him.
“Really the most important thing to me is if I feel like I’m at home,” Gainey said. “I think a lot of people get caught in the hype certain schools have but for me it’s really simple; treat me like I’m at home and one of yours. I’m going to come in and give you my best foot forward. I can promise that.”
After three seasons of sitting behind Nic Schutte and Lucas Colber at the quarterback position, senior Kolter Smith will finally take the reigns at the position this season. Although he wasn’t the week-to-week starter last year, Smith did finish with 871 passing yards and 12 touchdowns on 96 pass attempts last season. Now, the childhood trio of Smith, Gainey, and Antonio Harris will finally get to reunite for their hometown squad.
“Me, Antonio and Kolter have been either playing with each other or against each other since we were in elementary, so the chemistry will always be there,” Gainey said. “But I think just the countless snaps at practice and extra reps we try to get are going to eventually transfer to the game, so I think Kolter will come in and kill this season. He’s had a chip on his shoulder since he’s entered high school and he’s going to leave a good name at Male.”
High praise for the senior gunslinger.
The Bulldogs experienced a rollercoaster ride of a final two weeks to their 2022 season. Facing off against Ballard in a 6A semifinal matchup, Cobler was stopped on the one-yard line down three with 27 seconds remaining. The Ballard crowd went crazy, as it appeared that the Bruins would be heading to their first State Championship game since 1984 thanks to their fourth down stuff. However, that would not be the case. On the ensuing play, the Bruins fumbled the snap, allowing Male senior Korrey Mattingly to scoop-and-score, sending the Bulldogs to Kroger Field in an absolute heartbreaker for the Ballard faithful.
Gainey detailed the experience, saying “Man, I couldn’t even explain. I had my hands in my head on the bench after not scoring on the one-yard line and I just thought it was over man. I was just thinking everything and how the season went and then I heard a lot of screaming. I lifted my head up and saw Korrey running down the field throwing up the peace sign and I couldn’t believe it man. One of the best games I’ve ever played in in my life.”
Just eight days later, Male found themselves in yet another instant classic in the 6A State Championship game against Bullitt East. It didn’t take long for Gainey to make his presence known, as he took a Lucas Cobler screen pass 74 yards to the house on their first play of the game.
Male went up 14-0 in the first quarter before the Chargers could even get settled in. Bullitt East quickly knotted things up at 14 apiece heading into halftime, but the Bulldogs would come out of the half firing on all cylinders, taking a 10-point lead into the fourth quarter. A Travis Egan-to-Nolan Davenport touchdown with eight minutes remaining cut the lead to just four, but a field goal from Male’s Lance Gossett made it a seven-point game with 1:43 remaining. What happened next would go down as the most important drive in the history of Bullitt East football.
Louisville preferred walk-on Egan led the Chargers on a masterful drive, culminating with a 16-yard touchdown from Egan to Camron Brogan with 53 seconds remaining. Bullitt East head coach and KSR’s 2022 Coach of the Year Keegan Kendrick made a gutsy call, going for two instead of the tie. He drew up a “Philly Special-esque” play that worked to perfection, putting the improbable Chargers in front 28-27 with 53 seconds remaining. The Bulldogs failed to respond, handing Bullitt East their first state title in school history.
That was a devastating loss for the Bulldogs, but Gainey says that coming up just short will fuel their 2023 campaign.
“Like I’ve told every other team, we make it every year and we get this big head thinking we already won. This year I’m trying to get everyone to play every game like that Ballard game,” the senior leader said. “Like I said, we get so caught up into making it to state we forget we actually got to go win it. So, just practicing good habits and trying to keep everybody 100% healthy.”
Heading into his final season at Louisville Male, Gainey’s confidence couldn’t be any higher. Expect a show on turf anytime he laces up his cleats.
“If you’ve never seen me play before and you come out to a game this year, you will see everything you hear,” a confident Gainey said. “I’m a fast and explosive player so something big is always going to happen when I have the ball in my hands. I feel like what really makes my game stand out is my one-on-one game. If it’s me and one other person lined up alone, I don’t think anyone can stop me.”
Male opens their season on August 18th, hosting Butler at Maxwell Field.
Discuss This Article
Comments have moved.
Join the conversation and talk about this article and all things Kentucky Sports in the new KSR Message Board.
KSBoard