Durant senior Maximus “Max” Airington is a big guy (6-2, 285) with a big heart and a big job to do this year for the Lions football team where he plays primarily in the offensive line. “Max is a three-year starter for us and played some as a freshman,” said his coach Todd Vargas. He’s played multiple positions on the line and is a solid, dependable performer on the field and a gentleman and great kid off. He and Grant Bull are our two most experienced linemen and we’re depending on them to lead an offensive line that features two first-time starters and some younger kids.” Max got his start in football through his dad who he cites as his biggest role model. “My dad was good at football but never gave it his all and he’s really drummed into me to do your best because you’ve only got this time in your life to enjoy it.” In addition to football, Max also plays golf thanks to his grandpa. “My grandpa is a big golfer, and I started playing with him and loved it and joined the school golf team last year. When I started, I was shooting in the high 90s, but I got better and ended up shooting an 82 at regionals.” Another of Max’s passions and the reason for his big heart is his work with the Owen Foundation which works with autistic and physically challenged kids. “Three years ago, a friend got me into it and I went to a gathering of these kids playing basketball and they all had helpers, and I worked with a kid named Kenden. They thought initially he wouldn’t live past a year, but I met him when he was four and he comes back to the camp every year from Coweta and now he’s seven and doing great. We have a special bond and when we play a game at Coweta, he comes to watch me play.” Max says he’s looking forward to games against Booker T. Washington and McAlester this year and would like to play in college next year should he get the chance.
