This has been a school year that Max Brunette will never forget.
Max was awarded the Superintendent’s Most Outstanding Senior Award for the Class of 2026 last December. The award is the most prestigious the school gives out and is based on a student’s academic excellence, achievements in their vocational programs, leadership, character and other qualities.
Besides his prowess in the classroom and in his Electrical vocational program, Max was also a standout on the football field last fall. As a running back, he rushed for over 1,000 yards during his first season at that position.
That Max was able to rush for that much yardage in his first, and only season, as running back is an impressive achievement. He played football all four years but couldn’t crack a position in the backfield because Josiah Little was a historically accomplished running back for the Eagles. Josiah rushed for over 1,000 yards all four years he played running back, setting new records at the school.
When Josiah graduated last spring, Max was poised to take the handoff and carry on the outstanding legacy of FCTS running backs.
“Since before the season I knew I wanted to rush for 1,000 yards and I was determined to make it happen,” Max said. “I never played football before high school. My parents said I was too small and I’d get hurt, but they let me play when I got to high school. I didn’t know how to put the pads on or anything, but I knew how to run.”
Varsity Football Coach Joe Gamache credited Max for being “a tremendous leader that displays the ultimate work ethic and leads by example.” He said Max takes charge and encourages everyone else to stay involved and engaged.
According to Coach Gamache, Max is a shifty and explosive running back who has great field vision, “and is absolutely fearless. He doesn't shy away from contact or competition in any way.” He said Max would have been the primary running back at any other school in the area if he weren’t playing behind Josiah.
“It would have been easy for Max to get upset or disappointed prior to his senior year, but he embraced his role and made the most of every second he got on the field waiting for his opportunity to be the featured threat,” Coach Gamache said. “That is extremely uncommon in today's society but also helped to lead to his own personal growth and development.”
Max’s game against Ralph C. Mahar Regional School where he rushed for 250 yards and scored six touchdowns stands as his most impressive achievement. He also reached the 1,000-yard mark during that game.
“The Mahar game was pretty fun,” Max said.
Football is one of the most team-oriented sports where all of the players on the field need to be in synch for a play to succeed. Max is grateful and gives thanks to his teammates for his success last season.
“I knew I could trust everyone to make a block and I could follow them,” he said.
Football is his first love, but Max has also been on the baseball, basketball, wrestling and track teams.
Coach Gamache is a strong believer that individual accolades are always accomplished through a team effort. That philosophy is preached within the Eagle’s team culture and he said it’s an honor to hear young athletes embrace that.
“This is a life skill,” Coach Gamache said. “Never is one individual greater than the whole. Individual accolades within our team culture are set as team goals and when one individual reaches a milestone it is because the group is committed to making that happen. Max is and always has been the ultimate teammate which will help him to succeed in life. It’s an honor to have coached him and others like him over the years. He will ultimately achieve great things as he is quick to recognize the important people to his success, his teammates, his friends, and his family.”