Neighborhood pickup games introduced A.J. Mainer to playing football.
The Midland Valley High School senior wide receiver started playing organized games in middle school, and he’s enjoyed the sport ever since.
“I love competing,” he said.
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Running down the field and making the big play catch always brings a lot of adrenaline with it, and that’s a game-related thrill he relishes. This year, he’s had a couple of big plays, said Brent Dorn, the Mustangs’ wide receiver coach.
“A.J. always goes hard on the practice field, during the game,” he said “He’s a solid player.”
Mainer is back after an injury last year, but the season hasn’t been kind to the Mustangs so far. The team is 0-5 with a couple of heavy-handed losses against Silver Bluff 43-0 Sept. 17 and versus Saluda 52-19 Sept. 10.
Dorn said the team is a young one with only six seniors on the squad. Also, the team has transitioned its offense from a Wing-T offense to a spread. Having Mainer on the field is important for the Mustangs.
“A.J. always goes hard on the practice field, during the game. He’s like another coach. He’s an extension of the coaching staff,” Dorn said.
Not only does Mainer play football, but he plays basketball and runs track as well.
He’s hopeful that his athleticism will help him land a scholarship.
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The favorite collegiate team in the Mainer household is Florida State University, where his father got his degree. Mainer said it was hard for his dad to see him in Midland Valley’s blue and orange at first, since those are the same colors as the University of Florida.
“He wasn’t too happy,” he said.
Mainer said he hopes to study electrical engineering.
Midland Valley’s next football game is Oct. 1 at Airport.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com.
