Max Gross is the consummate teammate.

Only he wouldn’t tell you that.

When I asked him what his job was as center defensive back on the Warren boys soccer team, he basically said it was to not let his teammates down.

This, from a high school senior who has lived in four different states, but seems to make great friends everywhere he goes.

You can see why.

“He attracts a group of boys as friends in each state that we live in, and it seems like he picks the sweetest people and they become like family,” said his mother, Kathryn.

“When we moved here from Arkansas, this soccer program was a step up in quality, in my opinion, from what we had experienced,” she said. “These boys all kind of bonded and accepted him and challenged him, and he loves a good challenge.”

Gross has never worried about being the goal-scorer, or even being the best defender, but he does care about his teammates and being a member of this team.

“He has a big personality and can come across as if it’s about him, but his heart is about his teammates,” said Kathryn.

That closeness resembles the closeness he has with his three siblings, who all lived in a hotel room in Chicago, Ill., for a couple months before moving here.

‘Like family.”

A little “Q & A” with Max Gross:

Q: Who are your parents, siblings, what sports do you play?

A: My parents are Kathryn and Clay Gross, and my siblings are Solomon, Elliot, and Annabelle Gross. I play soccer, basketball and tennis.

Q: What other sports have you tried, and what is the draw that brought you to soccer? Describe what specific situation or play makes you love it the most.

A: I have played baseball, track and football in the past. What brought me to soccer was the friends I have made from playing it.

My assist to Quinn Boger to give us the go ahead goal against Wilmington last year in the semifinals to secure us a spot in both the D10 championship and state playoffs is a particular play.

Q: As for soccer, what position do you play and what is it about that position you like best? What makes you good at it?

A: I play center back which is a defensive spot – I love it the most because my keeper (Clark Eason) and team expect me to play my best and make sure no shots or goals happen to us. I would say my height advantage and speed are what make me good at it.

Q: Tell me a little about this team? How have you grown as a player and as a team over four years?

A: Having eight starting seniors, we have all grown together and play tremendous with each other. With that being said, I am confident that this year’s team can win the District 10 title and it’s all of our goals, too. My skills have come a long way, and I can thank my coaches and past seniors for that.

Q: When was it you first felt this was a game you loved and why? Your brother is big into football… Why didn’t you go that rout?

A: I have played soccer from such a young age – it has always been apart of my life. From my dad being my first coach to playing with my brothers, I have a lot of memorable moments. Soccer is a very strategic game and for those who have never played don’t really know how hard it can be at times. It’s also a game you can not master, there’s always room for improvement.

Solomon is quite the football I would say and I am very proud of him. In Arkansas I was able to play both football and soccer in different seasons. When I moved to Warren, I had to make a choice and at the time I went with what most of my friends played which was soccer. But man, every Friday night I miss football, I’d love to be playing right by my brother but I guess God has other plans.

Q: What do you like to do outside of sports… Hobbies… Interests?

A: My hobbies outside of sports are hanging with friends, hunting, mission trips and gaming.

Q: What are your goals for after high school? College? Major? Profession?

A: I plan on attending college, where at and what for, I am undecided

Q: Who is your inspiration and why?

A: My inspirations are my grandpas; I hope to be half the men they are someday.

Q: What is something not many people know about you you’d be willing to share.

A: Something some people may not know about me is that I have lived in four different states.

One thing I would want people to know about me is that I am a devout Christian and I try to live my life to the fullest bringing God the glory in everything I do; some days it hard, others easy, but I have complete faith in Him and what He’s doing with my life.