- November 22, 2024
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Breaza Robinson, pictured here in an FPC game, has become a flag football standout in college. File photo
Breaza Robinson
by: Barbara Boxleitner
In her first year of college competition, Breaza Robinson was a part of history.
The Flagler Palm Coast High School graduate emerged as a standout for Webber International University's inaugural women's flag football program, and she was named a linebacker on the all-Sun Conference defense.
The sophomore linebacker and wide receiver said she received a plaque with her name on it for the conference honor recognizing her 66.5 tackles, team-high six interceptions, team-high eight pass breakups and two sacks.
"There's a lot of talent in the NAIA," said Robinson, who led the team with 43 receptions and had 422 receiving yards and three touchdown catches. "It was kind of unexpected."
This season she hasn't lost a bit on either side of the ball as the competition has grown stiffer.
"Everybody has gained more than what they had," she said. "I've got to be better than I was last year."
During the offseason the 5-foot-7 Robinson prepared accordingly to remain a two-way player.
"I ran more to stay in shape and to be able to hold longer. I have to be able to hold my energy," she said.
Her staying power has sustained.
Jeffrey Melesky, Webber's head flag football coach, said the defense usually uses two linebackers, and she is one of them.
"They are pretty much the center points and focus of our defense. They run the defense," he said. "She has a huge football IQ."
Through nine games (5-4) this season, Robinson made 56 tackles and had three interceptions and one fumble recovery. She had season highs of 12 tackles and two interceptions against St. Thomas, leading players from both teams in each.
She said reading the quarterback's eyes last year helped her recognize the opponent's offensive plays. This year quarterbacks been able to disguise their intentions.
"Quarterbacks now are being able to look you off," she said. "You've got to be careful. They just pull you away from where they're going."
The coach cited her preparation for games. "She watches a lot of film," he said. "She's able to recognize plays."
Her makeup works to her favor as well. "Her tenacity and her aggressiveness," Melesky said. "She does have the instincts to attack."
Robinson is one of the team's inside receivers. She had 30 receptions, including five touchdowns, for 352 yards in the nine games.
"She's got good hands. She's got great routes," the coach said. "She works to get open."
In a 42-12 win over Milligan, she led players from both teams with four receptions for her season highs of 90 yards and two scores. She is shifty enough to elude defenders, according to the coach.
"I make a couple people miss," she said. "Once you're going through two people, when you don't hear a whistle, you have to kick in another gear."
