Team captain leads the Eagles with spirit, strong goals

Senior Tyler Breedlove has been playing football since he was eight-years-old. Two out of the six years he’s played football, quarterback has been his position. In his last year of varsity football he has high hopes to have a successful season. Leading the team to a valley championship is his single goal for his last season.

Being in the sport has transitioned his way of thinking inside and outside of football. He believes life lessons can come from a complex sport which teaches discipline.

“My dad got me into the sport at eight, and I thought it would be fun to start something new,” Breedlove said. “I liked the sport but I didn’t love it for a while cause I wasn’t the best and I was small; but once I got bigger It started to grow on me. To always work hard for something and QB is always a competition so I always have to stay focused and play my hardest to be the starter.”

Senior Chris Kollenkark has faith in Breedlove’s skills and believes that he will lead the team to victory on Friday nights.

“I believe Tyler Breedlove will lead the team because he comes to practice everyday and works hard,” Kollenkark said. “I think when Ty is playing good I play better and the whole team feeds of his energy. As a captain he tries to lead by example and steps up when he needs to.”

Head coach Mick Fuller, seeing Breedlove injured standing on the sideline, believes thats what fueled him to end the season in a fashionable manner. Taking a role that very few players get is something that coach has trusted in Breedlove with his human nature leadership and athleticism.

“His athleticism and competitive nature inspired and encouraged his teammates,” Fuller said. “As a junior last year, Tyler was injured in the pre-season scrimmage and spent five games on the sideline. During that time he rarely missed practice and worked to keep his conditioning so that when he was cleared to play he was able to contribute to the team’s success. He was a key player in the championship game, scoring multiple touchdowns as a receiver and keeping the pressure on the opponent’s defense.”

His athleticism and competitive nature inspired and encouraged his teammates. As a junior last year, Tyler was injured in the pre-season scrimmage and spent five games on the sideline. During that time he rarely missed practice and worked to keep his conditioning so that when he was cleared to play he was able to contribute to the team’s success. He was a key player in the championship game, scoring multiple touchdowns as a receiver and keeping the pressure on the opponent’s defense. — Mick Fuller, Head coach

While his journey for varsity football is almost over, Breedlove looks to leave a legacy that will mark FC for the rest of it’s existence. He believes keeping his head on his shoulders and being humble is an obligation in order to be successful this season.

“No, I didn’t think it would come that fast!” Breedlove said. “As a player I plan to lead the team as best as I can and play my hardest as a team play our hardest do our best and win. As a football player I want to be known as a tough smart and striking player. Someone that people look up to and I hope to leave a legacy! As a person I want to leave a positive mark on Fresno Christian. I want to be a man of God and make a difference in the community. My dream is to have a beautiful family a successful business and a good relationship with God.”

While coaching Breedlove for the past three years, Fuller has learned that Tyler can play multiple positions while still leading the team. His intense attitude gives the team life on the field and on the sideline by challenging them to get out of their comfort zone.

“Although his best position is wide receiver, he is willing to do whatever helps the team most,” Fuller said. “As a senior he leads by the example of his competitive drive and intensity. It is not his nature to be a verbal motivator; rather, the other players trust him to give his best effort and he challenges them to do the same.”

Last season breaking his wrist prevented Breedlove from accomplishing his goals. Today he is out to go get what should have been last season. Three years of playing varsity football he is confident to leave a mark on his last year of playing the complex sport.

While learning from his past mistakes, as a captain he is looking foward to leading his team to something that hasn’t been done in the 8-man football era for FC football.

“Playing on one of my youth football teams and the game literally went down to the last play and we won!” Breedlove said. “But losing to Kings Christian 49-2 in last year’s Valley Championship was definitly the worst. I have learned from the past mistakes and I plan on our team coming together this season and accomplishing what is most important to us which is the Valley Championship.”

In his last season, Tyler Breedlove still holds himself to high expectations to succeed past the limit he has put himself at. Looking forward to every opportunity to be great he has on and off the field. Stepping up to the plate is a commitment that he has made and is willing to carry his team to their first 8-man championship.

This writer can be reached via Twitter: @melendez_tim and via email: Tim Melendez.

For more athletics, read Football sport short: Mojave (Podcasts).