LUMBERTON — Leading into high school football practice starting on July 30, The Robesonian’s sports staff is publishing a countdown of the top 15 players in Robeson County, and Lumberton’s Kwashek Breeden comes in at No. 4 on the list.

After a coming out party last season as the main pass catcher for Lumberton quarterback Braylan Grice, Breeden takes on his final high school season hoping to continue the connection from last year. As a junior, Breeden hauled in 942 yards on 44 receptions and eight touchdowns.

Breeden also had six 100-yard receiving games, and the duo returns hoping to make up for a 2-9 record last season with a new coaching staff this time around.

“I’m looking for hopefully the playoffs for us and to get the team better,” Breeden said. “I want to get better and do better for my team.”

At 6-foot-5, Breeden gives Grice a big target to throw to and has a burst of speed that made him a deep ball threat last season. He averaged 21.4 yards per reception in 2017. But just as he is a big target for his quarterback, Breeden also will be a focal point for opposing secondaries.

“If they are going to be focused on me, I want to make the team better,” Breeden said. “If they focus on me, that’s going to give other players on the team their moment.”

Breeden said that the relationship between him and Grice is the same it has always been, and that, “we’re still going to do what we do.”

Entering his senior season Breeden has seen the results of his action carry through the team and has learned what leading by example means.

“I’m a senior so all the underclassmen look up to me,” Breeden said. “What they see me do, they are going to do. I’ve got to set a good example for them.”

And as far as the coaching changes goes, Breeden, like the rest of the team, is still acclimating to the adjustments that come with a new regime.

“I’ve been trying to get used to them, used to the new plays and everything,” Breeden said.

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https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_file-4-5-_ne2018725115619682.jpegBreeden

By Jonathan Bym

Sports editor

Jonathan Bym can be reached at 910-816-1977 or by email at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @Jonathan_Bym.