Breckin Rex To Continue Football And Academic Career At Juniata

(All photos contributed or by CSZ – above image: Seated: Breckin Rex flanked by Wildcats Head Coach Dave Eggleton and Assistant Coach Dave Louder. Back Breckin’s parents Dana and Cory Rex.)

Clarion Area High School senior Breckin Rex, who played for the Clarion Area Bobcats as a sophomore and for the Central Clarion Wildcats as a junior and senior, has officially signed to continue his football and academic career at Juniata College, in Huntingdon.

The Eagles, under the direction of head coach Joe Carter and his staff, are an NCAA Division III program playing in the Centennial Conference.

Coach Carter shared several things he likes about Breckin’s play. “Breckin is a tremendous athlete that plays the game the right way. He is fast, plays physical and has a toughness that we pride ourselves on here at Juniata.”

He sees the benefits of Breckin having big-time family support. “I love the way the family has bought into the process for Breckin. They were looking for the best fit for him and believe they have found it here with Juniata. It’s great to see a family that supports their child in his efforts to be a tremendous member of the community and the program that he commits to.”

Where does coach Carter see Breckin playing? “And Breckin’s natural instinct is to be on the offensive side of the ball so that’s where he will play at Juniata but talking to him and his family, we know that he is open to doing whatever will help the team be most successful during his time here.”

Coach Carter closed by saying, “We are excited to get an athlete of his caliber and can’t wait to see him put on the blue and gold and #SoarAbove here at Juniata. Welcome to the Tower Breckin.”

Breckin had a very solid scholastic gridiron career. he rushed for 1,397 yards on 206 carries, including 709 yards on 128 carries this past season. He totaled 124 receiving yards on his career.

What impressed Breckin about Juniata’s football program? “The atmosphere is like being at home. What I liked most is that the returning players from the football team introduced themselves and started conversations, without the coaches anywhere nearby. So it already made it feel like a family. . . The coaches make me feel like I’m still at home. We are the only team that uses the field that we play on, so we can be on it whenever we want. The returning players came and talked to me while I was on my visit saying I could come down and stay with them whenever I wanted. ”

Breckin was also impressed with the Juniata campus. “I loved the layout of the school and how their unique study areas look over the campus.”     

As for his major and future plans, Breckin said, “My major will be a combination of environmental engineering, accounting, and criminal justice. (I want to) graduate college with a good paying job.”          

Breckin shared his thanks for various individuals who have helped him on this journey. “Special thank you to Coach Wiser for pushing me for the three years I had him as a coach. It’s not very often that a kid gets to play under the same coach as their dad. You believed in me and pushed me to be the best I can be. Thank you, Coach Eggleton for taking over when Coach Wiser retired and continuing the process. He as well pushed me to my best. Thank you to Coach Louder for always knowing my true potential. He always knew that if there was something wrong on the field and how to fix it, to make me and the team better.     

“Thank you to Coach Weber for being a great coach and always believing in me. For keeping me in shape during the off season so I could show my true potential.      

“Thank you to Eain Brooks. He has helped me in more ways than one. He helped me with running and knowing how to run at full speed helping me to turn the corner faster and break touchdowns. He helped me with strength and conditioning as well helping me to get to my goal of being a part of the 1,000lb club.     

“Thank you, Pastor Harry and Maura, for being my biggest supporters, both religiously, and in the stands, coming to support me on Friday nights and congratulating me after our wins. They have helped me live my life through Christ.

Thank you to my parents, for always getting me to practices before I could drive and getting me started with Eain. They have always pushed me to be the best and have believed in me and have known my true potential from the beginning. 

Central Clarion Head Coach Dave Eggleton shared, I want to wish Breckin the best of luck at Juniata. He has worked very hard the past 2 years to get where he is today. The play that I will always remember is from Breckin’s junior year when he broke a draw play for the go ahead touchdown against Karns City in the comeback win. He has elite speed and that will help him immensely at the next level. 

Retired Clarion Area and Central Clarion Head Coach Larry Wiser stated, “Breckin Rex was one of the hardest working athletes I have ever coached. He had a great high school career, but I think he has even better football days to come.        Juniata College is getting a very good football player, and more important a great young man.       

“I wish Breckin great success, and I hope to see (former Bobcat and Wildcat quarterback) Calvin German and Breckin play together,”

Personal Trainer Eain Brooks, had this to say, “Breckin and I have been training together for 2 years… not only is he hard working and strong, but he is extraordinarily smart. He takes instruction well…his intelligence, work ethic, and toughness will get him far and I can’t wait to see all that he accomplishes in the future.”

Assistant Coach Dave Louder had this to say,” Breckin Rex is a hardworking player and student leader in the community and Football field.  I have had the honor of coaching Breckin for three years in the Clarion Area Bobcats/C-L initial merger Season and then, the official Central Clarion Wildcats Football Program. 

“Breckin and his Family are continuously working hard, behind the scenes, to set up for Thursday night meals with the football parents, lay wreaths annually at the local cemeteries for our fallen vets, as well as, many other events and fund raisers throughout the local community, yearly.    

“Breckin has had many highlights on the football field – as a sophomore on the final play, in the final game of the season against James Buchanan, Breckin made a goal line interception to seal the Varsity’s shutout victory.  During his junior season, he broke a huge touchdown run against Karns City to help propel the Wildcats 28 point, 4th quarter comeback.

“This year, my favorite plays by Breckin were the back-to-back pick 6 returns against Kane and then, Ridgway that kept our team going and help earn victories over both teams.     

“Breckin grew a lot, as a person, in the past 3 years, he will be a valuable addition to Juniata College and the surrounding community.  Good Luck, #20!”

Clarion Bobcats Head Wrestling Coach Lee Weber: I have known Breckin for most of his lifetime as a coach for multiple sports and now as his head coach in wrestling.  

“Breckin, pound for pound, is one of the strongest and fastest athletes I have ever coached.  He is also a very solid student in the classroom.  His grades are always near the top in his class. 

“He also volunteered his time at church or other youth programs to encourage younger children to join sports.      

“I am happy that Breckin was able to attain his goal of playing college football! Breckin is a dedicated student-athlete and I know that he will be an outstanding addition to Juniata.”

From Pastors Harry and Maura Hoff, “We have been pastoring Breckin for about 2 years now. What an honor it is to watch such an incredible young man like Breckin accomplish what he has in these past couple years.

“Breckin is not only an amazing athlete but a compassionate, loyal, selfless, driven, hardworking young man. His heart for the game and people always shines through. He is a determined young man and Juniata is so lucky to have him.

“We can’t wait to see all the things he will accomplish on the field and in his academics at Juniata College! Congratulations Breckin!”

Breckin’s employer, Shippenville Country Store Manager James Gilara had some great words about and for Breckin. “In regard to Breckin Rex, associate at Country Fair store 36.

“Breckin started with Country Fair in March of 2021. Breckin was a junior at Clarion Area High School when he started at the store. A business such as Country Fair often has the honor of allowing a young person an introduction into the workplace environment and an opportunity to learn valuable and practical skills that will undoubtably become a part of their outlook towards accomplishment of set goals and hopes.

“When Breckin started, it did not take long to become apparent that he had maturity and determination advanced beyond the short amount of time he had spent in a working environment. Breckin became an asset to the store throughout the summer as his availability widened.

“When Breckin returned to school for his senior year it was quite impressive to watch him devote equal and attentive time, energy and focus to his schooling, sports and commitment to Country Fair. His ability to succeed in all three of these areas is a glimpse into the bright future that lays ahead for a young man who can easily succeed in any field that he chooses to dedicate his attention towards.

 “As Breckin moves forward and faces the challenges of life, it is hoped that he will look back fondly on the time he spent on the team of Country Fair as the creation of a foundation of perseverance and satisfaction that comes from reaching the goal that is viewed by all as pride in the completion of a job well done.”

And finally, a word from Breckin’s proud parents Cory and Dana Rex. “As Breckin’s parents, we are extremely proud of the young man he has become and the strides he makes daily to become a great man. His work ethic has always been a very strong attribute in whatever he has done. He displayed this significantly during the start of Covid, when restrictions were being put in place, and he chose to utilize his time by spending it working out. He showed it again between his junior and senior year by continuing to build on what he had accomplished and seeing that he has the potential to be a leader.

“He has worked hard at balancing school, athletics and a job and we hope this has prepared him to be successful in all that he does. We are extremely excited to see what the future holds for Breckin but ultimately know that he will do great things at Juniata.      

“We have emphasized the importance of education, but also wanted to have him involved in sports, so he could understand what it meant to be a part of and committed to a team.

“From a young age, he always had a ball of some sort in his hand and has said for a long time, that he wanted to go to school for engineering. He has had to work hard at both and he has had a number of key people in his life that have guided him along the way.

“Special thanks to all of our family, Coach Wiser, Coach Eggleton, Coach Louder, Coach Weber and Eain Brooks for helping mold him into a strong young man and athlete. Thank you to his teammates who have worked hard alongside him and pushed him when he needed it.       

“Also, to Pastor Harry Hoff and Maura Hoff for being an enormous influence in his life and his walk in faith. Without them and many others, we might not be here today.         

“While we are beyond excited to cheer on the Eagles, we are extremely impressed with Juniata as a whole and we take comfort knowing he is getting a topnotch education and is able to be a part of the football team. From the admissions department, to the coaching staff, to the football players and the campus itself, the school feels incredibly family oriented which coincides with the environment in which Breckin thrives. They have shown unexpected thoughtfulness in making him feel important in this journey, from the very beginning in talking to him about playing football to presenting him with his acceptance letter the day of his visit.

“To the coaches at Juniata thank you for believing in Breckin and giving him an opportunity to continue to play the sport he loves! We believe you’re getting a game changer!! GO EAGLES!!!        

“And finally, we would like to thank Clarion Area School District for being successful in providing a level of normalcy over the past couple years so that Breckin could have an enjoyable and memorable Senior year. It means more than you know!!”

(Congratulations to Breckin and the Rex family, the Juniata College Eagles, the Bobcats and Wildcats and the entire Clarion Community!!!!! We’re Clarion Proud!!!!)