Breeana Higa is a passionate and fearless athlete making waves in the world of flag football and 7-on-7. Hailing from Hawaii, she brings heart, hustle, and purpose to every snap she plays. As a key player for Rooted Football Hawai’i, Breeana lines up at linebacker, center, and occasionally wide receiver—proving her versatility and toughness on both sides of the ball. What started as a simple desire to try something new quickly became a calling. Now, Breeana is determined to represent her island with pride, break barriers for Hawaii girls in the sport, and chase her dream of one day making it to the Olympic stage.

What inspired you to start playing football, and how did you get involved with 7-on-7 or Flag Football?
I started off as a cheerleader and baseball player, but I wanted to try something new. So, I joined a boys’ pylon and tackle team. As time went on, I got invited to an all-girls flag football team, and that’s when everything started to fall into place.

How has playing in the Elite 7-on-7 or Flag Football program helped shape your identity as a player?
It taught me discipline and to never settle for just “good.” It pushed me to always want more for myself.

How do you prepare mentally for big tournaments?
I pray with my team, listen to music, and take some time to just reflect and think to myself.

What’s your pregame routine or hype music?
I usually listen to Rod Wave or “Trust in God” by Chris Brown and Isaiah Templeton. Those songs help me get locked in.

What’s your mindset when you step onto the field?
My mindset is to do better for my team, be better for myself, and win. I don’t ever want the win to come easy for the other team, even if they get it.

How do you stay motivated during the off-season and intense training periods?
I think about how much harder it is for us island kids to get noticed. If I sit around and do nothing, then nothing changes.

Who is your biggest influence on or off the field and why?
My biggest influence is myself. When we win, everyone’s quick to congratulate me. But when we lose, it’s usually just us with ourselves. That keeps me accountable.

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned through this program?
You just got to ball—regardless. No excuses.

How do the coaches and mentors in this program impact your development?
They teach me discipline, the importance of hard work, and that nothing worth having comes easy.

What does it mean to you to represent your team in Elite 7-on-7 or Flag Football tournaments?
It means a lot. Hawai’i girls don’t get to experience these opportunities often because traveling is expensive. So when we do get to play, we make sure we don’t waste it. We ball out for the name on the front, so people remember the name on the back.

How do you bounce back after a tough loss or mistake?
Depending on how big the loss is, I take a little time to reflect. We haven’t lost too much, but every game teaches us something—win or lose.

What motivates you to keep grinding during the off-season?
God and my family. They’re the reason I keep pushing.

What’s your dream school or team you’d love to play for one day?
I would love to play for Ottawa University.

What do you do for fun when you’re not playing football?
I like to watch kids and help coach the little ones on my old team. Giving back is fun for me.

How have your coaches and parents helped you grow as a player and person?
They’ve taught me to ignore the negativity and to work on being better during my own time, so I’m ready when the lights are on and people are watching.

How do you handle pressure or adversity during high-stakes games?
I use it to fuel me. Pressure makes me angry in a good way—it brings out my aggressive side on the field.

What’s your favorite route to run and why?
A post or an out route—because they’re usually always open, and I love making plays.

What are your short-term and long-term football goals?
In the short term, I want to keep improving and compete at the highest level possible. Long term, I hope to make the Olympic team and put Hawai’i girls on the map.

How do you build chemistry and trust with your teammates in such a fast-paced format?
We bond on and off the field. It comes naturally because we treat each other like sisters.

What advice would you give to younger players who want to join a program like this?
Just put yourself out there. Don’t be afraid. Keep working and trust that your time will come. You’ll be great if you stay true to the grind.

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