John Adams High School wide receiver Shane Hubbard comes down with the ball and runs past the defense for the score. The senior, who helped the Spartans to the playoffs in the Championship Division for the first time in over a decade, reached the end zone more than once for the Spartans. Now, Hubbard hopes to reach the end zone for the C.W. Post Pioneers, as he has received a full scholarship to play football for the Long Island University team.
Reaching the playoffs was a big accomplishment for not only Hubbard, but the team as well.
“I was happy that I was able to play a part in helping us get back into the playoffs in the Championship Division,” said Hubbard. “I believe if we did not lose our starting backfield in Antoine [Arnold] and Devven [Baker] we would’ve earned a better seed and been a harder out in the playoffs.”
Hubbard, who had interest from Penn State University, Rutgers University, Stony Brook University and American International, chose C.W. Post because he just fell in love with the school. Hubbard will join Public School Athletic League (PSAL) standout running back Kareem Folks at Post.
“[I chose C.W. Post] because they really wanted me and I like the coaching staff and atmosphere of the school,” said Hubbard.
Hubbard looked like a sure bet to go to Penn State University, but he fell out of touch with coaches with the controversy surrounding the football program and the late Joe Paterno. Nonetheless, Hubbard will be a great addition to the Pioneers.
The John Adams graduate started playing football at early age and fell in love with the sport. The talented wide receiver didn’t play organized ball until joining the Spartans as a junior, but assistant coach Larry Jones remembers being amazed the first time he saw Hubbard on the field.
“The first time I saw Shane Hubbard I was amazed how smoothly he did everything,” said Jones. “From catching the ball to running routes, I knew he was going to help us instantly. He filled the void of losing Akeeme Chavis and gave our quarterback Danny Perez a target for the next two years.”
In Hubbard’s two years with the Spartans, he caught 69 passes for 1,027 yards receiving. The jack-of-all-trades player also ran the ball for a total of 543 yards on 45 attempts. When asked for a scouting report on Hubbard, Jones compared him to NFL wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, among others.
“Shane plays football like Larry Fitzgerald, Brandon Marshall and Charles Johnson play football,” said Jones. “He has great hands, great feet and he can run past you or over you. He has a 4.4 40 yard dash, benches over 300 and has a 32” vertical. He is a very great talent.”
Hubbard was one of the best players in the PSAL this past season, leading the league in receiving catches and in kick return average. As a reward, the Spartan received two plaques at halftime during the championship game on the field at Yankee Stadium
When asked how it felt to stand on the historic field, Hubbard said “It felt like all my hard work paid off.”
Hubbard joins many Spartans players who have gone on to play college football. Most notably, Mike Fladell, who played his college ball at Rutgers University and made it as far as the New York Giants’ practice team. In addition, Akeeme Chavis and Brandon Wilson are both playing college ball – but his coach believes Hubbard has the potential to be the best yet.
“Shane is probably our most polished player,” said Jones. “We’ve been blessed over the last few years with players like Akeeme Chavis, Brandon Wilson who are both at Hudson Valley Community College; Sammy Hill, who ran track at Penn State; and Mike Fladell, who went to Rutgers and made it to the Giants. Shane has the potential to be special. Luckily, for us he will be close at C.W. Post so we can catch a few games next season.”
