This is the seventh year a Hurricane football player has been honored with wearing Cory Hubbard’s #12. Senior captain Noah Hebberd, a lineman for the Hurricanes, was chosen to wear the number late this summer.
The number 12 is not only just a number for the Canes, it’s an accomplishment. This number is given to a member of the varsity football team to honor a former player, Cory Hubbard, who passed away in 2014. Cory was All-County in football, wrestling, and lacrosse. In his senior year at University of Maryland he was fatally hit by a drunk driver. Cory was a player who gave it his all with maximum effort and was a strong leader for Canes.
In a recent interview with Noah, we found out what receiving the #12 means to him.
Q: What does it mean to you to be selected to be #12?
Noah: “It means to be a good person and a team leader. Someone who is picked to wear #12 has to be a good role model for younger football players and students alike.”

Q: What was your reaction when you received the number?
Noah: “I was honored and excited to get to represent Cory Hubbard. I knew that I wanted to wear it proudly, even though I cannot wear it on the field.“

Q: You are still wearing the 77 jersey. Can you explain why?
Noah: “I play offensive lineman. One of the rules for football is that offensive lineman can only wear numbers between 50-79.”
Q: Who has been influential in your football career?
Noah: “All of the players who I have played with before have all left a mark on me. Everyone who I have trained with and put in hard work all throughout the year have made me a better player and a better person.”

Q: You refrained from playing football until 9th grade and now look at you! What have you learned from being a part of WHB football?
Noah: “I learned what it means to be surrounded by a group of kids that will always have your back on and off the field. I’ve learned how to work hard and have a year round commitment to something that is important to me.”

Q: How does it feel knowing this is your last season playing as a Hurricane?
Noah: “It is sad that this is my last year to put on the Hurricane football jersey. But I’ll always be able to look back and be happy that I was able to play, and wear that jersey four years in a row.”

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Noah: “I am excited to watch what the team will do next year after I’m gone. They will be returning a lot of starters, so they should be well rounded in our offensive and defensive schemes and will be fun to watch.”

Overall our school and community take Cory Hubbard’s number honor with pride. Noah fits perfectly for the number 12. He is a great hard worker on and off the field here at Westhampton Beach High School. His high character will show the community. Congrats to a well-deserved honor.