HUMBOLDT — Humboldt High football junior wide receiver Sam Hull capped his season in good form after being named November’s Athlete of the Month.
The Cub made sure to go out on a high note in his final game of the season in a loss to Nemaha Central at home. Hull hauled in three touchdown receptions and 147 receiving yards on only seven catches in the 44-20 loss.
With some key pieces missing next season due to graduation, Hull will step into an even bigger role. The multi-sport athlete hopes to build on his junior campaign which saw him catch seven touchdowns for 564 receiving yards.
Hull carried a leadership role this past season and will do the same again next fall.
“It was fun. Having people look up to you is kind of different,” said Hull. “It makes sure you stay on task and do the right things. I hope my teammates think I’ve been a leader and helped them get around. Just getting used to a higher level of competition takes some getting used to.”
The junior was a part of the reason for Humboldt’s 6-2 finish to the regular season and an 8-3 finish overall after running through Cherryvale and Osage City in the playoffs. Hull’s best regular season game was a 46-0 drubbing over Cherryvale on Oct. 14. The Cub brought in two touchdown receptions for 85 receiving yards on two catches. Efficient is an understatement.
Even though he had a breakout performance in the playoff loss to Nemaha Central, Hull wasn’t thrilled.
“I didn’t necessarily look at it like that. I feel like we could have been doing better but they’re a really tough team,” Hull said. “I don’t think we were playing the greatest. I probably could have gotten a few more tackles and helped more on the defensive side.”
Hull has grown close with his teammates over the past three years and hopes that the family-like environment can help the team continue its success. The Cubs’ team values were clearly evident when the team won the regional championship title.
“Trying to work together and battle through a game to accomplish the end task of a winning season is a different type of family experience,” Hull said. “I’ve been playing with them since I can remember, all the way back to third grade.”
The Humboldt native plays football, basketball and baseball, but Hull claims football as his favorite because.
“I like hitting people,” said Hull. “If you see somebody with the ball, go hit them. And if the ball is in the air, catch it and run.”
