Fort Bragg's Lucas Triplett is All-Empire Small School Football Player of the Year

Lucas Triplett, the All-Empire player of the year in small school football, is multifaceted at multiple positions and was such a force on offense and defense in the NCL I that opposing coaches surely won’t miss him next season.

“Triplett is athletic, he has speed, agility, intelligence - he’s got all the tools,” Middletown coach Bill Foltmer said. “He is a great kid and I’m glad he is graduating. We have had our fill of Triplett.”

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Triplett terrorized the NCL I at quarterback - passing for 2,652 yards (180-for-311 on attempts for a 58 percent completion mark) and 25 touchdowns. He also had 141 carries for 1,104 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. In addition, he had four catches for 66 yards and three scores at receiver and three interceptions as the Timberwolves’ lockdown cornerback.

“Lucas is as good as they get. He is competitive, proud and tough. He is a playmaker,” Fort Bragg coach Roy Perkins said. “It was pretty amazing to see how well Lucas adjusted (from receiver in 2015 to quarterback in 2016). He is a phenomenal athlete.”

The team captain, Triplett - who was the All-Empire small school defensive player of the year in 2015 - led Fort Bragg to an 8-0 NCL I record in 2016 and another league title. Fort Bragg was 21-1 in the NCL I in the three years that Triplett played varsity.

“Lucas had a remarkable effect on the success of our program,” Perkins said. “He was the best player on the field on offense and defense.”

Triplett, who stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 195 pounds, said he hopes to play in college, likely for a Division II or III school, as a safety or outside receiver. He is hoping for an athletic scholarship and is currently in contact with the football programs at Humboldt State, Monmouth (Illinois), San Diego and SRJC.

“I’m going to miss the supportive people in town. I’m happy to have grown up in Fort Bragg, but I’m ready to go and get my degree and start my career,” said Triplett, who has a 3.8 high school GPA and is interested in kinesiology. “The last four years playing football at Fort Bragg have been an honor. It’s been a great learning experience.”

The one achievement that Triplett never corralled was winning an NCS title (both Division 4 and 5). Fort Bragg came up one game short several times.

“It was pretty tough three years in a row going out with a loss. It was heartbreaking,” Triplett said of the NCS defeats.

Even without the NCS crown, there are plenty of individual achievements Triplett can fall back on. He was named a California first-string all-purpose player by Cal-Hi Sports and third-team all-purpose player in the state by MaxPreps.com. He was the unanimous choice by coaches for the NCL I player of the year.

Triplett doesn’t talk much about his accomplishments when asked - instead he mentions the team goals and outcomes.

“He is very humble. Lucas isn’t the type to talk about himself a lot,” Perkins said. “He is a team guy; he is all about winning.”

Triplett, who has good speed, said his technique, timing and athletic ability are his top physical attributes on the field.

He said he wants to work on getting stronger in the weight room and getting quicker and more explosive when he plays college ball.

“Triplett is one of the top quarterbacks I’ve ever coached against. He is so athletic. As a quarterback he had the added threat that he not only was a great passer, but he could also scrabble and make yards rushing,” Foltmer said. “He is a proven winner, he has two league championships and played multiple positions. He would be a fine addition to any (college) team. Schools would love to have a kid that can play multiple positions.”

Perkins said Triplett could likely play the quarterback, receiver or cornerback position in college if he desired.

“Lucas might be the best football player that has come out of Fort Bragg in 40 years,” Perkins said. “In a couple of years he could be a Division I college player.”

Both Perkins and Foltmer lauded Triplett’s toughness.

“He is one tough kid,” Perkins said. “I don’t see him ever physically backing down. He’s just a competitor.”

There will be a large abyss on the Timberwolves team next season, as a player with Triplett’s ability at multiple positions is a rarity.

“You don’t replace a kid like Triplett. It’s an incredible thing to coach these types of kids and athletes. It’s been a remarkable experience coaching Lucas,” Perkins said. “I will keep in touch with Lucas; he is a special kid. He is going to leave a big hole in my heart; it is bittersweet.”

For his part, Triplett called Perkins “like a father.” The connection between the player and coach go way back. Perkins coached two of Triplett’s uncles and three of his cousins at Fort Bragg. Perkins played with Triplett’s grandfather.

“Perkins is a great mentor and he knows the game,” Triplett said. “He’s right there to lend a hand at any given time.”

While his future in football looks bright, there will be a time when Triplett’s playing days are over and when asked about that, he was philosophical.

“At some point you have to hang up the cleats,” Triplett said. “When that happens I will be ready to accept it, but until then I’m going to give it my all.”