ATH Eric Triplett, Jr., Pinellas Park

After a limited role on varsity the past two seasons, Eric Triplett had a more prominent one this year thanks to his versatility. 

Running? Receiving?

Triplett did it all. 

He had 290 yards rushing and 114 receiving this season. And scored five touchdowns (four rushing, one receiving). 

Those numbers helped Triplett become a vital component for the Patriots, who went 9-2 and lost to Hillsborough in last week’s Class 6A region quarterfinals. 

Two weeks ago, Triplett accounted for 113 yards (67 rushing, 46 receiving) and two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving) in a win over Bradenton Bayshore in the regular season finale. 

Fans took notice. Triplett received 54 percent of the votes (1,728) in the Pinellas County football player of the week poll to beat out East Lake’s Kai Huggins, who had 27 percent (855 votes).