Owasso Standout Makes an Impact on Both Sides of the Ball; Seeks Third State Title

By Mike Moguin
GTR Sports Writer

Emaud Triplet scored one of the touchdowns that helped Owasso win the Class 6AI state championship last year. Now he is regarded as one of the top high school running backs in Oklahoma.
The Rams’ running back/linebacker has already committed to Army and he believes the Rams can repeat as state champions, which would give them their third gold ball in four seasons.
Triplet (5’11’, 210 pounds, senior), is listed among the top 100 players in the state by VYPE Oklahoma in its annual pigskin preview.
The publication describes Triplett as a strong and elusive running back. Patience is another virtue he believes he has.
The TD Triplett scored in last year’s 6AI final came from two yards out with 2:59 left in the third period, extending the Rams’ lead from one point to eight. It ended up as an insurance TD since no more points were scored.
“That was the first time I had scored all year,” Triplett said. “I was excited about that. It meant a lot.”
When the last second ticked off, Triplett was crying, he said. “I can’t even put into words how excited I was. That was the best moment for me in all of high school.”
Triplett played for the freshman team in 2017 when the Rams won their first title in the Bill Blankenship era. Having a starting role made last year’s title more special.
“This one (title) meant everything to me,” he said.
On defense, Triplett had five tackles, four solo, two for losses of five yards and one sack.
He has played football since first grade, playing both sides of the line when he was younger. He began playing in the backfield in seventh grade. Triplett has also played basketball and run track in the past. He plans on running track again next spring.
Growing up, his favorite running back was Adrian Peterson. “He ran like he was angry,” Triplett said. “And that’s who I’ve tried to pattern my game after.”
What does Triplett like most about the gridiron?
“I like hitting. I also like the contact,” he said. “My favorite aspect of the game is defense, I like it better than playing offense.”
Triplett committed to the Army in the spring.
“I chose Army because (linebackers) coach (Sheil) Wood contacted my mom and they made us feel like family,” Triplett said. “They told me they would pay for medical school after football. I feel like that was the cherry on top of it all. My mom had a big impact in my decision to go to that school, too.”
North Texas, Western Illinois, Abilene Christian, Lindenwood, UCO and Eastern Michigan were the schools Triplett chose the Black Knights over.
One challenge the Rams have to contend with is the adjustments to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It was tough,” Triplett said. “I knew the first day (of practice) was the toughest. Once we kind of got the feel of how things were going to be with this COVID stuff going on, it was easier to adjust to it and keep going. That first day was really hard, but the second and third day was really good.”
The Rams have been practicing with cloth fabric masks attached in the facemasks of their helmets.
By season’s end, Owasso is expecting to be holding up another trophy.
“We think we have more than a good chance to not only defend our title, but we have a great chance to win it again,” Triplett said.
He believes that the Rams themselves are their toughest foe. “The only people who can beat us are ourselves. I don’t see anyone beating us as long as we’re 100 percent.”
Owasso opened the season Aug. 28 at home against Edmond Santa Fe. This month, it plays road games against Fayetteville, Ark. (Sept. 4) and Broken Arrow (Sept. 11). After a week off, the Rams open District 6AI-2 action at home against Union.