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Triplett wins Fulton Walker award

The Inter-Mountain file photo Elkins senior kicker George Triplett has been named the winner of the 2017 Fulton Walker Award.

ELKINS — Elkins High School senior kicker George Triplett received a prestigious statewide award this week, being named the 2017 Fulton Walker Award winner.

The Walker trophy is an annual recognition given to the best special teams player in West Virginia prep football.

Triplett was honored for his punting, kickoffs and field goals. Triplett’s punt, coupled with the Tigers’ coverage downfield, limited EHS opponents to a total of 45 yards in punt returns over 10 game in 2017. Those figures further break down into less than 2 yards per return by the opposition. Triplett earned a 9th place rank nationally for punting efficiency.

After a banner season as a senior for the Tigers, Triplett was humble when thanking several people for their support over the span of his high school varsity career.

“It wasn’t just one person, it wasn’t just me,” Triplett said. “I’d like to thank my holder, the linemen and my teammates. My family has been a great support to me as well. Several people from the community really helped out a lot.

“I’d like to thank Chad Ware and his dad, Larry,” Triplett said. “They kept track of the stats and helped get me exposure. And to all those that made the ‘Kick It’ fundraiser a success, I would really like to thank them.”

Triplett holds nearly every kicking record in Elkins High School history. Triplett’s school records include 21 career field goals; 9 in a season during his senior campaign; longest made from 45 yards out versus Bridgeport on the natural surface at Wimer; 112 out of 118 extra-point attempts made; all-time kicking scorer with 175 points; and most single season PATs made with 56 in 2017.

His only tie is for most field goals made in a game with 3 against North Marion at Wimer Field this past season. Corey Broughton banked 3 between the uprights against Philip Barbour in 2010.

Though initially committing to the United States Naval Academy as a kicking prospect, Triplett recently withdrew and is evaluating several other potential prospects for higher learning opportunities.

“Due to private reasons, I recently withdrew my commitment,” he said. “I am looking at several other schools. My main goal is to get a good education in the field of biology.”

Triplett said he is gearing up for track and field season in the spring at EHS.

After all his success as a Tiger, Triplett was humble when thanking several people for their support over the span of his high school varsity career.

“It wasn’t just one person, it wasn’t just me,” Triplett said. “I’d like to thank my holder, the linemen and my teammates. My family has been a great support to me as well. Several people from the community really helped out a lot.

“I’d like to thank Chad Ware and his dad, Larry,” Triplett said. “They kept track of the stats and helped get me exposure. And to all those that made the ‘Kick It’ fundraiser a success, I would really like to thank them.”

“I would like to thank The Inter-Mountain as well,” Triplett added. “Over the years, the paper has written some good articles about me. I am thankful for that. It hasn’t just been me, so many folks have helped, and I am grateful for everyone’s support.”

The Walker award is named for Fulton Walker, who was a Martinsburg High School standout who went on to play at West Virginia University before making his mark in the National Football League with the Miami Dolphins (1981-85), and the Los Angeles Raiders for a year before retiring.

As a kick returner in the NFL, Walker racked up 5,216 yards and a touchdown on special teams. He played in two Super Bowls. In Super Bowl XVII in 1983, Walker recorded four kickoff returns for 190 yards and a touchdown, setting Super Bowl records for most kick return yards and highest single game yards-per-return average (47.5).

He also picked up 5 interceptions at defensive back while in the league.

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