ORANGEVALE, CA (MPG) – Most college students go to tropical locations for Spring Break. Luke Triplett chose a different destination for his one week away from school.

Last week, Triplett returned home to the Sacramento region for Spring Break and spent his time visiting with family, friends and at his old high school, Casa Roble. The 20-year-old linebacker used the week not only to continue working out and preparing for spring football that is quickly approaching, but to also receive the admiration that comes with revisiting your old stomping grounds.

“Getting that extra work in is definitely a plus,” Triplett said. “I go back there just to get that love and appreciation that everybody always wants. Casa Roble definitely gives that to you, especially (Head) Coach (Chris) Horner and his coaching staff.”

Triplett plays college football at Montana State University-Northern, an NAIA school in Havre, Montana. On offense, he plays running back and slot receiver as he prepares for his true-junior season.

“We’re coming up on an uprising right now with our new coaching staff,” Triplett said of MSU-N football. “The players are building a family bond that I once had in high school, so everything has been good so far. I’m really excited for this year.”

Triplett was still maturing while at Casa Roble and did not prioritize his studies as much as he does now in college.

“In high school, I hadn’t adult-ed yet,” Triplett said. “I was kind of the class clown and just wanted to have fun and do whatever. But I always had my homework done and was really good in the classroom overall.

“In college I’ve grown up, understood my assignment on what I have to do and that’s being a student athlete. So, I’ve taken school into big consideration and just been pushing myself doing sports and becoming a very good scholar athlete.”

Part of his motivation to do well in school away from home has stemmed from the idea of making his hometown proud.

“Being in college, doing well and keeping that right GPA not only benefits myself but (also) the people around me and where I came from, Orangevale,” Triplett said. “It shows that a lot of us can leave the hometown and succeed just as well being somewhere else even if it is a couple states away.”

Triplett had a strong senior season for the Rams, leading his team to 11-2 overall and a perfect 5-0 record in Golden Empire League play.

“Luke was our defensive player of the year his senior year,” Horner said. “He’s likeable, he’s outgoing, very personable. He’s got a motor that won’t stop, and he’s always got a nose for the football. He’s just an intense football player who hits like a Mack truck.”

However, Triplett is a different person on and off the field according to his former coach.

“It’s like Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” Horner said. “He’s funny, he’s happy-go-lucky and he’s always in a good mood around campus. He flips a switch and becomes Johnny Intensity. It’s kind of eerie how he can go from zero to crazy in five seconds flat.”

Unlike some players who can flip that metaphorical switch and become intense leaders vocally, Triplett lets his play do the talking for him.

“He’s not a rah-rah type of leadership guy where he’s going to get up and give speeches,” Horner said. “The way he carries himself on the field is the way he leads. He leads by example.”

One of Triplett’s favorite memories from playing for the Rams before graduating in 2019 came during his senior season in 2018 when Casa Roble won on the road at Vista del Lago 35-28 in overtime.

“I’m not a big fan (of the Eagles) because the games always come down to the wire,” Horner said. “For some reason, we have the worst luck against that team. I like them and I like the coach, they’re just a really hard team to beat because something inevitably always happens. That game was no exception.

“In my football career, we’ve been playing Vista for, shoot, 10-12 years and I could never beat them,” Horner continued. “The only time I beat them was Luke’s sophomore year and then we beat them Luke’s senior year. Those are the only two wins and I’m like 2-8 against those guys (in) whatever level I’m coaching.”

Horner is going into his 22nd season coaching football at Casa Roble. He spent his first 12 years at the school as head coach of the freshmen team, next two as a varsity assistant, then two as junior varsity head coach before the last five plus years as the varsity head coach.

Therefore, Horner has seen a lot of talented athletes throughout the years.

“Luke is one of the top 10 (overall and) top five defensive players I’ve coached,” Horner said. “He’ll do whatever you tell him to do. Even if he doesn’t like doing what you’re asking him to do, he’s still going to do it because he’s a competitor. He’s one of the better defensive players that I’ve had the ability to coach.”

Triplett is currently double majoring in Criminal Justice and Liberal Studies. His current goal is to take football as far as he can. If it doesn’t work out for Triplett as a professional football player, a career as a Fish and Game Warden watching over wildlife in California interests him.