Greg Tripp's prep football career came to an abrupt end when he dislocated his right knee cap and tore meniscus during Central Valley's 34-20 Week 9 loss to Central Catholic in 2011.
"I knew I was going to play again," said Tripp, a 5-foot-10, 165-pound receiver. "I've put the injury behind me. I'm back to normal."
This fall, Greg will vie for playing time with Modesto Junior College. He's been attending Pirate practices since April.
"I feel comfortable there," Tripp said. "We run a spread offense. We throw a lot."
Tripp passed up an opportunity to team up with former Hawk standouts Tyree Jones (running back) and Trevor Mew (quarterback) at Merced College.
Greg and Tyree are brothers.
"It was a tough decision," Tripp said. "It took me months. But I want to have my own identity. We're both going to get our shine. We're good athletes. We work hard. We play each other the first game of the year."
Greg had his immediate future mapped out prior to suffering the devastating injury.
Southern Oregon University canceled Tripp's February recruiting trip.
Greg was also snubbed when Rotary and Lions high school all-star football game rosters were finalized.
"I have to prove myself again," said Tripp, who caught 37 passes for 541 yards and seven touchdowns, and intercepted five passes on his way to earning WAC second-team accolades with the Hawks as a senior. "It makes me work harder."
Eight months have passed since Tripp's prep football career was cut short due to injury.
Greg watched from the sidelines as Central Valley closed out the 2011 season with a 55-21 rout of crosstown-rival Ceres High.
"That's probably the worse thing I had to deal with in my whole life," he said. "It hurt not being able to strap up. The whole week was emotional for me. The injury taught me to appreciate the game of football more."
Tripp couldn't walk without crutches for four weeks.
His knee was placed in a brace and an immobilizer.
Greg wants to make difference during his first season with Modesto JC.
"In high school, your position is set," he said. "In college, you got to make the best of every opportunity. Every little thing matters. I'll do whatever they ask me to do. It's about making plays. I have high expectations for myself. I have a lot of confidence. I enjoy everything about football. You can be yourself and control your own destiny."
"I knew I was going to play again," said Tripp, a 5-foot-10, 165-pound receiver. "I've put the injury behind me. I'm back to normal."
This fall, Greg will vie for playing time with Modesto Junior College. He's been attending Pirate practices since April.
"I feel comfortable there," Tripp said. "We run a spread offense. We throw a lot."
Tripp passed up an opportunity to team up with former Hawk standouts Tyree Jones (running back) and Trevor Mew (quarterback) at Merced College.
Greg and Tyree are brothers.
"It was a tough decision," Tripp said. "It took me months. But I want to have my own identity. We're both going to get our shine. We're good athletes. We work hard. We play each other the first game of the year."
Greg had his immediate future mapped out prior to suffering the devastating injury.
Southern Oregon University canceled Tripp's February recruiting trip.
Greg was also snubbed when Rotary and Lions high school all-star football game rosters were finalized.
"I have to prove myself again," said Tripp, who caught 37 passes for 541 yards and seven touchdowns, and intercepted five passes on his way to earning WAC second-team accolades with the Hawks as a senior. "It makes me work harder."
Eight months have passed since Tripp's prep football career was cut short due to injury.
Greg watched from the sidelines as Central Valley closed out the 2011 season with a 55-21 rout of crosstown-rival Ceres High.
"That's probably the worse thing I had to deal with in my whole life," he said. "It hurt not being able to strap up. The whole week was emotional for me. The injury taught me to appreciate the game of football more."
Tripp couldn't walk without crutches for four weeks.
His knee was placed in a brace and an immobilizer.
Greg wants to make difference during his first season with Modesto JC.
"In high school, your position is set," he said. "In college, you got to make the best of every opportunity. Every little thing matters. I'll do whatever they ask me to do. It's about making plays. I have high expectations for myself. I have a lot of confidence. I enjoy everything about football. You can be yourself and control your own destiny."
