WEST LIBERTY, W. Va.—The Hilltopper Football Team had a rough start to the season, going 0-4 overall and 0-2 in conference play.
The season kicked off on August 29 when West Liberty welcomed Walsh to West Family Stadium for the home and season opener. Walsh’s Garrett Waite returned the opening kickoff for a 92-yard touchdown. That was just the beginning of an explosive first quarter for the Cavaliers.
Walsh scored 21 unanswered first quarter points. West Liberty finally got on the board after a 28-yard touchdown run by Hunter Patterson. Five minutes later, Dante Walker punched it in from the one yard line, and the extra point was made by Trent Doerfler, allowing Walsh to take a 28-7 lead.
On Walsh’s first drive of the new half, Anthony Harris brought in a 64-yard touchdown pass. West Liberty responded with a touchdown of its own, this one coming from a 52-yard touchdown pass to Ben Turner. At the end of the third quarter, the Hilltoppers trailed 35-14.
Walsh would add another rushing touchdown early in the fourth, and West Liberty also tacked on one more score as Alex Dunlevy connected with AJ Barmer for an 11-yard touchdown. The final score would lean Walsh’s way, 42-21.
Starting quarterback Trevor Lagarde went 16-of-32, throwing for 152 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Patterson carried the ball 11 times and gained 50 yards, plus he found the end-zone. Turner led all receivers with 83 yards on five receptions. Defensively, Jamair Tate and Trent Crawford both had 9 total tackles.
On September 5, Limestone came to town and proved why it’s been to the Division II playoffs in back-to-back seasons. The Hilltoppers failed to stop the Saints from scoring on each of their first five drives. Tyler Waddell made both of the first half-field goals he attempted for West Liberty. The score at half was 35-6 for Limestone.
The second half wasn’t much better for West Liberty, though it managed to find the paydirt late in the third quarter. Marquez Hurst caught a 10 yard pass from Lagarde. Walsh had the lone score of the fourth quarter off a 10 yard pass from Dustin Noller to Tre Williams.
In the 48-13 loss, Lagarde completed 25 of 53 passes for 248 yards and had a touchdown pass, but also tossed 3 picks. Hurst caught 7 passes and went for 106 yards, plus a touchdown. Patterson had 12 totes for 50 yards. Chris Harm made 9 tackles, including 0.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 recorded sacks.
September 14 was the Hall of Fame game, and the in-conference opponent of Frostburg State came to the Hilltop to ruin it.
In the first quarter alone, Bobcat quarterback Myles Fulton threw for four touchdowns. Patterson had a big first frame for West Liberty, catching an 81 yard touchdown pass and rushing for an 80 yard touchdown. After the
first quarter, Frostburg led 29-20.
Early in the second quarter, Frostburg State’s Jaylen Boyd had an 80-yard pick six. With 4:48 left, Jeremiah Gibson caught a 41-yard touchdown, putting the Bobcats ahead 43-20. Waddell kicked a first half concluding field goal from 33 yards out getting the Hilltoppers within 20.
The Black and Gold got shutout in the second half but allowed two more Bobcat scores. The final score was 57-23 in favor of Frostburg State.
Lagarde completed just 5 of his 12 passes and had 104 yards. He threw a touchdown and an interception. Patterson had a huge day and was the bright spot in the lopsided Hilltopper loss. He rushed 10 times for a total of 150 yards, hauled in 4 catches for 90 yards, and had 2 total touchdowns.
The Hilltoppers played the West Virginia State Yellow Jackets in their first away game on September 21. Lagarde scored the first touchdown of the game on a quarterback keeper from 1 yard out. The Yellow Jackets took over in the second quarter scoring 23 points.
To open the third quarter, Levi Guillion threw a 65-yard touchdown pass to Turner. Later on in the quarter, Turner would throw a 44-yard touchdown pass to Vernon Settles.
In the fourth, Guillion ran for a 17-yard touchdown 48 seconds in. The final Hilltopper scoring drive of the game came at the 8-minute mark. Ti’Lan McGee ran it in from six yards out.
Despite the offense finally coming alive, West Liberty was unable to overcome the deficit and lost to West Virginia State 57 to 37. Guillion went 14-of-23 for 266 yards and a touchdown.
Rushing wise, McGee had team highs in carries and yards with 9 and 40 respectively. Turner exploded for 207 yards on 8 receptions and a touchdown. On the defensive side of the ball, Taison Fa’Asuamanu made 9 tackles, and Delano Marcelus had a sack.
The Hilltoppers have a bye week this week but return to action on October 5. They’ll welcome the Concord Mountain Lions to West Family Stadium for a 1 PM kickoff.
