Nate Phillips

By DON CLEGG

For The Times Leader

WEST LIBERTY — A sharpened approach on the recruiting trail has veteran head coach Roger Waialae optimistic that his Hilltoppers are primed to hit the comeback trail in a revamped Mountain East Conference.

The dean of MEC coaches, Waialae’s 77 career victories lead all MEC grid bosses by a wide margin as he heads into his 15th season at the West Liberty helm. But after seeing injuries and the resulting lack of depth spoil promising starts for three consecutive seasons, Waialae instituted some pro-active changes.

“We’ve brought in a lot more kids to compete at certain positions and we’ve focused on bringing in guys who can compete for starting jobs immediately. We still have some developmental guys but we wanted to focus on impact players this year.”

Picked to finish in the middle of the pack at the league’s annual Football Media Day, Waialae is convinced he has the talent in place to be much more than a dark horse in this year’s conference chase.

“Like all football teams, we need some luck,” Waialae said. “We need to stay healthy. We’ve lost some really good players due to injury over the past few years and we’ve lost a lot of close games but I’m optimistic. I’ve been around long enough to know these things go in cycles. It was swinging our way the first 8-10 years I was in the conference and it will swing back.”

Change is in the wind for the MEC, as well, with UVa-Wise and perennial NCAA Division II power Shepherd leaving for different conferences. They’re being replaced this fall by Wheeling, in its first varsity season, and Frostburg State (Md.), a perennial NCAA Division III power making the transition to Division II.

“Even without Shepherd, this is a good football league,” Waialae said. “Charleston had three guys sign with the NFL. Notre Dame made it to the national semifinals. Fairmont has been consistently good. Winning is an attitude and in order to win on this level you have to control what you can control. We laid the groundwork with a very good spring and we’re going to build on that in August.”

QUARTERBACKS

Dual-threat senior Zach Phillips returns under center. A dangerous runner with two 100-yard rushing games a year ago, Phillips finished strong with 868 passing yards and nine TDs in his final three games. Sophomore Erick Taylor, a transfer from California (Pa.), showed promise in the spring and Waialae is excited about freshman recruits Jamie Diven and Jordan Wood.

“Zach is really good but it’s still a competition. They all want to play and we’ll go with the guy who gives us the best chance to win games,” Waialae said. “Taylor showed the ability to move the team during spring practice and had a strong spring game. Diven had huge high school numbers and has that quarterback mentality while Wood is a really athletic kid with a high ceiling.”

RUNNING BACKS

Seniors D.J. Frisby and converted WR Aaron Farmer split time in the spring as junior Savion Johnson continued his rehab from a serious leg injury. Frisby impressed last fall, posting WLU’s longest run from scrimmage (38 yards) and longest pass reception (69 yards). Farmer, a former high school QB, settled in quickly as a viable option in the spring. Jayvon Wilson, a Florida freshman who ran for more than 180 yards a game as a senior, could make a serious bid for time along with late-signing Jordan Presley, a speedy All-Stater from Indiana. Transfers Quincy Wimbish and Jared Alphonso should also be factors.

“This will be a good position,” Waialae said. “Frisby and Farmer can be every-down backs. They’re both good receivers with the ability to make people miss. That’s an element we haven’t had for a while. We’re monitoring Savion’s progress and will make a decision in camp. Wilson and Presley are smart kids who have had success at a high level and I like the late transfers we picked up.”

TIGHT ENDS/

H-BACKS

There’s plenty of depth and experience here. All-MEC junior Ridge Durbin caught at least one pass in every game last year and led the Hilltoppers with 44 receptions. Fellow junior Kyle Ritz has played in more than a dozen games over the past two seasons and sophomore Thomas Cole is an NCAA Division I transfer from Wake Forest. Impressive freshman Jesse Collins could be an impact newcomer.

“This is our most reliable position on offense,” Waialae said. “Durbin, Ritz and Cole all had phenomenal springs and Collins could challenge right away. After what we saw in the spring, I could see us becoming a two-tight end team. We moved the ball pretty consistently in that set.”

WIDE RECEIVERS

The Hilltoppers must replace their two leading receivers but they don’t lack for options. Junior Wisdom Jenkins and senior Christian Rita saw significant playing time a year ago and had strong springs. Electrifying junior Isaiah Robinson returns after missing most of 2018 due to injury and former high school sprint champion Dakota Williams, a redshirt freshman transfer, announced his presence with a highlight-reel TD grab in the spring game. Seniors Greg Zuniga and LJ Sutton also return along with sophomores Nate Phillips and Will Billeter and redshirt freshman Jordan Campbell. A horde of talented recruits – Anthony Smoot, Anthony Robbins, Reed Reitter, Craig Bober, Nate McCutcheon, Dakota Ice and Kyle Guilfoil – arrived in August.

“We have great competition,” Waialae said. “Jenkins, Mitchell and Rita made the biggest jumps in the spring. Williams showed he isn’t just a speed guy; he’s probably our best blocker. Zuniga, (Nate) Phillips and Billeter are back at full speed and I wouldn’t rule out any of the incoming freshmen. That’s a very talented group.”

OFFENSIVE LINE

Developing a dominant and consistent offensive line is Job 1 in camp. Senior Chance Rucker anchors the group and will be joined by several new faces. Two transfers – junior Wyatt Gardner and redshirt freshman Francisco Pedrozo – should be immediate impact players while highly-touted freshman Ryan Creech will also get a long look. Sophomore Tyler Ely made several starts as a true freshman while junior T.J. Lew and the sophomore tandem of Austyn Todd and Quinton Williams all had big springs. Redshirt freshman Cody Vokes and Blake Neely stepped up along with sophomore Richard Blackwell. The incoming freshmen – Creech, Trey DelGuzzo, Shane Hercules, Ryan McCave, Zack Meade and Domenic Mills – may be the strongest class in Waialae’s tenure.

“Smoke and mirrors and false keys can only go so far,” Waialae said. “Our offensive line must evolve into the best position on the team for us to win consistently. We have the talent but the key is how fast we can get five guys on the same page for the first game. Rucker is very solid and the transfers – Gardner and Pedrozo – are major upgrades. Creech played in a national all-star game and is our highest profile in-state recruit in years. Our returning guys all had good springs and most of them can play multiple positions. Several of the freshmen we’re bringing in have the physical maturity to contribute.”

DEFENSIVE LINE

Stopping the run is always the top priority for the WLU defense and All-MEC senior DT Cody Rine is set for a breakout year after successful offseason surgery. Versatility is the key here with sophomore Cody Enrietti, junior transfer Lupeni Fonua and junior letterman Brendan Nichols able to play anywhere up front. Rugged DT Francesco Borsellino lettered as a true freshman last fall with sophomore Trevor Cherry and freshmen Dell’Von McIntyre and Michael Cullinane adding depth inside. On the perimeter, sophomore DEs Kenyon Felder and Trevor Hoosier are proven playmakers fighting back from injury. Sophomores David Gilcreast and Dejuan Singleton add speed off the edge while junior letterman Zach Haught had a pair of TFLs in the spring game. Late-signing freshman Desmond Powell could also emerge.

“Cody was already good but this will be the first time he’s played without pain in two years,” Waialae said. “We look for big things from him. Our inside guys all had great springs so we should be solid there. Kenyon sat out last year and can be a big-time player while Hoosier is coming off his second knee injury but is a talented kid.”

LINEBACKERS

The loss of two-time All-Region LB Cliff Clark left a hole at one of the two linebacker spots but the cupboard is far from bare. Junior Clay McDonald is back after ranking fourth on the team with 47 stops a year ago. Juco transfer Walter Peters arrived in time for spring drills and proved a quick study. Redshirt freshmen Maceo Christmas and Woodrow Hughes should also see action while sophomore transfer Shawn Allen and the freshman duo of Hunter Moore and Zach Vincenti were making their case in August. Converted QB Austin Mayfield has opened a lot of eyes since switching to defense the first week of camp.

“Obviously, that’s a big loss with Cliff graduating,” Waialae said, “but Clay made a lot of plays last year and was one of our most improved players in the spring. Peters showed us a lot, Christmas and Hughes are coming along and Austin is really learning fast. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the new guys get in the mix, as well.”

SAFETIES

There’s an embarrassment of riches at the safety spots. Four seniors with significant starting experience return with a large and talented group of underclassmen in support. Logan Deri is a three-time All-MEC pick while Brandon Morrison is a returning Academic All-American. Ty Holmes is an All-MEC pick who missed 2018 due to injury while Larry Fontilisse has 24 starts on his resume. They’re being pushed by redshirt freshman Koty Hudson and sophomore Jack Davis. Five speedy freshmen – Spencer Hutchison, Josh O’Hare, Jamaal Petteway, DaJuan Jones and Kaden Rice – arrived for the start of fall camp.

“There’s no substitute for experience,” Waialae said, “so we’re pretty excited about our options here. Fontilisse and Holmes can play any of the five spots in the secondary, including corner. Deri sat out the spring – he’s 100 percent now – but Hudson really impressed at free safety in his absence. Ty is a proven commodity and the freshmen can really fly. With our experience and versatility, we’ll be able to mix up a lot of coverages.”

CORNERBACKS

This may be WLU’s deepest position in terms of top-level talent. Returning All-American Josh Ojo led the MEC in interceptions a year ago – returning two of them for TDs – while junior Chris Mitchell started as a true freshman in 2017. Youngstown State transfer Kameron Davis lined up at all five secondary spots in the spring while Fontilisse and Holmes also have extensive experience. Redshirt freshmen J’Aire Pritchett and Davonte Williams are back with true freshmen Alex Withers and De’Andre Williams joining the party.

“We may look at putting in a dime package just to get our best players on the field,” Waialae said. “Ojo’s coming off a big year. Mitchell and Holmes are back. Withers is one of the best corners we’ve recruited here in a long time.”

SPECIAL TEAMS

All-MEC sophomore PK Owen Rozanc returns after an impressive freshman season but the Hilltoppers must replace Christian Morris, who took all of WLU’s punting records with him when he graduated in May. Rozanc led the team in scoring with 65 points and his 12 FGs ranked No. 3 nationally among all freshman kickers. Reed Reitter, a true freshman WR, can also kick while Mayfield, Reitter and Farmer will battle it out for the punting job. Look for Rucker to pick up the bulk of the long-snapping duties with Creech, Moore, Haught, Hudson and Jenkins also viable options. Waialae will give incoming freshman WR Anthony Smoot a long look as a kick returner. Robinson is an experienced kick returner while Farmer, Rita, Holmes and Fontilisse have all returned punts.