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By DON CLEGG
WEST LIBERTY -- Veteran head coach Roger Waialae kicked off his 13th preseason camp at the West Liberty helm earlier this month with a bad taste still lingering in his mouth after one of the most frustrating campaigns of his career.
Waialae's 2016 Hilltoppers outscored their opponents by a 288-281 margin but came away with a deceptive 4-7 record. Five of the losses came by margins of a touchdown or less, including three by one point and one in double-overtime.
As incredible as it seems, all that stood between an undefeated 11-0 championship season and WLU's 4-7 mark was a mere 44 points -- the total margin of defeat in the Black and Gold's seven losses. That number -- "44" --became a mantra for the team during offseason conditioning.
"There's such a fine line between winning and losing at this level and the past couple of seasons have certainly driven that point home to our guys," Waialae said. "We want to be the team that finishes in the fourth quarter, that makes the big play that turns those close losses into wins."
With 14 starters and 46 lettermen back in the fold, the Hilltoppers were building from a solid base when they hit the West Family Stadium turf for the start of preseason drills.
"The thing that stood out to me in the spring and again this month is the improvement on the offensive line," Waialae said. "No matter how talented you are at the skill positions, they can't do anything if you're getting exploited up front. It's the most important part of your offense."
Changing personnel is part and parcel of the college game, so Waialae and his staff have been experimenting with ways to accentuate the strengths on this year's roster. Thanks to a veteran front wall and a deep stable of running backs, the 2017 Hilltoppers may feature more smash than splash.
"We're doing a lot of work with four tight ends on the field," Waialae said. "That's a very deep position for us and could create some favorable matchups. We're certainly going to be a much more physical team this fall."
Waialae has moved up to No. 2 in career coaching wins on the hilltop. His 71-62 record trails only WLU Hall of Famer Joe Bartell, who went 118-55-11 from 1933 to 1956, but the fire still burns for the veteran head man.
"I told my wife that if I wasn't excited about doing this, I'd be sitting on a beach in Hawaii sipping a beer and enjoying my retirement," Waialae said. "Everybody is 0-0 right now. If you're not excited at this point of the year, you should probably be doing something else."
The Hilltoppers open the season at home against Urbana on Aug. 31. That Thursday night kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
QUARTERBACKS
Junior Brenton Colabella from Steubenville Catholic Central is the heir apparent to record-setting signalcaller Dakota Conwell. Colabella backed Conwell for the past two seasons and nearly engineered an upset of NCAA Division II playoff entry Fairmont State last fall when Conwell went down with an injury. Senior Jake Kalama offers a rugged run-pass option at 6-foot-5, 240 pounds while speedy transfer Aaron Farmer is another dual-threat QB who was the leading kick and punt returner at Lenoir-Rhyne a year ago. Transfer Lukas O'Connor is also in the mix along with some promising freshmen.
"The biggest thing Dakota brought to the table was his leadership," Waialae said. "Colabella's a quiet kid but he's worked hard on that and is much more of a vocal presence. He's a little more accurate than Dakota in the short and mid-range game but what we need most from our quarterback is good decisions. Kalama is working on being more consistent throwing the ball, Farmer and O'Connor are learning the system and we have some really talented freshmen."
RUNNING BACKS
There's a deep and experienced cast here with three talented senior lettermen in Jeremiah Ortiz, Braxton Gamble and Tyriq Dorsett being joined by a pair of Division I transfers and some impressive freshmen. The durable Ortiz has more than 1,000 career rushing yards and all three returnees have at least one TD run of 50-plus yards on their resume. Former Wheeling Park all-stater Savion Johnson transfers in after a redshirt year at FCS North Carolina A&T while senior Charles Westbrook was a late addition from Western Illinois. They're joined by highly touted freshmen Chase Street of Magnolia and Bryan Milligan.
"We need to find a running back capable of taking pressure off the quarterback," Waialae said. "All three seniors have shown that ability. It comes down to consistency, making the right calls, pass protection, blocking, etc. Savion is as good a back as there is at the Division II level if he's healthy, Westbrook is a really talented guy and we like our freshmen so there's going to be great competition. I won't have a committee, though. I want one guy to take over the job. I'll pick that guy this month and live with it."
H-BACKS/TIGHT ENDS/FULLBACKS
This is one of the most versatile groups on the squad. Ian Kelly, WLU's top returning receiver, is back at 100 percent after being hurt in the spring game. He and John Marshall's Trevor Hardesty are two-year lettermen while tight ends Marcus Malara and Brooke's Joey Staffileno gained valuable game experience a year ago. Ridge Durbin and Magnolia's Kyle Ritz will also factor in after redshirting last fall while veteran fullback Raleigh Mason from Brooke is back for his senior year.
"It's a very deep and talented group that was our most consistent and productive offensive position in the spring," Waialae said. "Kelly and Hardesty are a little different as they can line up anywhere from wide receiver to running back. That brings a different dimension to the offense, especially throwing out of play action in a four-tight set. We're pretty excited about these guys."
WIDE RECEIVERS
Graduation hit hard at wide receiver with All-MEC seniors Dan Monteroso and Anton McCallum completing their football eligibility after combining for more than 1,600 yards and 21 TDs on nearly 100 catches last fall. Also missing is projected starter Shane Phillips, who will redshirt after offseason surgery. Osman Kargbo could be poised for a breakout season after putting on a show during the spring game. Waialae was also encouraged by the emergence of rangy Mike McLean while Teddy Mayo and Quinton Jones are returning lettermen with game experience. Juco transfer Jaquan McCullough should be a factor. Don't be surprised to see some true freshmen fight their way onto the field.
"McLean probably had the best spring but everybody got better," Waialae said. "Mayo's our most consistent guy and the best blocker and Jones keeps getting better. We need Kargbo to become a consistent threat in our offense because he can go the distance at any time. McCullough will help once he catches up mentally and we can move Kelly and/or Hardesty to the inside slot. We're taking a long look at some very talented freshmen, as well."
OFFENSIVE LINE
This is another unit coming off a strong performance in the spring. Senior All-MEC guard Corey Ernest from St. Clairsville leads the way while Austin Yackey started every game at center. Hunter Steel is back at full strength while Linsly grad Austin Whipkey is emerging as a force. Caldwell's Chance Rucker stepped up after playing as a true freshman last year and Drew Cockerham is pushing hard at center. Juco transfer Gavin Harrell can slot in anywhere while rugged Dominique Hudson is also in the mix.
"As I said, this is the most important position on the team. We really like what we've seen from them and we've added some pretty talented guys to the mix," Waialae said. "Everybody had very good springs. Now we need them to take that up another level."
DEFENSIVE LINE
Replacing All-MEC tackles Darnell Vickers and Jevon Fripp has been job one on this side of the ball. Waialae and veteran D-Line coach Brad Forshey like the talent at the top but want to develop more depth. Returning lettermen Cody Rine from Brooke and Jamil Raymore lead the way inside. Sean Fuimaono, a senior transfer from national runner-up North Alabama, should be a force along with returning vet Tom Wangler. The Hilltoppers are loaded at defensive end with All-MEC senior Mohammed Sankoh joined by fellow seniors Tim Moody and Kelechi Adoma along with Ben Berkovitz and Paden City's Zach Heasley.
"Rine and Raymore are very good but we like to play a lot of guys so we need Wangler and Englehart to step up coming off good springs. We have some freshmen and transfers coming in who have the potential to be impact performers if they can make the adjustment to this level. The ends look like the strength of this unit. We've got proven experience and production from guys like Sankoh, Moody and Adoma while Berkovitz and Heasley have shown the ability to make plays."
LINEBACKERS
Returning starter Cliff Clark from Cambridge exploded onto the scene as one of the MEC's premier linebackers last fall, ranking among the nation's leaders in solo tackles before being sidelined with a late-season injury. There's a pitched battle going on at the other spot where strong safeties Cordell Felder and Brandon Gaither have thrown their helmets into the ring alongside returning lettermen Dylan Anderson, Zach Connor from Indian Creek, Joey Ierulli, Patrick Frey and Weir's Zahir Hicks. A couple of juco transfers could also find their way onto the field.
"Cliff really came into his own last season," Waialae said. "He's a really versatile guy who makes plays sideline to sideline. Very good in pass coverage and a good blitzer, he has to be our leader on the field. We have a good mix of guys for the other spot so we'll probably fill that by committee."
SAFETIES
Logan Deri, last season's MEC Defensive Freshman of the Year, heads a talented cohort of safeties. Ty Holmes is another returning starter with Felder and Gaither figuring strongly here, as well. Charles Simons is a proven playmaker with starting experience, Nate Salomon had a great spring and Larry Fontilisse can fill any of the three safety spots or even step in at cornerback. Brandon Morrison saw significant action as a true freshman last fall but will redshirt after offseason surgery.
"We have great talent and versatility here," Waialae said, "so we'll be able to mix and match. Deri has a knack for making plays on the ball and we have a lot of other guys back there who have proven themselves in game action. Salomon finally got healthy and had a great spring. Our safeties got better as a group last year and we're looking for them to be even more of a positive factor this season."
CORNERBACKS
Terrance Baldwin returns for his third season as a starter and there are plenty of quality options for the other side of the field. Returning letterman Josh Ojo and redshirt freshman Chris Mitchell each had strong springs while safeties Holmes, Simons and Fontilisse have extensive experience in coverage.
"I really like the flexibility of this group," Waialae said. "We can put a lot of combinations out there, depending on matchups. They had a great spring in terms of understanding the system and what we're trying to accomplish and I saw improvement every day. This is another spot where some freshmen could make an impact."
SPECIAL TEAMS
Christian Morris returns for his third season and will once again handle WLU's kicking and punting duties. Morris converted 28 of 36 PATs and 8 of 12 field-goal attempts last year and will be looking to return to the punting form that earned him All-MEC laurels as a freshman. Farmer can also punt while true freshman John Burkhalter from Wheeling Central provides competition in the kicking game. Yackey returns for his third season as the long snapper with Ierulli also available. Kargbo leads an electrifying group of kick and punt returners.
"Morris went through a sophomore jinx thing last year," Waialae said, "but I'm not worried about him. We know the talent is there and he responded well in the spring. Yackey's done a great job for us at long snapper and Ierulli really impressed in the spring so we're in good shape there, as well. I'm really excited about our return game. Kargbo just needs a crack and he can go the distance at any time. We have a lot of other guys capable of going back there with him but we'll sort that out in August."
Aug. 31: Urbana 7 p.m.
Sept. 9: at W.Va. Wesleyan 1 p.m.
Sept. 14: Charleston 7 p.m.
Sept. 23: at UVa-Wise 1:30 p.m.
Sept. 28: Notre Dame 7 p.m.
Oct. 7: at Shepherd Noon
Oct. 14: Glenville State 1 p.m.
Oct. 21: at W.Va. State 1 p.m.
Oct. 28: Concord 1 p.m.
Nov. 2: Eastern New Mexico 6 p.m.
Nov. 9: at Fairmont State 7 p.m.
PREDICTION
Win 6, Lose 5