West Liberty Can’t Overcome Slow Start vs. Walsh
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WEST LIBERTY - The Chad Salisbury Era at West Liberty started off on the wrong note as the Hilltoppers dug themselves an early hole Thursday night that proved too big to climb out of in dropping a 30-27 decision to visiting Walsh at a jam-packed West Family Stadium.
West Liberty trailed 10-0 after the first quarter and was on the short end of a 16-3 decision at the half and were down 23-6 early in the third quarter.
However, the Hilltoppers cut the deficit to 30-27 on a flea-flicker with 5:31 remaining to play, but the defense couldn't come up with a stop when it needed in the waning moments.
Oak Glen graduate Hunter Patterson, the reigning Mountain East Conference Offensive Player of the Year, accounted for 251 all-purpose yards and scored two touchdowns to spark the West Liberty comeback.
Patterson caught a swing pass from quarterback Kohl Meisman, turned the corner and outrain everyone down the near sidelines to cap a 54-yard scoring connection. Aidan Grella, who had a pair of first-half field goals, tacked up the PAT to make it 23-13.
The Cavaliers responded as Jake Gill bulled in from a yard to conclude a 13-play, 85-yard march that took nearly six minutes off the clock and upped the margin to 30-13.
Patterson once again used his speed to get the Hilltoppers closer as he took a handoff around the left end and kept his balance down the far sidelines before diving into the end zone. Grella's PAT made it 30-20 with 10:15 remaining to play.
Following a Walsh punt, Meisman handed to Patterson on a sweep left. Patterson then pitched the ball to Trey Singleton who then gave it back to Meisman. The quarterback lofted the ball downfield to a wide-open Dominic Diaz-Ellis to complete a 43-yard scoring strike. Grella made it 30-27 with 5:31 on the clock, but the hosts would get no closer.
Walsh was faced with a third-and-7 from deep in its own territory. However, quarterback Hayden Wickard eluded the rush and scrambled for a first down to keep the clock running.
Patterson finished with 14 carries for 144 yards while also catching 10 passes for 107 more stripes. Meisman was 21 of 36 for 242 yards with two touchdowns and a pick.
Wickard completed 12 of 17 for 205 and the aforementioned touchdown, while backup Brendan Zurbrugg, who had stops at Oklahoma and Utah, was 6-for-9 for 46 yards and a touchdown.
Walsh scored on its first two drives as Gill ran 19 yards to open the scoring. Andrew Caranna booted a 34-yard field goal.
Grella had three-pointers from 35 and 40 yards sandwiched around a 19-yard scoring hookup from Zurbrugg to Gill.
West Liberty racked up 446 yards of offense on 63 snaps. Walsh accumulated 405 on 61 plays.
The Hilltoppers were flagged nine times for 80 yards.
West Liberty travels to Greensburg, Pa., next week to face Seton Hill.
GAME NOTE
- Prior to the opening kickoff, West Liberty recognized First Responders and Military personnel for their service.