It was not very long ago that the West Liberty football program was known for lighting up the scoreboard.
    Times have certainly changed.
    “We've been known for our offense,” Head Coach Roger Waialae said. “But for some reason we haven't been consistent on offense the last couple of years.”
     The Hilltoppers averaged just 21.3 points per game last season and were next to last in the old-WVIAC in total offense with 275.2 yards per game.
     Still, they finished 6-5 and came within a few points of being 8-3 thanks to a strong defense.
     Look for more of the same this season.
     “This is probably going to be the fastest defense I've had,” Waialae said. “Everybody is back plus an All-Conference player is returning after missing last year with a knee injury.”
     That is senior safety Alec Wood who was fourth on the squad in tackles in 2011.
     West Liberty allowed only 20.8 points and 340.3 yards per game in 2012, both good enough for fourth in the old nine-team league.
     “I thought our defense was outstanding every game,” Waialae said. “We were very consistent on that side of the ball.”
     That unit lost only an inside linebacker and one lineman.
     The front three return and the line will once again be anchored by 6-2, 315 pound senior Nate Maleski. He is joined by David Huggins, 6-3 and 260, and Derrick Rovira, 6-1 and 240.
     “Other than (Maleski) everybody is smaller than what we've had in the past,” Waialae said. “We had to do that because everybody is running the spread.”
     Marco Ricchetti, a 6-foot-3, 200 pound free safety who was second on the squad in tackles in 2011 and led the Hilltoppers last season leads a strong defensive secondary.
     Senior Justin Black and Marquis Bradley return in the defensive backfield.
     Though the offense has struggled recently this could be the year it gets back on track or at least close to it.
     Sophomore quarterback Dylan Lagarde showed flashed of potential during five starts last season throwing for 1,150 yards but tossed 14 interceptions.
     He will be challenged by a trio of freshmen.
     Leading rusher Isaiah Moody returns for his junior season. The 5-7 speedster ran for 618 yards and will be joined in the backfield by senior Kenjay Trueblood who started the final six games in 2012 and ended up with 352 yards.
     The wide receiver corps is brand new.
     “We graduated five and brought in six new ones,” Waialae said.
     He is looking for good things from 6-6, 235 pound junior college transfer Roosevelt Morisset.
     The Hilltoppers picked up some momentum at the end of last season winning four of their last six including a one-point victory over league champion Shepherd.