Football | 8/28/2011 12:00:00 AM

With consensus NCAA Division II All-American Larry Wriedt leading four returning starters and a deep and experienced talent pool, the offensive line shapes up as one of the strongest units on this year's West Liberty University football team.

    Wriedt (6-7, 320), a senior All-Region selection a year ago after starting every game at right tackle for a Hilltopper team which led the nation in scoring and total offense for the second straight year, has emerged as a pro prospect after dropping 20 pounds during the off-season and showing up on just about every Preseason NCAA Division II All-America list.

    Also back in the starting lineup is left tackle Ryan Scaperotta (6-6, 310), an honorable mention All-WVIAC selection a year ago.

    The Hilltoppers also return both starting guards in senior right guard Dan Srch (6-1, 295), an Academic All-District honoree, and sophomore left guard Sawyer Russell (6-4, 300), who replaced the injured Jose Baez at midseason.

    The only graduation loss was All-Region center Nick Madia but West Liberty shouldn't miss a beat as Baez (6-1, 305), an All-Conference center in his junior-college days, is now fully healthy and returns to his natural position.

    While the starters seem pretty well set, they're being pushed hard by versatile senior Randy Lemus (6-1, 280), junior-college transfer Jordan Gibson (6-3, 315) and redshirt junior Dino Herrera (6-4, 285).

    Also in the hunt are junior-college transfer James Tabor (6-2, 290, jr.), redshirt sophomore Connor Leckey (6-6, 265) and junior Josh Varney (6-1, 310) along with true freshmen Charlie Crabtree (6-1, 280), James Billiter (5-11, 280) and Tyler Abron (6-3, 275).

    “The thing I like is that nobody is taking their position for granted,” head coach Roger Waialae said. “Some of the twos are really pushing the ones and that makes everybody better. Some of the juco kids have been really impressive. Lemus started some games for us last year. Varney's coming back from an injury but he was good enough to play here as a true freshman. We have a lot of kids with game experience and a lot of kids who have played at a high level. This is as good a group as we've had since I've been here.”