Football | 8/14/2017 7:16:00 PM

    WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – The West Liberty University football team continued to set a brisk pace during Monday afternoon's preseason session at West Family Stadium.
    After an hour featuring the usual flexibility work, special teams and position drills, the squad split up with the linemen heading down to the south end zone for some 1-on-1 pass rush and pass block drills. The rest of the team jogged up to the opposite 40-yard-line for an extended 7-on 7 period.
    The defense got off to a great start on the first snap as junior QB Brenton Colabella couldn't find an open receiver and had to hold onto the ball as time expired. The offense rebounded quickly with Colabella going over the top for a long gainer to electrifying junior WR Osman Kargbo on the next snap.
    Momentum swung back and forth between the offense and defense throughout the period.
    The quarterbacks worked through various sets and receiver combinations with Colabella continuing to impress. Transfers Lukas O'Connor and Aaron Farmer also had several completions along with senior Jake Kalama and true freshmen Marco Vogle and Austin Mayfield.
    Kargbo and returning junior H-Back Ian Kelly led the receiving corps with junior H-Back Trevor Hardesty also pulling in multiple receptions. Also with catches during the period were TEs Marcus Malara, Joe Staffileno, and Kyle Ritz with sophomore H-Back Ridge Durbin also making his presence felt. Sophomore WR Quinton Jones continued his strong camp with transfer WR Jaquan McCullough joining freshman WRs Tyler Freeman, Isaiah Robinson, John Burkhalter and Quamaezius Mosby in the mix.
    On the defensive side, sophomore DBs Chris Mitchell and Larry Fontilisse showed good coverage skills with a couple of nice pass break-ups. Senior LB Musa Felder wrapped things up with a flourish, making a great read and break on the ball to intercept a short pass over the middle and sprinting all the way back for a pick-6.
    A full team period was up next and the fireworks started quickly with Mitchell picking off a pass on the very first snap. Colabella answered by finding Durbin darting down the right hash for a touchdown on the next play before things began to settle in.
    Sophomore WR L.J. Sutton had several catches during the team period, including a wide open TD set up by a pretty pump fake from Colabella that froze the defensive back. Hardesty, Jones and Kargbo also had multiple catches on the perimeter with TEs Malara, Staffileno and Ritz primarily working the middle of the field.
    The running backs focused on pass protection but also had several opportunities to catch the ball out of the backfield. Senior RBs Jeremiah Ortiz, Braxton Gamble and Tyriq Dorsett took advantage of their experience here but newcomers Charles Westbrook and Bryan Milligan seemed to be quick studies.
    The defensive line put good pressure on the quarterbacks, at times, as the offensive line worked on its slides and schemes. Sophomore DL Ben Berkovitz batted down one pass at the line and there were several quarterback "hurries."
    Monday's practice concluded with more special teams work in the middle of the field while the quarterbacks and receivers trotted to the south end zone to work on fade routes.
    After practicing in "uppers" on Monday, the Hilltoppers will return to West Family Stadium in pads Tuesday at 3 p.m. for the second full contact session of the preseason.