Football | 9/2/2019 10:00:00 AM

    With key veteran players returning from injury and the influx of some talented newcomers, West Liberty head coach Roger Waialae expects bigger and better things from his receiving corps for the 2019 season.
    Leading the way are junior Isaiah Robinson (6-3, 180), who missed most of last year due to injury but has caught 36 balls for 556 yards in his first two seasons. Also back is senior Christian Rita (6-0, 190), who caught a dozen passes a year ago while battling injury. Sophomore Nate Phillips (5-11, 180) came on strong late in his freshman season, with 6 catches for 96 yards and a pair of TDs against Concord.
    Junior letterman Wisdom Jenkins (6-2, 200), sophomore Will Billeter (6-2, 190) and redshirt freshman Dakota Williams (6-2, 185), a former state sprint champion from Hurricane, W.Va., should also see extensive action. Look for speedy true freshman Anthony Smoot (6-0, 170) to force his way onto the field sooner rather than later.
    The senior tandem of L.J. Sutton (5-11, 170) and Greg Zuniga (6-1, 205) have struggled with injuries during the preseason but true freshmen Craig Bober (6-4, 185), Nate McCutcheon (6-2, 190) and Kyle Guilfoil (5-10, 175) showed promise in August.
    True freshman Anthony Robbins (6-3, 195) has also been slowed by injury while redshirt freshman Jordan Campbell (6-1, 190) and true freshman Dakota Ice (5-10, 160) are earning valuable reps as they continue to develop.
    "The lead group is interchangeable with Robinson and Rita on the outside and Nate Phillips inside but we can mix and match with the second group, as well," Waialae said. "Smoot can really run so we're going to find a way to get him in there.
    "We've had some minor injury issues but overall I like what I see, especially from some of the freshmen. We have a bunch of guys who can go get it but I'm more focused on consistency, making the tough catches underneath and moving the sticks. The guys who can do that are the ones who will see the field."
    West Liberty opens at Wheeling on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.