Football | 10/14/2020 3:22:00 PM

    WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – If this were a normal year, Coach Roger Waialae and his West Liberty University football team would have half of the 2020 season in the books and be preparing for a Saturday afternoon game at Fairmont State.
    Unfortunately, 2020 hasn't been a normal year for anybody due to the pandemic.
    The Mountain East Conference's football schedule has been flipped with the 2020 season shortened and shifted to the spring of 2021 while spring practice – postponed when campuses shut down in March – has morphed into "Fall Ball" and is now proceeding with caution at WLU and several other schools.
    Heading into his 16th season at the WLU helm, Waialae says he's been impressed by how well his players have handled the unique challenges they've faced, not just athletically, but academically and socially, as well.
    "We're fortunate to have a good conscientious group of guys," Waialae said. "Kids are more resilient than adults and they've really done a great job of taking care of themselves and each other so far.
    "We've been very strict about adhering to all local, state and NCAA guidelines regarding health and safety during the pandemic and only had one player test positive since everybody got back to campus. Out of an abundance of caution, we immediately paused our workouts and followed the protocols until it was safe to resume. The safety of our players and coaching staff has always been our main concern."
    Waialae commended the MEC and West Liberty athletic director Lynn Ullom for maintaining strong lines of communication with frequent updates throughout the summer, allowing the coaching staff to keep their players informed. The MEC's decision to move this year's schedule to the spring well before players reported to campus in the fall was also helpful.
    "That gave us the chance to prepare over the summer and get all of that frustration out of our system before we got here," Waialae said. "Once we got to campus, a lot of the frustration went away because we were able to get back to in-person classes, back to a routine and some sense of normalcy.
    "We had some players decide to stay home and go completely online for the semester due to health concerns but still have 92 guys in place here so we're able to accomplish what we want to accomplish."
    With three of his 15 "spring" practice sessions already under the Hilltoppers' belts, Waialae says he laid out his practice schedule exactly the same way he would have during a normal March and April.
    "Spring ball is always more of an instructional process, especially for the new guys," Waialae said. We're installing formations and fronts, working through progressions and taking advantage of the time we have to work on basics while keeping everyone on the same page and learning at the same pace.
    "For example, one thing we're focused on with the quarterbacks right now is taking snaps under center. That gives you more options in the run and pass game but I have quarterbacks who have never taken a snap under center. That's what spring practice is for; it's as much mental as it is physical."
    The protective masks beneath the helmets and constant attention to social distancing within player groups gives a different look to this year's sessions but the veteran coach says he has noticed another significant difference in the Black and Gold's edition of "Fall Ball."
    "The enthusiasm," he said. "I've never seen anybody as excited to practice as this group of guys. After not being able to do anything other than basic conditioning for so long, they were really fired up to finally get on the field and actually do football-related stuff."
    The Hilltoppers' fourth practice session is set for Wednesday night. With the exception of Friday and Saturday afternoons, all "Fall Ball" sessions will kick off under the lights in order to avoid classroom conflicts. There will be no Black and Gold Game this year and all practices remain closed to spectators.
    The MEC is expected to announce an updated spring football schedule later this fall.