WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — West Liberty closed out the Roger Waialae era in unforgettable fashion Saturday afternoon, outlasting Wheeling 68–67 in a rivalry shootout at West Family Stadium. The victory was career win No. 101 for Waialae and capped his 21 seasons as head coach — and 33 total years with the program — with one of the most dramatic finishes in school history.
The Hilltoppers (3–8, 3–5 MEC) piled up 783 yards of total offense, highlighted by a historic performance from quarterback Kohl Meisman, who threw for 502 yards and four touchdowns. He became just the fourth quarterback in program history — and the first since Zach Amerdro (525) in 2010 — to surpass 500 passing yards in a game.
Running back Hunter Patterson delivered a record-tying day of his own, rushing for 201 yards and five touchdowns, matching the school's single-game rushing TD record. He added another score through the air for six total touchdowns, tying the program's single-game record for overall TDs. His 68-yard touchdown burst late in the third quarter gave the Hilltoppers a 55–45 lead — their largest of the day — as West Liberty repeatedly answered Wheeling's rallies.
Wheeling (6–5, 5–3 MEC) opened the game with a 100-yard kickoff return by Sajari Love, but West Liberty quickly responded with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Meisman to Levi Gullion. Patterson then ignited the offense, scoring from 2, 25, 1 and 21 yards out to help push WLU to a 34–21 advantage.
After the Cardinals cut into the deficit before halftime, Patterson opened the third quarter with a 12-yard rushing score, then hauled in a 62-yard touchdown pass from Meisman to rebuild the cushion. Wheeling continued to claw back and eventually grabbed a 67–61 lead with 1:09 remaining.
But Meisman and the Hilltoppers had one final answer.
The junior quarterback led a crisp, composed drive in the final minute, finishing with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Osama Hurst with eight seconds left. The play marked Hurst's second game-winning touchdown catch of the season, joining his decisive grab against West Virginia State in October. Morgan Williamson's PAT gave West Liberty a 68–67 lead, and the defense sealed it by recovering a fumble on Wheeling's last attempt.
Meisman finished 30-of-43 passing and added 58 rushing yards. Patterson totaled 275 all-purpose yards and six touchdowns, while Jaylin Harcum posted 110 receiving yards on four catches. Defensively, Bre'Andre Horsley recorded six tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery.
"Kohl was unbelievable today. He kept battling, kept finding answers, and showed the kind of poise you hope for in a quarterback," Waialae said. "Hunter has been special all year, and he put the team on his back again. And for Osama to make another clutch play — that's who he is. Those guys weren't going to let us lose."
The game also served as Senior Day for seven Hilltoppers. For Waialae, it was a fitting finish to more than three decades on the Hilltop.
"I've been blessed to be part of West Liberty for 33 years," he said. "To finish it off with a rivalry win at home, watching our guys fight the way they did — that's something I'll carry with me forever. This place and these kids mean a lot to me."
