WHEELING, W.Va. — The West Liberty University football team capped its regular season in historic fashion Saturday, rolling to a 56-21 victory over Wheeling at Bishop Schmitt Field to secure a share of the Mountain East Conference championship.
The Hilltoppers finished the season 8-3 overall and 6-2 in MEC play, sharing the conference title with Charleston. It marks the first MEC football championship in program history and the 16th conference championship overall for West Liberty football.
West Liberty dominated on the ground, rushing for 367 yards and seven touchdowns while controlling possession for 38:49. The Hilltoppers also converted all seven of their red-zone opportunities and limited Wheeling to 223 total yards.
For first-year head coach
Chad Salisbury, the championship was the culmination of a season built around togetherness, accountability and establishing a strong team culture.
"I think that we tried to build a team and build a family," Salisbury said. "I think that's why we've had some success."
That family atmosphere was on display throughout Saturday's victory, particularly when
Anthony May scored a fourth-quarter touchdown. Salisbury pointed to Patterson's reaction as one of his favorite moments of the afternoon.
"The happiest I saw him all day was when Anthony scored," Salisbury said of Patterson. "Hunter chased him down to be happy for him after having whatever he had."
Hunter Patterson had plenty to celebrate himself, turning in one of the most productive performances in program history. He finished with 33 carries for 267 yards and five touchdowns. His five rushing touchdowns tied the West Liberty single-game record, while his 267 yards pushed his season total to 2,068 — making him the first Hilltopper to surpass 2,000 rushing yards in a season.
Patterson's performance also added to an already record-setting career. He finished the season with 182 points, 25 rushing touchdowns and 30 total touchdowns. His 2026 totals brought his career marks to 51 rushing touchdowns, 63 total touchdowns and 380 points, establishing new West Liberty career records in all three categories. His career all-purpose yardage total reached 5,367, moving past the previous program record of 5,258.
Patterson also established new single-season program records for rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and scoring. His 1,859 all-purpose yards were just short of the single-season record of 2,230.
Salisbury was quick to credit his coaching staff for helping establish the foundation for the team's success in his first season.
"I think I hired the right staff," Salisbury said. "I think if I had to look back on anything, I think I hit 100% on those guys. They sold the message and they coached it and they held kids accountable. I just can't be more grateful for those guys."
West Liberty set the tone early, taking advantage of a Wheeling fumble forced by Dominic Maultsby and recovered by
Chris Thompson. The Hilltoppers turned the takeaway into a touchdown when quarterback Cole Meisman connected with
Levi Gullion for a 4-yard score.
Patterson added an 8-yard touchdown run to cap a 10-play, 75-yard drive, giving West Liberty a 14-0 lead. The Hilltoppers continued to build their advantage with touchdown runs of 12 and 16 yards by Patterson, the latter following a 61-yard completion from Meisman to
Jaylin Harcum.
Wheeling cut into the lead with a touchdown following a muffed punt recovered in the end zone, but West Liberty answered with a quick scoring drive just before halftime. The Hilltoppers covered 84 yards in 35 seconds, highlighted by a 44-yard run from Patterson and a 30-yard run by Meisman before the quarterback scored on a 5-yard keeper with 13 seconds remaining. West Liberty carried a 35-14 advantage into the break.
Patterson continued to add to his record-setting day in the third quarter, scoring on runs of 15 and 1 yard to extend the Hilltoppers' lead to 49-14. Wheeling added a touchdown later in the quarter, but West Liberty maintained control.
The Hilltopper defense came up with another key stop in the fourth quarter, turning away Wheeling on fourth down at the West Liberty 9-yard line. The offense responded with an 11-play, 91-yard drive, capped by May's 22-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-3 with 6:33 remaining.
West Liberty's defense stopped another fourth-down attempt to close out the 56-21 victory.
Salisbury felt the performance was a fitting way for his team to finish the regular season.
"That had to be our closest we've come to playing a 60-minute game," Salisbury said. "Eleven months and all that work, and the guys to play their best game here and to be able to raise a trophy, yeah, that's pretty satisfying."
Meisman completed 14 of 16 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown without an interception. He also rushed for 39 yards and a score. Harcum finished with three receptions for 90 yards.
Maultsby led the defensive effort with seven tackles, one sack and a forced fumble. The Hilltoppers finished with three sacks and six pass breakups.
Salisbury also emphasized that the team's growth extended beyond the football field, crediting his staff and players for embracing the opportunity to build something together.
"Our staff is, you know, we're teachers in our own way," Salisbury said. "It's our job to grow these guys as young men as well as football players."
After 11 months of work, the Hilltoppers finished with a share of the MEC championship and a historic milestone for the program.
West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students' aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Learn more at
westliberty.edu.
