WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — If West Liberty head coach Chad Salisbury is looking for a place to lean on as the Hilltoppers prepare for the 2026 football season, the offensive line may be the logical starting point.

The group returns a veteran core led by center Mason Fraley, who has played in all 11 games during each of the past two seasons and has appeared in 31 games over the past three years. Riley Plotner also played in all 11 games a year ago while Kemper Longwell saw action in 10 games last season.

"We're probably the most experienced group that we have," Salisbury said during preseason camp. "Probably led by Mason Fraley, who started a lot of games at center. Riley Plotner's played a lot of football for us. Dennis Pike was on the team last year. He's had a nice spring and a nice camp. Kemper Longwell has been around for a long time."

That experience gives the Hilltoppers a veteran foundation up front as the unit continues to take shape during camp. Mike VanMatre has also emerged as an important piece of the group. Salisbury described VanMatre as a "glue guy" who has put together one of his best camps after returning in the best shape of his career. "He's a kid who's just a glue guy who's also had a great camp," Salisbury said.

West Liberty has added to the group with freshman Ephy Kelley from Steubenville and transfers Dane Levi, who comes to the Hilltop from Millersville, and Theodore Gray, a transfer from Seton Hill. "It's a lot of competition there," Salisbury said. "Those are some of the names that have stood out as fighting for positions so far at camp." The competition is beginning to create separation throughout the two-deep, with Salisbury looking to develop a group of 10 or 11 offensive linemen capable of traveling and contributing on game day.

"We're starting to see it too deep where we're going to put 10 to 11 guys would be your travel roster players," Salisbury said. "They're starting to separate themselves."
For Salisbury, however, the makeup of the offensive line goes beyond size, experience or technical ability.

In a modern offense where adaptability is essential, he is looking for offensive linemen who can be counted on when things aren't going according to plan. "You're just looking for guys that are going to be tough, hard-nosed kids," Salisbury said. "Guys that you can lean on when things aren't going great, that you know that they're always going to be there. They're always going to do the right things."

That physicality is already beginning to show. Salisbury believes the group can become even more physical as camp continues, but he likes the attitude he sees from the unit. "They play with an edge," Salisbury said. "They have a little something to them and I like that. I think we can work with that."

That edge could become particularly important as West Liberty continues to establish its offensive identity. Salisbury isn't looking for a line that fits into a rigid definition of a run-first or pass-first offense. Instead, he wants the Hilltoppers to take advantage of what their personnel does best and adjust to what opposing defenses give them. "I don't know what balance looks like," Salisbury said. "Balance is whatever the defense gives us."

That philosophy puts a premium on versatility and communication along the offensive front, while also allowing the Hilltoppers to build around the strengths of the group they have in 2026. "We have our certain schemes that we run and certain ways we want to do things," Salisbury said, "but you got to adjust, and this group is different than other groups, and they're good at certain things and we're going to try to use those things."

For Salisbury, his appreciation for the offensive line goes back to his playing days. Before eventually moving to quarterback, Salisbury played along the offensive line in high school, giving him an early understanding of the work and toughness required at the position. "All I know about O-line is that it's miserable," Salisbury joked. But Salisbury's lighthearted comment also reflects a genuine appreciation for the position and the players who handle the work in the trenches.

"My time as a quarterback and trying to make sure that group was the group I was the closest with as a player probably hopefully helps me as a coach with those guys," Salisbury said. "I appreciated them as a player and hopefully they see that I appreciate them as a coach."

With Fraley, Plotner, Pike, Longwell and VanMatre providing a veteran presence and Kelly, Levi and Gray pushing for opportunities, the Hilltoppers enter camp with a combination of experience and competition up front.
And Salisbury believes the pieces are beginning to come together.

"We're starting to see it," he said.



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.