WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. – A new era of West Liberty University football begins Thursday night when the Hilltoppers welcome Walsh University to West Family Stadium for a 7 p.m. season-opening matchup.

Thursday's game will mark the head coaching debut of Chad Salisbury, who takes the reins as the 14th head coach in West Liberty football history after spending the past 17 years at California (Pa.), including nine seasons as offensive coordinator and eight as quarterbacks coach.

The Hilltoppers enter the opener with plenty of anticipation surrounding the program after an eight-month buildup under Salisbury and his coaching staff. "I think one thing I want to do here is never be satisfied, but wow, these kids have done a lot of hard work and I'm very proud of the work they've done," Salisbury said. "They've gotten better, they've gotten smarter and, more importantly, they're playing together."
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That sense of togetherness has been one of the biggest points of emphasis for Salisbury throughout preseason camp. The first-year head coach said he has been particularly pleased with the way his players have continued to develop both individually and collectively.

Now, he said, they have earned the opportunity to see that work tested under the lights. "These kids, they've really earned the right over the last eight months to try to perform in front of a crowd and go against another team and see what they can do together," Salisbury said.

The Hilltoppers will face a Walsh team that returns a significant portion of its roster from a 7-4 season in 2025. The Cavaliers opened last season with a 38-10 victory over West Liberty and went on to win seven of their final 10 games.

Walsh brings back several key contributors, including running back Jake Gill, who rushed for 664 yards and five touchdowns last season, as well as receivers William Butler, Austin Knowles and Trey Martin. Quarterback Hayden Wickard completed 42 of 81 passes for 647 yards and eight touchdowns in limited action during the 2025 campaign. Salisbury expects the Cavaliers to provide an immediate test for his young Hilltoppers.
"They are a tough, hard-nosed team," Salisbury said. "You see it all over their film offensively, defensively and in the kick game."

The West Liberty coach also emphasized that Walsh is not a team that will make things easy for the Hilltoppers. "Walsh is a team that is not going to give you the game," Salisbury said. "You're going to have to play. You're going to have to execute. You're going to have to tackle."

West Liberty will counter with a roster that features a blend of returning veterans, newcomers and several transfers expected to make an immediate impact. Among the Hilltoppers' returning standouts is senior running back Hunter Patterson, the 2025 Mountain East Conference Offensive Player of the Year. Patterson rushed for 1,219 yards and 17 touchdowns last season while scoring 120 points, and he added 418 receiving yards and three touchdown receptions.

Patterson closed the 2025 campaign with a record-tying performance against Wheeling, rushing for five touchdowns and scoring six total touchdowns. His 17 rushing touchdowns rank third in program history for a single season, while his 1,219 rushing yards are fifth all-time. Quarterback Kohl Meisman also returns after a record-setting finish to the 2025 season. Meisman threw for 502 yards and four touchdowns in the season finale against Wheeling, becoming just the second quarterback in program history to surpass 500 passing yards in a game. The Hilltoppers also added senior running back Khalon Simmons, who rushed for 612 yards and 13 touchdowns last season at Clarion.

West Liberty was picked seventh in the 2026 MEC preseason poll, tied with Concord with 22 points.  Thursday's matchup will be the 18th meeting between West Liberty and Walsh. The Cavs hold a 10-7 edge in the all-time series, and have won the last four meetings, including last year's 38-10 decision in North Canton.

The game also opens a season of renewed excitement around Hilltop football. Salisbury said the anticipation has been building throughout the community, but for him, the focus remains squarely on the players who have put in the work since the coaching transition began.

"When we first got here, I was here a month before I ever met a player, and after getting to know them for eight months, I'm just excited to watch them go perform," Salisbury said. "They've earned that right."

The Hilltoppers and Cavaliers kick off at 7 p.m. Thursday at West Family Stadium. The opener will also serve as First Responders/Military Appreciation Night at West Liberty.




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.