Football ‘Cats to visit West Liberty Saturday

The Basics
The West Virginia Wesleyan football team is set to play at West Liberty on Saturday (Sept. 24). The game is set to kick off at 1 p.m. from West Family Stadium in West Liberty, W.Va.

• Quick Hits
• Last time out, the Bobcats were narrowly defeated by Concord 34-32 in WVWC’s home opener.
• Nathan Payne threw three touchdowns and 372 passing yards versus the Mountain Lions on Sept. 17. Payne ranks third in the Mountain East Conference in passing yards with 663.
• Standout wide receiver Devin Washington is at the top of the MEC with 124.0 receiving yards per game. Washington set a career-high 146 receiving yards last time out to go along with a score.
• The Bobcat defense forced five turnovers versus Concord.
• Sophomore defensive back Donovan Woods caused two turnovers versus Concord. Woods, from Charlotte, N.C., forced a fumble and picked the ball up for a touchdown in the opening drive of the game. Woods also tallied an interception in the fourth quarter to go along with two pass breakups. The Bobcat defender is one of eight MEC players with multiple interceptions in the 2022 season.
• Ely Ghameshlougy, a freshman from Woodbridge, Va., and Deontre Logan, a senior from Richmond, Va., lead the Bobcats with 25.0 total tackles.
• Jalen Fant leads the MEC in fumble recoveries (two).
• WVWC Head Coach Dwayne Martin leads the ‘Cats in his second season at the helm.

Scouting West Liberty
West Liberty opened the season with wins over Clarion and Alderson Broaddus. The ‘Toppers dropped a road match versus #17 Notre Dame College in week three.

Bakersfield, Calif. native Shon Stephens leads the WLU defensive unit. Stephens picked off four passes in the Hilltoppers’ matchup versus AB, setting a MEC single-game record. The junior defensive back was named D2 Football National Defensive Player of the Week for his performance versus the Battlers. Stephens has totaled seven interceptions and two pick-six’s in three games.

Offensively, Quincy Wimbish leads the WLU rushing attack, averaging 78 yards per game. Quarterbacks Rudy Garcia and Jamie Diven have split time. Garcia has completed 34 passes for three touchdowns, while Diven has thrown for 263 yards and one passing touchdown. Rashawn Harvey is the leading receiver for West Liberty. Harvey has racked up 137 receiving yards and one touchdown.

Roger Waialae is in his 18th season patrolling the sidelines for the Hilltoppers. Waialae’s 90 career wins are the highest mark out of all MEC head coaches.

Up Next
The Bobcats will compete in its homecoming game versus Wheeling on Saturday (Oct. 1). The game will start at noon from Ross Field.