CANTON, Ohio - The Walsh Cavaliers football team engaged in a overtime battle with the West Liberty Hilltoppers on Saturday (Oct. 19) for Homecoming at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. 

The Hilltoppers defeated the Cavaliers 41-38 in just the 18th overtime game in program history. The Cavalier defense forced six turnovers in the game. 

West Liberty scored on their second drive of the game, taking a 7-0 lead less than five minutes into the contest. The Cavaliers answered with a six play, 89 yard drive that ended in a four-yard touchdown run by Deondre Cook on a sweep to the left side. The game was tied 7-7 with 7:14 left in the first period. 

The Hilltoppers were turned away at the goal line on their next drive as Myles Williams made a leaping interception at the two-yard line. Walsh could not capitalize as the game remained 7-7 after one quarter. 

West Liberty took a 10-7 lead on a 37-yard field goal with 11:26 left before halftime. 

Walsh had a quick response as the Cavaliers scored on a 77-yard touchdown pass from Nick Gassman to Koby Adu-Poku just 12 seconds later, jumping out in front 14-10. 

The Cavalier defense ended another Hilltopper drive near the goal line as Marlyn Hill forced a fumble at the 11-yard line. The Cavaliers drive was short-lived as a turnover gave the ball to the Hilltoppers. Two plays later, a 17-yard TD run put West Liberty on top 17-14 with five minutes left in the half. 

Another quick drive put Walsh in the endzone and started a 14-0 run by the home team in less than two minutes. Gassman capped a three play, 58 yard drive with a 38-yard touchdown pass to Aidan Tuttle in the left corner of the end zone. Three plays later, Zach Sturmi went 51 yards on a pick six and Walsh led 28-17 with 2:35 left in the first half. 

The Hilltoppers added a 23-yard field goal before halftime as the Cavaliers led 28-20 at the intermission. 

Both teams came up empty on the first drives of the second half but West Liberty turned a miscue into points. After a fumble on the West Liberty punt, the Hilltoppers scored on a seven-yard run as they cut the lead to 28-27 with seven minutes left in the third quarter. 

With less than a minute left in the third quarter, Antoine Holloway forced a fumble and Matt Amison recovered it to put the Cavalier offense near midfield. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Gassman completed his third touchdown of the day. He found Adu-Poku for a 31-yard touchdown pass as Walsh opened the lead to 35-28 with 14:52 left in regulation.

Three minutes later, West Liberty tied the game at 35 on a 20-yard touchdown pass and a two-point conversion. 

Williams made his second interception of the day and recovered a fumble forced by Phillip Keller in the fourth quarter. The game was locked at 35 at the end of regulation. 

For the first time in over four years, Walsh was involved in an overtime game. The Cavaliers offense took the field first and put up a 25-yard field goal from Chad Mirolo. The Hilltoppers won the game on a ten-yard touchdown pass on third-and-eight, 41-38. 

The Cavaliers totaled a season-high 334 yards of total offense in the game including a season-high 286 passing yards. Gassman completed 11 passes for a career-high 286 yards and three touchdowns. Adu-Poku made four catches for 127 yards and two scores. Cook had three catches for 85 yards and a rushing touchdown. 

Williams was tied for the team lead in tackles with 12 (seven solo and five assisted). He finished with two interceptions and a fumble recovery. Sal Sidebotham made 12 tackles while Stephen Baugh finished with 11 tackles. Morgan Trust made two sacks for a total of ten yards. 

Walsh will resume Great Midwest play next Saturday (Oct. 26) at Ohio Dominican at 12:00 PM. 

-WC-