WEST LIBERTY - When Roger Waialae took over the West Liberty program he was told he had five years to turn things around.

''This is Year 5, so hopefully I have a job next year,'' he joked after the Hilltoppers rolled to a 64-42 victory against Concord on Saturday at Russek Field.

Don't think there's much of an issue there, Coach.

The Hilltoppers won their school-record 10th game of the season and did so in much the same way they racked up their other nine with a high-powered offense that finished with a West Virginia conference record in terms of points per game scored.

But the really neat thing about this team, which won the conference title for the first time since 1971 and likely clinched a first-round bye in the Division II playoffs, is the personnel it is using. More specifically, there are a number of local players providing large contributions to what has been one of the most-dominant teams in America.

''I think to be successful you have to recruit from within (on) out,'' Waialae said.

''It's hard sometimes for the better players from the valley to come here because you know they're getting some walk-on Division-I (offers).

''We tell them if you've got to go see what it's like, you've always got a home here.''

The obvious example is quarterback Zach Amedro, who Saturday surpassed 4,000 yards and 40 touchdown passes on the season - just the fourth player to do so in Division II history. Amedro attended Appalachian State before transferring back home three years ago.

Bellaire grad Jayson Keyser has a similar story, having started his college career at Akron.

''We've got a few here that went to other places to play and came back here, and it's worked out well for them,'' Waialae said. ''We're excited about the football that they play in the valley.

''We think it's great football and we want to get those kids here.''

They've been doing a great job in doing so recently.

Ryan Mirich (Martins Ferry) and Isaac Omaits (Buckeye Local) are standouts along the defensive line; Mike Buffo (Weir) is a special-teams demon who also sees time at linebacker; Willie Walker (Harrison Central) is one-fourth of what is arguably the best collection of receivers in the country; and Jimmy Burress (Wheeling Park) sees extended time at running back.

''I was glad to come back home,'' Amedro said. ''We do have a bunch of local kids on the team, which makes it good. I think that helps bring out more fans, too.''

And there may be an even bigger impact, that coming in future recruiting. What was recently referred to as ''High School on the Hill'' is suddenly gaining more attention on the national level by the week.

''We've made so many improvements with the field and getting a new locker room next year,'' Amedro pointed out. ''The talent we have, I think it's a big factor in bringing in a lot of recruits.''

Shawn Rine can be reached via e-mail at Rine@theintelligencer.net