Logan Deri got a text from his younger brother, Peyton, on Tuesday, and the message hit home with regard to how he’s been able to carve out a strong career on the football field at West Liberty.

The text read: “There’s always going to be someone bigger, faster and stronger than you, but it’s the work you put in that separates you.”

Deri didn’t have a lot of offers his senior year at Norwin, but got one from West Liberty.

With his natural competitiveness and toughness combined with the will to study film and get better, Deri has proven West Liberty’s faith in him was more than warranted.

Deri has been a three-time All-Mountain East Conference selection as a safety for the Hilltoppers and is well on his way to fourth selection this season. He leads the team with 46 tackles, has 2 1/2 sacks, a pair of interceptions and forced fumbles and has blocked a kick.

He is 47 tackles away from finishing in the top five in West Liberty history.

Deri doesn’t let himself get caught up in the stats but is thankful for having a chance to play all four years and live a dream of being a college football player.

“Everyone goes in expecting to compete, but I couldn’t have imagined this kind of career,” Deri said. “Going into the college level, the only thing you can do is go out and compete. The coaches gave me an opportunity to make plays right away. I have to give a lot of thanks to them for allowing me to show them what I can do.”

Building the toughness Deri unleashes regularly Saturdays in the fall started back at his home in North Huntington growing up with two older brothers, Connor and Trey, and his younger brother, Peyton, with whom he shared the backfield at Norwin.

It was environment that fostered a competitive nature and is something he credits for his success.

“All three of my brothers played sports, and we pushed each other,” Deri said. “Growing up with three brothers, you couldn’t ask for more when it comes to wanting to compete with others. Taking that onto the football field helped me.”

Last Saturday, Deri had an interception late in the fourth quarter that forced overtime in a game West Liberty won 41-38 over Walsh.

He also had a career game against sixth-ranked Notre Dame (Ohio) with a career-high 15 tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and an interception in the end zone in a 43-24 loss.

Part of that success came from long hours in the film room, and the other part is Deri’s natural mean streak.

“I am a nasty guy on the field, but once I’m off the field and I’m not involved in football, I’m an outgoing and happy person,” Deri said. “It’s about finding that switch. You have to know when to turn it on and off. When I’m on the football field, I find it. To play defense, I think you have to have an edge to you.

“The biggest thing I’ve learned in my four years here is that film study goes a long way. Regardless of if they have a step on you, that extra film study is going to accelerate you and give you that separation.”

West Liberty was 4-3 entering Saturday’s game at Fairmount State. The Hilltoppers haven’t had a winning record in Deri’s first three years but have an opportunity to do that this year. With only a handful of games remaining in his college career, achieving a winning season is priority No. 1 for Deri, and he wants to leave the program in a good place for the future.

“I just want to end on a high note with the rest of our seniors and teammates, and the best way to do that is to win all four games and finish 8-3,” Deri said. “That would be incredible and something for West Liberty to carry out the next couple of years.”

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