From the beginning, his coach was onto Justin Lilley.

In 2006, when Lilley was just another freshman trying out for the track and field program, Jim Benkert spied something special.

"I liked how he competed," says Benkert, Westlake High's 19-year head football coach and the boys' track and field coach. "I liked how hard he worked. I liked how he listened to instructions and made himself better."

By the time Lilley showed up for football practice last fall, Benkert took the sophomore defensive back aside and made a prediction: "I told him if he continued to work hard and improve, he'd be in the starting lineup for the first game."

Lilley didn't disappoint.

As a rare 10th-grader to earn a starting assignment with the Warriors, Lilley was in the lineup for the season opener, played an integral role in a defense that helped deliver a 13-1 record and a Marmonte League championship and finished as a first-team all-league and All-Ventura County selection.

Now a junior — bigger, faster and stronger at 5-foot-10, 180 pounds — Lilley becomes one key for a Warriors squad intent on a notable encore. Westlake reached the semifinals in the CIF-SS Northern Division a year ago before losing to eventual champion Canyon.

"I'm pretty happy with what we did last season," said Lilley. "We won the league championship and did well in the playoffs. But it was hard to lose in the semifinals. It was tough for all of us.

"We'd like to take that next step and reach the championship game."

Oh yes, there's one more thing Benkert and the Warrior coaches love about Lilley.

As modest as a monk, he isn't about to grow complacent and ease off that blue-collar work ethic.

"I love playing football and it's all I ever wanted to do," said Lilley. "I know the only way to keep playing is to work as hard as I possibly can."

Lilley's intense attitude, in fact, has caused Westlake's coaches to rein him in during fall practices. Lilley suffered an injury to his right hip while competing in the hurdles in track and field and isn't yet 100 percent.

Benkert and staff have taken a cautious approach to getting him ready for the season.

Lilley acknowledges the adjustment to the varsity level a year ago came with some Everest-sized hurdles.

"It was pretty difficult," he said. "There's so much to learn. The players at this level or so good. What made it easier for me is that my teammates helped me to feel comfortable. They made me feel welcome and I could concentrate on doing my job."

Lilley plays the attack position in the Westlake defense, which translates to strong safety. What comes naturally is playing close to the line of scrimmage and blowing up opposing running backs.

At season's end in 2006, his ferocious hitting garnered team laurels with the Outstanding Hitter Award.

"That's what I like to do best," he says. "I like to deliver the big hit. It seems like it pumps up the whole team when I can do that."

Even on a defense loaded with seniors, Lilley settled in as an impact player a year ago. All he did was lead the team in tackles with 60 (including 41 solos) and top the Warriors at 6.7 tackles per game. He also had a pair of interceptions, and scored one touchdown on a blocked punt in the CIF-SS playoffs against San Luis Obispo.

A native of New Jersey, Lilley moved with his family to Southern California by the time he was 4 years old. He discovered football shortly thereafter, and now has dreams of playing in college.

First things first, of course.

Lilley said that Westlake takes no opponent lightly this season.

"I think they are all equally good," he said. "Everybody is a challenge. We have to be ready to play every week."