Westlake Warriors

Last season's results: (1st in Marmonte, 12-1 overall) Westlake surprised a lot of people last year by beating Moorpark in the final regular-season game to win the league title. The Warriors did a fine job of capturing the close contests in 2006, going 3-0 in games decided by three points or less. Westlake lost 427 at home to eventual CIFSouthern Section Northern Division champion Canyon in the second round of the playoffs.

Notable returnees: Cooper Shockley, sr., RB (767 rushing yards, 9 TDs); Curtis Peterson, sr., WR (58 receptions, 748 yards, 6 TDs); Justin Lilley, jr., DB (60 tackles, 2 INTs); Kyle Oglesby, sr., DB (25 tackles); Jordan Mannisto, sr., K/P (13 FGs, 47 punts for 1,778 yards) Impact newcomer: Michael Lorenzo, soph., OL Who they play: Westlake should rename its team the Road Warriors this year, as six of its first seven games are away from Warrior Stadium. The team's toughest stretch of games may come in early October, when WHS travels to play games at Newbury Park (Oct. 5), Royal (Oct. 12) and Simi Valley (Oct. 19) in consecutive weeks. The Warriors' final three games will all be at home.

Overview: For the first time in three years, Ryan Campbell will not be the team's starting quarterback. Instead, head coach Jim Benkert will turn the offensive controls over to either left-handed senior Nick Owens or junior Ben Conlin.

The offensive line has some experience, with returning starters Spencer Christiansen, Tommy Stuart and Brian Ranieri all expected to provide leadership while opening up running lanes. Lorenzo, the sophomore, adds muscle and skill in the trenches.

Shockley, a second-team all-league running back, returns as the Warriors' feature ball carrier. He split carries with Byron Sells last season.

Defense may be the biggest question mark on this team, as the departures of standouts Chase Calderon and Tyrone Duncan have left a large void in the middle of the unit. Losing defensive coordinator Mike Leibin to Thousand Oaks doesn't help, either.

What the Warriors lack on defense, they'll make up for in special teams play. Benkert calls Mannisto, his senior punter and field goal kicker, an "ace in the hole." Last year Mannisto converted more than 90 percent of his field goal attempts, including two kicks of more than 50 yards.

In a nutshell: No matter who's on the field, Benkert just finds ways to win. Heading into Friday's non-league opener in Waipahu, Hawaii, Benkert has 149 career victories. Westlake was the only Marmonte League team to garner a preseason ranking by CalHiSports.com, coming in at No. 42 in the state. Players leave, but the Warrior mystique remains the same.