GLENDALE – People tend to classify their best efforts as "110 percent." At Moon Valley High School, senior Liarrys Cox embodies the definition of hard work ethic.

Over the course of his four years at Moon Valley, Cox has evolved himself into a devoted hard-working individual. Moon Valley football coach Seth Millican has been with Cox's for the past four years, both on the field and in the classroom.

“Liarrys is my guy. I feel like I’ve watched him grow up a little bit. I would do anything for that kid. If he got in trouble, I’d bail him out. If he needed a spot to stay, he could stay at my house. I genuinely love that kid,” Millican said.

Football has always been a key component in Cox’s life. Whether it’s the efforts he gives in practice or the relationships he has with his teammates, football is what gets him through the week.

“If it weren’t for football, I probably wouldn’t be at Moon Valley. It’s something that I really enjoy doing.” Cox said.

Senior defensive lineman Malik Clark said that Cox has always been a dedicated player.

“He always shows up on time. He’s out on the field before anyone else is,” Clark said.

Millican said that Cox is a completely new person in regards to his freshman year. 

“I’ve spent the last four years with this kid and he went from his freshman year being ‘one of those’ kids to getting his act together,” Millican said. “He’s made good grades each year and has given himself a chance to go to college and make a life for himself. All because he chose and worked toward the right path. Nobody did it for him; he figured it out himself.”

Cox has always been able to show his efforts when it comes to athletics.

“The thing that makes him stand out in my mind is that he’s not 240 pounds. He’s little. He’s a small wide receiver, and when our running back went down, he said, ‘Give me the ball coach, I’ll show you what I can do,’” Millican said.

Since practice is such a vital part of Cox’s day-to-day routine, his desire to improve is never ending.

“I always try to find small things to improve on. Whether it’s different ways of running the ball, I try to get faster and faster every day,” Cox said.

Clark said that he has always been impressed with Cox’s ability to perform.

“He is really fast. I think there was a couple times during practice where I was on defense and he was on offense and I’ll get ready to tackle him and he just teleports out of nowhere,” Clark said.

There has never been a moment where Cox has given less than 110 percent. 

“When he runs the ball, he runs like it’s the last play of the game or like it’s the last play of his life,” Millican said. “He will run through a brick wall for his coach. When he has the ball, it’s that will and that force inside of him that pushes him and he has it more than other kids do.”

Alongside his determination on the field, Cox always keeps his family at the forefront of his mind.

“My mom is the most important person to me. My dad was never around so she had to play both roles,” Cox said.

Cox said that his main goal is to get a college degree and to become a police officer. He wants to make a life for himself that not only benefits him, but his family as well.

“He’s the most honest kid in all things he does. Give him the football he will honestly do his best,” Millican said. “He will tell you, good or bad, how he thinks you’re doing or what he thinks you can do better. He’s just a genuine, honest kid that isn’t sarcastic. He’s real.”