With all three starters back from last year, Abilene High’s defensive line depth chart may have a familiar look to it. But the performance of the players at the top has experienced a serious upgrade in 2018.

After being baptized by fire a year ago, senior ends J.D. Dugger and Griffin Cooke and junior nose guard Tygee Gambrell head a unit that is now among the team’s biggest strengths.

And the trio credits the experience gained during a tough 3-7 campaign last year for the leap they’ve made this fall.