In the Abilene High defense, few players play more important or diverse roles than the outside linebackers.

Those who fill this hybrid position in the Eagles’ 3-4 scheme may find themselves rushing the passer like a defensive end on one play, setting the edge on an outside run the next and dropping into pass coverage the play after that.

With so many responsibilities, those players must be strong enough to shed blocks, fast enough to run down ball-carriers and intelligent enough to know their duties on every play. Fortunately for the Eagles and unfortunately for their opponents, AHS’ current outside backers — seniors Kenneth Johnson and Zak Davila — are all of those things and up to any task asked of them.