When Abilene High linebacker Bryce Neves looks back at his junior film, he’s struck by how slow he appears to play. But before one accepts that critique at face value, they should probably be aware of who it’s coming from.

Neves, who was a playmaker for an excellent Eagles defense last season, was playing at a perfectly acceptable speed and level. In fact, it was good enough to earn him a second-team all-district nod out of a strong Class 5A Division I league.

It just didn’t match the bullet train pace at which he’s reading, reacting and playing this year as a senior for the 9-2 Eagles.