Starting the year with six new starters on defense, Abilene High coach Mike Fullen knew there’d be a learning curve for that unit.
But with three of the five returners in his signature 3-4 scheme being senior linebackers, the coach also knew his defense was starting its building process on a strong foundation.
In inside linebackers Skyler Faimoa and Symmani Strahan and outside backer Levon Koonce, the Eagles have a trio of veteran playmakers with an abundance of varsity experience and a track record of production in the AHS scheme. Add in junior outside backer Jud Williamson, the son of defensive coordinator James Williamson, and you have one of the better linebacking corps in West Texas.