The Escambia Academy Cougars’ football team is battling the searing August heat during the first full week of two-a-days.

“We’re just trying to go over basic fundamentals,” said second-year coach Hugh Fountain. “We’re getting them acclimated to the heat.”

That’s why the team took water breaks during passing, blocking and tackling drills on the practice field Monday afternoon in Canoe.
The Cougars have two weeks before they take the field in competition in a jamboree on Saturday, Aug. 24.

“We have a lot of work to do,” Fountain said. “We have a long way to go.”

One of the squad’s weaknesses, Fountain said, is having the relatively young team learn their individual assignments, while one of the strengths is the 47-man roster.

“We’ve got a good-sized squad,” Fountain said.

He said the number of players will lead to stronger competition within positions and will make the players better.

“When you have more people you have more competition,” he said.

The Cougars’ regular season begins at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30 in Greenville against Fort Dale Academy. EA then hosts Hooper Academy on Sept. 6 and travels to Monroeville to take on Monroe Academy on Sept. 13.

The Cougars will take on Sparta Academy at home on Sept. 20 and hosts Morgan Academy the next week, Sept. 27.

EA will then travel to Pike Liberal Arts on Oct. 4 before celebrating homecoming against South Choctaw on Oct. 11.

Homecoming will be followed by two road contests against Clarke Prep on Oct. 18 and Southern on Oct. 25. The Cougars play their final game at home on Nov. 1 against Macon East.