The Escambia Academy Cougars’ football team will play a preseason game Saturday, but it will still count toward their win-loss record for the regular season.

The Cougars meet Glenwood Academy on Saturday at 4 p.m. at Faulkner University in Montgomery in what is known as “the 11th game.” Both Alabama Independent Schools’ Association teams received votes in the Alabama Sports Writers’ Association Poll.

It’s stiff competition for the Cougars right out of the gate after a scrimmage last Friday during Cougar night.

“My expectations are to see how hard we play against AISA competition,” said second-year coach Hugh Fountain.

Fountain, whose team battles AISA-ranked Fort Dale Academy, Hooper Academy and Monroe Academy in succession to start the regular season, said he doesn’t really know what to expect from Glenwood because he hasn’t seen them play this year. He noted they had several outstanding players last year, but has remained focused on his team.

“You have to be worried about yourself in an ‘11th game,’” Fountain said.

Chief among those concerns for Fountain is that his players are where they need to be, during plays.

“We need to strive for perfection on both sides of the ball,” he said. “We need to focus on not turning the ball over.”

Another concern for Fountain and the Cougars will be the kicking game. Glenwood returns experienced kickers.

Fountain said that despite this preseason game counting, he would treat this week of practice like any other.
“It’ll just be a day longer,” he said.