The Escambia Academy Cougar football team takes on the defending state champion this week in the first round of the Alabama Independent Schools’ Association playoffs, while defending Class 1A state champion Northview High School travels to take on the leaders in Class 1A.

EA coach Hugh Fountain said this year’s Tuscaloosa Academy team would be similar to the TA team that beat the Cougars in the first round of the playoffs last year.

“They’re the defending state champion and have returned their primary players,” Fountain said. “The good thing is we’ve returned a lot of our players, too.”

He said TA would be similar, but not identical, as last year’s team ran the ball primarily and this year’s team has a more balanced attack.

Fountain said the team would continue to work on good fundamental football, and would take this playoff opportunity one game at a time.

“We’re just going to approach it like it’s any other game,” Fountain said. “In the playoffs, if you win you keep playing and if you lose you turn your pads in. It’s a week-to-week thing.”

Northview travels to take on the Blountstown Tigers and hopes to recover from a heartbreaking loss to district foe Baker.

Wheatley admitted that losses, like the one Friday, can be tough to come back from, but he said he thinks his team will be ready for the challenge.

The 3-5 Chiefs have clinched a playoff spot and will travel to the winner of the Vernon-Sneads game in the first round.