By By Matthew Nascone
When the Escambia Academy football team travels to Jackson to take on the Eagles of Jackson Academy, they will be assured of one thing, the hardest stretch of their schedule is over.
The Cougars lost back-to-back games against Patrician and Southern in the last two weeks.
"I try to prepare them for what is coming mentally," EA head coach Heath Gibson said. "And I told them before the Patrician game that they would be facing the two hardest teams on our schedule in the next two weeks and they understood that."
With that in mind, Gibson said his guys are ready to come out and play another good game.
"We stood in there and played toe-to-toe with Southern for a quarter and a half," Gibson said. "I believe that gave our guys a lot of confidence that they can play with anybody. But it is all a growing experience."
The keys to victory, according to Gibson, for the Cougars will be how well they cannot make mental mistakes and limit the amount of turnovers they commit.
"They (Jackson) are 0-3 and they have played three really good teams," Gibson said. "And they have a really big offensive line they like to run behind, but we will hope to counteract that strength with the speed of our defense. We will see who wins the size vs. speed battle."
And on offense, the Cougars will do some things a little different than in previous games.
"We will have our quick hitting plays and we will try to open up the passing game this time."
EA JV 44 – Sparta JV 0
The Escambia Academy JV football team hosted the Sparta JV team Sept. 11 and defeated them 44-0 in a game that saw many Cougars score a touchdown.
Jon Dean opened the scoring on the opening play with a 65-yard touchdown run and the onslaught continued as the game went on.
"It was a big win for the Cougars," EA JV head coach Mitch Hughes said. "It was a great morale booster for our kids and they can see we are going in the right direction now. Our JV team has grown up over the last week and showed a lot of grit and determination."
Other Cougars reaching the end zone were Thomas Moore on a 35-yard interception return, Cameron McGhee on a five-yard rush, Marshall Burkette on a 25-yard rush and many more.
The JV Cougars traveled to Cottage Hill Sept. 5 and lost 7-0.
The JV Cougars next game is Sept. 18 at Sparta.