By By Chandler Myers
A tumultuous 2008 season closes out this Friday for the Escambia Academy Cougars as they host the Bessemer Academy Rebels in Canoe.
The Cougars (0-10, 0-6) have faced the toughest schedule in AISA where they have played two teams that have held the No. 1 ranking and another this week who held the top spot for the first few weeks of the season.
Cougars head coach Heath Gibson said Bessemer Academy is a well-coached team that plays aggressive football.
The Rebels (7-2) started the season ranked No. 1 in AISA after winning the last three 3A state titles but lost their ranking after falling to Monroe Academy. Monroe defeated the Cougars last week 37-6.
Last week’s game against Monroe proved to be one of the better performances by the Cougars this year. They held the Volunteers to a scoreless first quarter and thirteen points the entire first half. This type of effort gives hope to the Cougars, according to Gibson.
Gibson said his teams spirits were boosted by the way they played against Bessemer. He added he wants the attitude to follow into their final game.
The first task the Cougars will be assigned is to stop the high-powered offense that the Rebels have.
Gibson said that the Cougars are going to try and set their opponents back with the different sets they run.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Cougars are going to keep the ball on the ground, according to Gibson.
Gibson said he plans to keep attacking from the Cougars normal offense and try to manage the clock to their advantage.
The main concern the Cougars had coming into the season was staying injury free. Not having much depth created that concern, but the Cougars have been able to stay healthy.
Gibson said some players were banged up after last week’s game, but everyone should be ready to play against Bessemer.
Kickoff is Friday night at 7 p.m. in Canoe.