By By Chandler Myers
After securing their first victory of the season against the Sparta Warriors, the Escambia Academy Cougars have turned their attention to their next opponent, the defending AISA Class 1A state champion Patrician Saints.
The Saints (1-0, 0-0) look to move to 2-0 this week after defeating the Marengo Academy Longhorns 30-21 last Friday.
The Cougars (1-0, 0-0) are also hoping to improve to 2-0 after crushing Sparta 38-0 in Evergreen.
Gibson said this is where the Cougars are really going to have to show they are a strong football team.
Emotions will be high before the game as the Saints celebrate their “Champions Night’ with players of championship teams of years past return to Patrician to see the most recent champions receive their championship rings.
Gibson said that he hopes their celebration does not distract his players from what their mission will be.
Offensively, the Cougars will stick to what they know the best, the Wing-T.
Against Sparta, Escambia Academy racked up 302 yards of offense all on the ground running six plays out of the Wing-T.
Gibson said running what they know works will help them have a chance at controlling the game.
The Saints will also line up in a Wing-T, which will make the game interesting with both teams fighting back-and-forth for control.
On defense, the Cougars will look to exploit Patrician’s defense in the hope that they move away from things that work to something that doesn’t.
Gibson said stopping their offense is a tough task, but one that could be accomplished with the right level of intensity.
The Cougars and Saints play Friday night at Patrician Academy in Butler. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.