By By Chandler Myers
Congratulations go out to the Escambia Academy Cougars who won their first playoff game in the AISA last Friday against the Springwood Academy Wildcats.
This also marks the first postseason victory for head coach Heath Gibson who had three previous attemps before securing this win.
The win put a huge stamp on the season the Cougars have had after failing to win in 2008.
This season the Cougars were able to come out with a much deeper roster, which allowed them to put more athletes on the field and compete at a higher level.
This week, the Cougars will attempt to make history as they attempt to push their way into the AISA state championship game if they can beat their rivals, the Monroe Academy Volunteers.
This game is sure to be a battle from the opening kickoff as their is no love loss between the two schools and a berth in the state championship is on the line.
In their last meeting, the Cougars were defeated 36-21 by the Volunteers, but were held back by a sloppy first half.
All season, the Cougars have proven to be a second half team, which has allowed them to make some huge victories, and at the same time cost them a win or two along the way.
This team could possibly have ended the season 7-4 or 8-3 if they had come out in the first two quarters of the game firing on all cylinders.
It will take a lot of work and effort to pull off a win this week against the Volunteers, but it’s not impossible.
The Cougar backfield has proven they can move the ball up and down the field at will and put up more than 40 points.
If the offensive line can get a push off of the ball and open holes, then anyone of the backs the Cougars have could bust a big run to open up the game.
The defense needs to be on their toes throughout the game, if they want to have a chance.
In the last meeting between these schools, a couple of big plays in the first half cost the Cougars points and opportunities.
The right preparation should help overcome those mistakes and get EA ready for this huge game.
Good luck to the Cougars as they embark on a new frontier, and hopefully they will get a win and bring home a state championship after that.
Chandler Myers is sports editor of the Atmore Advance. He can be reached at 368-2123 or by e-mail at sports@atmoreadvance.com.