Game week is finally here for the Escambia Academy Cougars, which will open their 2010 season Friday at home against their rivals, the Sparta Warriors.

The Cougars look to build on last season’s successful 7-6 season that saw them fall short of a berth in the AISA state championship game by opening up the season like they did in 2009 when they crushed the Warriors 38-0.

The Cougars have been working nonstop to perfect their execution on offense and defense in order to be prepared for their first game with their coach being pleased with their efforts.

Cougars head coach Heath Gibson said the Cougars will look to control the ball offensively, and make stops against the Warriors defensively.

“We have had a great week of practice so far,” Gibson said. “We are looking to control the run, which we hope will help us control the clock. We have a lot of strong, fast guys on offense this year that should help us find success. Our defense has looked really good on the practice field. They have really come together well in our new system, and they swarm the ball. I think things will be good on both sides of the ball.”

Offensively, the Cougars will come out looking much like they did last season looking to use their running game to be successful.

Gibson said his team will come out looking to use their speedy backs to move the ball down the field.

“We are going to come out in our Wing-T offense looking to pound the ball down the field,” Gibson said. “We have Jaylen Henry and Wesley Steadham as our wingbacks, so hopefully they will keep the ball moving.”

On the other side of the ball, the Cougars have put in place a new base defense looking to stop their opponents from running the ball well.

Gibson said he expects to see blitzing and intensity from his defense.

“Our 4-4 defense will be debuted against Sparta Friday,” Gibson said. “We need to go out and execute our assignments in order to be successful. We have a lot of blitz packages inovlved, and I think there will be a lot of intensity on that side of the ball.”

With their first game just two days away, the Cougars are looking forward to finally taking the field after practicing all summer.

Gibson said this is the best time of the season because you are getting the chance to finally compete.

“It’s great getting ready for the first game,” Gibson said. “We are getting back into the rhythm of things, and finally get to hit someone other than each other.”

The EA Cougars and Sparta Warriors play Friday at 7 p.m. at Bachelor Field in Canoe.