With a 4-6 record, the Escambia Academy Cougars do not have the postseason to look forward to, but they can still end the season on a high note if they are able to upset the No.1-ranked team in the AISA this Friday night.

Sitting atop the rankings and at 9-0, the Monroe Academy Volunteers will look to finish the season undefeated when the Cougars head to Monroeville this week.

Cougars head coach Heath Gibson said this is the most complete team that his Cougars will face this season.

“Monroe is one of the most balanced teams that we will see this season,” Gibson said. “They do it well on both sides of the ball and go 13 players deep. Those 13 give them a chance to win every game.”

To be prepared for their rivalry game against the Volunteers, the Cougars will practice on keeping their heads up and cutting down on mistakes.

Gibson said confidence is one of the most important things for EA to have.

“We are working on getting better and playing with more confidence,” he said. “On offense, we need to work on cutting down on turnovers and finishing drives. Defensively, our secondary needs to improve on their coverage, but we also need to be ready to stop the run.”

Offensively, the Volunteers have several looks they could show the Cougars come game time Friday.

Gibson said he looks for them to spread it out and also use a power run.

“They show a spread and they can run out of the Tony Franklin system,” he said. “They also like to line up in an I-formation and use their run game. Monroe uses their offense to find what helps them control the tempo of the game.”

With the Cougars relying on a speedy running attack, they will need better protection from their offensive line.

Against that running game will be a powerful defense that sets up in a 4-3 formation.

Gibson said the defensive front of the Volunteers is extremely strong.

“Their defensive line and linebackers are good at controlling the line of scrimmage,” he said. “They run a 4-3 and really do a good job of stopping the run game.”

Earning a victory over the No. 1 team in AISA will not be easy for the Cougars.

Gibson said the keys to getting a victory are the basis of fundamental football.

“We cannot commit turnovers,” he said. “We must play mistake free football and create some mismatches on both sides of the football.”

The EA Cougars and Volunteers kick off Friday at 7 p.m. in Monroeville.