EA’s offensive front takes pride in its job

From the start of the season, Escambia Academy’s offensive line has evolved from eight separate individuals into one unit.

The Cougars’ front line, which is comprised of seniors H.T. Fountain at center; Brad Quimby, Josh Fields and Chris Brown at tackle; Nolan White and Tristan Agerton at guard; Geo Little at tight end; and junior Trae Lee, also at tight end, have paved the way for the private schools’ offensive attack over the last nine games.

When one thinks of the Cougars’ run game, for example, junior tailback Kris Brown comes to mind.

Every offensive lineman said they don’t mind blocking and guarding for Brown.

“We’re just opening up holes for Kris Brown,” Fountain said. “If we know he plays good and he rushes for 200 yards, it looks pretty good on us, too.”

Fountain is correct in that Brown has averaged more than 200 yards per game.

Playing in the trenches each game is nothing new for the eight.

Since they were in the youth league, each has seen experience guarding, blocking and making holes for the skill players.

When asked why they love playing football, the front line said they like the competition, teamwork and camaraderie.

“It’s the best way to relieve stress,” Chris Brown said.

Fountain added that winning on Fridays is a big deal.

“Winning on Fridays is a lot better than a Tuesday basketball game,” Fountain said.

Fields said getting a win during football season means more because of the vast amount of hard work that’s put in during the week.

“In football season, you’ve got one game a week; one chance,” Fields said.

Escambia Academy is defending its AISA Class 3A state title this season, and it’s a lot harder this year because everybody wants to beat the Cougars, Fountain said.

“We beat every body last year,” he said. “They just want to return the favor. Everybody’s goal is to beat us.”

The offensive line and the Cougars have non-region opponent Glenwood this week. Additionally, EA is the No. 3 seed going into the state playoffs and will have to travel to face the winner of this week’s Tuscaloosa Academy-Lee Scott game in the first round.

Brown summed up how much the line has grown in two short sentences.

“As the season has progressed, we’ve started to learn how to work as a unit more,” he said. “As a unit, we’re starting to learn how to make the calls that we need to. We’re having better progress.”