Escambia Academy will play again in the Southeastern Commission of Independent Schools’ second Kickoff Classic on Sat., Aug. 12, at Montgomery’s Cramton Bowl.

This year’s kick off expanded to 12 teams compared to last year’s eight.

The Cougars will play First Baptist School at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 12. FBS won its state championship last season in South Carolina. EA finished runner up in AISA Class 2A race.

Last year, EA beat the Charleston, S.C. school 35-12.

Cougars head football coach Hugh Fountain won his 200th game last season (201-121) and guided EA to the championship game, where they lost to Autauga. The Cougars were 8-5 in 2016, losing twice to out of state opponents, twice to Autauga and once to Bessemer.

Louie Turner, who had 96 yards and three touchdowns against First Baptist, and multi-purpose star Fred Flavors, return for the Cougars.

FBS will be seeking its first win in the Kickoff Classic after losing to Escambia last season.

Johnny Waters’ Hurricanes are competing in SCISA Class AAA Region III after winning the AA championship in 2016. Waters posted no wins in 2014, four in 2015 and went 10-2 a year ago as junior tailback Michel Dukes rushed for 2,239 yards and 38 touchdowns, giving him 52 rushing touchdowns entering his junior year.