The battle lines will be drawn in the trenches this week as Escambia Academy visits Jay, Fla. in a regular season contest on Friday.

Last season, the Cougars defeated Jay 49-23 in a well-fought game.

EA head football coach Hugh Fountain said the Royals throw a lot at teams.

“What it really comes down to is No. 34, their running back,” Fountain said. “He runs the ball a lot for them. They’re a running football team.”

Fountain said it’s going to be a war of attrition, for sure.

When asked how he thinks both teams match up, Fountain said it’s interesting because Jay is both out of the Cougars’ region and state.

“It’s always been the same game for us,” he said. “It’s not another Alabama private or independent school game for us. That, obviously, is exciting for us.”

On the game last season, Fountain said the game was tight at the start, but it got away quick.

“They were a really tough ball team,” he said. “This year, they’re going to be a little more healthy.”

The battle in the trenches starts with Jay’s defensive line putting pressure on the front seven, Fountain said.

“They really try to put pressure on your offensive linemen because they try to stop the run,” he said. “They’re going to try and do that to us.”

During last week’s 35-7 victory over Patrician Academy, Fountain said it was a good game for the program.

“We were very proud of the way we played last week as far as being focused,” he said. “We had never beaten Patrician at home, ever. That’s the first time we ever won a game in Butler.

“It’s big also because they are in our region and the defending 1A state champs, and you have us as the defending 2A state champs,” he said.

Kick off in Jay on Friday is at 7 p.m.