Escambia Academy head football coach Hugh Fountain said this week’s region contest against Hooper Academy is a big one.

The Cougars will kickoff against HA tomorrow night on the road in the AISA Class 2A, Region 2 match up.

Fountain said the game being held on Thursday can throw a kink or two on the team’s game plan.

“It’s always a little different because it’s one less day to prepare for in the week,” he said. “It’s a huge game for us because it’s in our region. We’ve got to win this game, and the next two games will determine the seeding in the playoffs.”

EA closes out its home schedule against South Choctaw on Oct. 12, and Lowndes Academy on Oct. 19, both region games.

“If you win one of them, then you’ll be probably at home one game, and if you win both, you’re at home both games,” Fountain said.

Fountain said Hooper has a big defensive line, throws the ball well and the boys will have to make sure they’re in the right spots.

This week’s game comes less than a week after Bessemer Academy beat EA 31-7 in a regular-season contest.

Fountain said the BA loss was the third big test the Cougars faced so far this season, including the loss against Tuscaloosa Academy and the win last week at Jay, Fla.

In the loss to BA, the Cougars only racked up 72 rushing yards.

“We did the same thing against Tuscaloosa Academy,” Fountain said. “If we don’t run the ball better in big games, then we won’t do well.”

Kick off tomorrow night is at 7.