EA set to face Edgewood Academy in the AISA 2A semifinals

Getting the job done.

That’s what Escambia Academy is aiming to accomplish on Friday as the Cougars face Edgewood Academy in the AISA Class 2A state semifinals at Bachelor Field in Canoe.

EA (9-2) began its postseason run with a dominant 45-14 victory over Coosa Valley last week. Shannon Wheat and Jabo Davis scored two touchdowns each in the win.

Edgewood (8-3) defeated Clarke Prep 42-0 last week.

“It’s a big game for us,” EA head football coach Hugh Fountain said. “We want to make sure that we can get this game done. We got to make sure we have a good week of preparation. They’re a formidable team. They’re a team that we need to focus on.”

Edgewood is led by sophomore quarterback Alex Johnson, a first year starter. Johnson doesn’t throw the ball a lot, but is efficient in the air.

“He’s a good player,” Fountain said about Johnson. “He throws the ball well. Theyr’e a tough offensive team.”

Johnson was 8-of-10 for 175 yards and two touchdowns in the win against CPS.

In the back field is Kolby Potts, the Wildcats’ top running back. Potts rushed 89 yards against Clarke Prep. Tyler Abernathy, a linebacker and running back, led with 109 yards on five carries last week.

Kaleb Varner and Jackson Welch led Edgewood in receiving with 46 and 71 yards, respectively, against CP.

Fountain said the Cougars must play their style of football, the same style as has been played each week this season.

“For us, it’s always about who we are,” he said. “We’re trying to do what we do. We need to play football like we know how to play football.

“We need to believe in our own identity,” he said.

Kick off at Bachelor Field is at 7 p.m. this Friday.