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Escambia Academy is aiming to get off to a fast start this Friday as the Cougars host Patrician Academy in Canoe.

The Cougars are coming off a 38-21 victory over Jay, Fla., a game where they dominated the first half of play. EA led 28-7 late in the first half, thanks to a 22-yard scoring rush from Daughtry McGhee and a 73-yard kick off return from Shannon Wheat in the first quarter; a 4-yard touchdown rush from Jabo Davis in the second; and a 55-yard scamper from quarterback Landon Sims with 6:39 left until the break.

Patrician defeated Lowndes Academy 26-7, according to the Alabama High School Football Historical Society’s website. Last season, EA won 35-7 against PA.

Cougars head football coach Hugh Fountain said the Saints have a good running back and back up like his team.

“They’re going to try and keep the score down, and keep the ball,” Fountain said. “They’re a fundamentally sound team.”

He said that getting off to a fast start will be important as PA likes to keep teams off the field, and slow the game down.

Fountain said last week, his focus was on keeping the ball.

“We tried to stay away from penalties and plays that gave us penalties,” he said. “We’re going to try and do that this week.”

At present, EA sits at 2-2 on the season.

Fountain said he believes the team is progressing well.

“I think we’re getting better up front,” he said. “I think I’ve seen the progress from game to game. I think the kicking game has been solid.”

He added that special teams play receiving the ball has improved.

Kick off Friday night is at 7 p.m. for EA’s second home game of the season.  The new home side is on the same side as the field house, which is the opposite side where the concession stand sits.