Game week is finally here for the Escambia Academy Cougars which will open their 2010 season Friday at home against their rivals, the Sparta Warriors.

The Cougars look to build on last season’s successful 7-6 season that saw them fall short of a berth in the AISA state championship game by opening up the season like they did in 2009 when they crushed the Warriors 38-0.

The Cougars have been working nonstop to perfect their execution on offense and defense in order to be prepared for their first game with their coach being pleased with their efforts.

Cougars head coach Heath Gibson said the Cougars will look to control the ball offensively, and make stops against the Warriors defensively.

“We have had a great week of practice so far,” Gibson said. “We are looking to control the run, which we hope will help us control the clock. We have a lot of strong, fast guys on offense this year that should help us find success. Our defense has looked really good on the practice field. They have really come together well in our new system, and they swarm the ball. I think things will be good on both sides of the ball.”

For more on this story, see Wednesday’s edition of The Atmore Advance.