Escambia Academy is facing its most important game of the season this week as the Cougars face South Choctaw for homecoming and the right to play at home during the postseason.

Head football coach Hugh Fountain said his team is in a good position to have the home berth because Lowndes Academy already has two losses, along with Patrician and Clarke Prep. EA and SC are sitting at the top at 3-0 in AISA Class 2A, Region 2.

“They’re a very explosive offensive team,” Fountain said. “They’re on a five-game winning streak, I believe.”

Fountain said the keys to the game are to not give up big plays, and no turnovers.

“They’re big-play oriented and they throw and run for big plays,” he said. “Offensively, we’ve got to be proficient in moving the ball. We’ve got to take advantage of field position when we have it.”

When asked if practice is ramped up a bit for a big game like this week, Fountain said in a way it has been.

“You could tell today (Monday) it was more of a bigger game than we’ve played in the last couple weeks,” he said.

Fountain said this week’s game is a must win.

“We’ve got to be able to come out and play with a certain intensity level,” he said.