Blake outlasts King for milestone sixth win

By Rick Cantor
Staff writer

TEMPLE TERRACE – If before the 2022 season, you were asked to predict some teams that could be 6-1 after the first seven games, it wouldn’t surprise that the Blake Yellow Jackets might not have been on your list.

Yet that is exactly where first-year head coach Rick Cowans and his Yellow Jackets find themselves after a hard-hitting, and perhaps closer than expected 15-7 victory to spoil senior night at King, avenging last year’s loss to the Lions.

The victory is a milestone for a program that has shown potential and flashes on occasion, but has not started 6-1 since reopening in 1997, and has had only one winning season (5-4 in 2016) in the past 18 years.

There always seems to be some good size and athleticism in black and yellow, but it has not always translated to wins.

So, what is the reason for the turnaround after a 1-9 2021?

According to Cowans, it comes down to one thing.

“Discipline. Discipline is the key. Discipline from the coaches to the players. We have a new administration that’s instilling discipline in our kids,” said Cowans. “We are trying to change the culture”.

The discipline the Cowans is preaching was apparent on the field, as the Yellow Jackets committed juts a handful of penalties all night. Gone are the days of holds, encroachments, and unnecessary personal fouls.

Also gone are the days when falling behind might have meant an automatic loss.

After a scoreless first half, it was the Lions who leapt out to the first lead, as freshman Davion Kindred slipped a screen pass to senior Kyle Stewart, who made a move and outraced the Blake defense for a 65-yard score.

But, Blake answered right back as senior leader Henry Kanu led a 79-yard drive, capped by a 28-yard touchdown strike to Javion Collins (four receptions, 67 yards) and also ran in the two-point conversion to give his team an 8-7 lead that the Yellow Jackets would not relinquish.

Although the season is far from over, the early success of the season has not come easy.

“It’s been a real struggle. My freshman year, we had a lot of injuries,” Kanu said. “We played alright, but not great, and then, we lost a ton of our players and coaches. Coach Rick (Cowans) was the only one that stayed with me for all four years.

“He wasn’t the head coach, but as soon as he became the head coach, you could see he really had that thing we were missing. He’s been able to lead us as a group and get us to the next level.”

Another reason the Yellow Jackets have gone to the next level is Deshawn Neal. The junior came into the King game averaging over 100 yards-per-game, but lost a fumble early and wasn’t finding much running room against a hungry King defense.

But Neal is a two-way standout for a reason, and his fourth quarter defensive strip of a King ball-carrier and return for a touchdown gave Blake some breathing room.

The battle wasn’t over as first-year King coach Dave Sevier’s Lions team fought hard until the end, eventually failing to convert a fourth down late in the final quarter to stay alive.

Cowans was sure to credit both his players and assistant coaches for tonight’s win – and the shift in the team’s culture – and gave a nod to one of the all-time greats.

“I turn everything over to my offensive Coordinator (younger brother) Xavier Cowans and Defensive Coordinator Leon Haynes. I trust them. You don’t have to do everything” said Cowans. “We take a little script out of (New England Patriots head coach) Bill Belichick’s book. Coaches (and) players, just do your job.”

Week 7 Final Scores

Bradenton Christian 0
Cambridge Christian 43

SRQ Out-of-Door 29
Bell Creek 16

IMG White 7
Berkeley Prep 44

Northside Christian 28
Seffner Christian 21

Armwood 14
Steinbrenner 22

Plant 31
Jefferson 6

Durant 24
Sickles 7

Lennard 5
Sumner 41

Middleton 12
Strawberry Crest 8

Clearwater Central Cath 23
Jesuit 21

Chamberlain 0
East Bay 72

Tampa Catholic 37
Winter Haven 0

Alonso 14
Riverview 41

Gaither 25
Bloomingdale 21

Spoto 47
Leto 8

Robinson 64
Freedom 19

Tampa Bay Tech 28
Hillsborough 0

Wharton 42
Newsome 21

Rockledge 20
Carrollwood Day 6