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Isaac "Spike" Sowells Jr. is a standout offensive lineman for Male, and his father, Isaac Sowells Sr., is his position coach

By Dyuce Woodson 

Oct. 25, 2023—In the Sowells household, football and academics are taken seriously. Louisville Male High School offensive line coach Isaac Sowells Sr. preaches the importance of academics to his son, stand-out Isaac "Spike" Sowells Jr. 

"I always tell him, no books no looks," Sowells Sr. said. "So for him to have these opportunities, look at his transcripts. Not only can he play football, but he's also very smart." 

Junior Sowells Jr. has more than a dozen offers to play Division I college football. He's following in the footsteps of his father, who also played football at a high level. Sowells Sr. graduated from Doss High School, where his number is retired, then was a standout offensive lineman for the Indiana University Hoosiers and went on to get drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. 

"I think his potential is unlimited," Sowells Sr. said. "Spike is way more aggressive than I was at his age." 

Sowells Jr. says he's looking forward to improving and making his football career last as long as possible. 

"It's really special. I'd say it's kind of like a boost of confidence, like, he played in the NFL," Sowells Jr. said. "That really boosts my morale sometimes, thinking about it, where he thinks that highly of me."