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Four More Years: Pair of Creekview grads, best friends will be teammates once more
By Kieran Steckley, Staff Writer
Tyler Lewis and Yanko Kovachev might be the unlikeliest of friends.
One is a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints and the second oldest of eight children. The other is a Bulgarian immigrant who has lived in America for just 10 years.
Yet the two former Creekview offensive line standouts will be playing football together this fall at Southeastern Oklahoma State, marking their fifth season playing together.
A Big Beginning
Upon meeting Lewis and Kovachev, one of their similarities is remarkably clear.
Both are over six feet tall and weigh about 600 pounds combined. Size is something the two have always had in common.
Kovachev remembers first meeting Lewis at Furneaux Elementary School in Carrollton.
"I noticed right away that I wasn't the only fat kid (in school)," he said. "But I was still bigger than [Lewis]."
Despite their similar size, Lewis and Kovachev didn't get along too well when they first met. Kovachev was an immigrant from a faraway country. He didn't know anyone and was routinely made fun of for his accent, so he kept to himself.
"I didn't get the impression he wanted to be my friend," Lewis said.
Change of Scenery, Change of Heart
The two were supposed to go to the same middle school, but after sixth grade Lewis' mom thought he needed to change schools. Lewis spent his last two years of junior high at Blalack Middle School, away from Kovachev, who stayed at Long Middle School.
Those two years apart proved the best thing that could have happened for their friendship.
Lewis and Kovachev entered Creekview High in fall 2008 and were teammates on the football field for the first time.
"Once we reached Creekview, we realized we had more in common than we thought," Kovachev said.
Lewis cannot recall a particular moment when they put aside their differences, but noted it was a smooth transition.
"We saw each other so much (in football) and lived real close," he said. "It just sort of happened."
Two Anchors
Lewis and Kovachev experienced different degrees of on the field success in their first three years at Creekview. Kovachev not only made the varsity squad as a sophomore, he was the starting left guard. Lewis, meanwhile, played his way up the JV ranks and made varsity as a junior. That year, he was a backup and rotation starter at virtually every offensive line position; he even played some tight end.
"I was happy (for Kovachev)," Lewis said. "But at the same time, I wanted my turn to be a regular starter. I wanted to perform at his level."
By the time they were seniors, the coaches gave them the opportunity to do what they had wanted for years: start next to one another on the offensive line. Kovachev kept his left guard position he had held the past two seasons and Lewis earned the starting job at left tackle. Together, they protected the quarterback's blind side and created large running lanes.
"We had waited for this opportunity, so we weren't going to screw it up," Kovachev said. "We challenged each other to keep getting better."
Lewis has no doubt their strong bond attributed to their success.
"Trust is very important in football, especially on the offensive line," he said. "I knew he would take care of his job and he trusted me to do mine. That made us more successful."
Lewis earned first team all-district honors that season. He and Kovachev, a three-year starter, found themselves being recruited by several of the same schools. They wondered if it would be possible to carry their talents and strong friendship for four more years.
Into the Savage Storm
Picking a college is a critical decision, one that should not be made just for a friend.
Kovachev kept this in mind during the recruiting process, but knew if the right school offered them both a scholarship it was something they would have to consider.
"Yeah, we wanted to play together (in college)," he said. "But for a while it looked like it wouldn't happen."
Then the ironically acronymed SOS came calling.
First for Lewis, who decided the small college located just north on the Texas-Oklahoma border was the right fit for him.
"The coaches impressed me with what the football program and school could offer me," he said. "So I committed to play for them."
Kovachev committed late in the process. He was struggling to find an ideal school, but the more he looked into SOS, the more he desired to play there. He got a workout with the coaches and impressed them with his size and agility. Shortly afterward, Kovachev had a school.
"It was a relief to finally have a school to play for," he said. "I'm excited for these upcoming years."
Lewis and Kovachev will be together playing for the Savage Storm this fall, starting another chapter in their friendship that is sure to last long after they graduate.
"We've have had our share of highs and lows," Lewis said, "but I wouldn't change a thing."
More ties
Lewis and Kovachev aren't the only players with local connections on the Storm roster. Also playing for Southeastern is fellow Creekview alum Bobby Kennedy (cornerback), as well as Hebron products Matthew Leatherwood (cornerback) and Devan Drake (fullback), Newman Smith's Zach Smith (linebacker) and The Colony's Josh Morrison (defensive tackle) and Josh Burkham (offensive line).
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