A New Lease on Life: Amite’s Zephaniah Powell embraces optimism after health scare

by: William Weathers // GeauxPreps.com Contributor

Amite football coach Zephaniah Powell has become an advocate for a healthier lifestyle. 

It took a near-death experience to come to such a realization. 

The 46-year-old Powell wasn’t immune to the long, grinding hours that consume football coaches in what’s evolved into an almost year-long task of preparing and coaching teams to win in the fall.  

Powell said he “flatlined” three times during a harrowing episode in which he was rushed to a Hammond-area hospital in August of 2022. Each time he was resuscitated, eventually requiring a pacemaker following a diagnosis of transient ischemic attack (TIA) or ‘ministroke’ temporarily sidelined him.

“I don’t care if you’re black, white, old or young,” Powell said emphatically. “Going through what I went through, you have to get yourself checked out. I left this earth three times. I saw everything happening to me … it was like an out-of-body experience. I could hear and see the doctors and nurses putting the shock pads on me to bring me back.” 

“Coaches believe they’re ironmen, and sometimes you have to realize there’s nothing wrong with going to the doctor two to three times a year to make sure you’re good,” Powell said. “I have more of an appreciation to go see doctors after seeing the faces of my wife and son. I don’t take things for granted anymore.”

Powell returned to the sideline in ’22, guiding Amite to a Class 3A state semifinal non-select finish. The Warriors followed a year ago, once again with Powell at the helm, with a 7-5 record and advanced to the state quarterfinals against Jena. 

Powell embarks on his 10th season at Amite and 16th overall, a product of his improved lifestyle choices. He’s dropped 20 pounds since his TIA, a result of improved eating habits, an increase in his weekly activities to include twice-a-week walking and some weightlifting, and more importantly – scheduled every-other month appointments to visit his doctor and cardiologist. 

Amite hosts John F. Kennedy in its fall scrimmage on Aug. 22 and will host Southern Lab in their four-way jamboree on Aug. 29 with Kentwood and JFK playing in the other game.

“My love for the game hasn’t died,” said Powell, who has a target weight of 200-205 this season after a high of 240 two years ago. “It’s actually stronger than ever. I’m good to go and looking forward to the season.”

With no family history of hypertension, Powell looked inward to take the steps necessary to remain a husband, father, and coach. 

He understood his past misgivings that can be associated with the time-intensive career of coaching football. That began with a better approach to eating “more off the land”, more exercise, and allowing the medical professionals in his life to do their jobs.

“All coaches get caught up in working so much, a lot of times we’re just grabbing stuff to eat,” Powell said. “I’ve made a conscientious effort, along with my wife and family. All of our coaches started eating better. We try to walk at least twice a week. We want to be around not only for our kids playing football but our kids we’re raising at home.”

This year’s Amite team has Powell plenty energized about its prospects. 

The Warriors have been one of the state’s more consistent programs under Powell with a pair of state championships in 2018 and ’21, a state runner-up finish, four trips to the state semifinals, and two state quarterfinal appearances. 

Amite graduated a talented senior class from a trip to the Division III state semifinals and finished with a 7-5 record with three of those losses by a touchdown last season.

“We were young last year,” Powell said. “We had a new quarterback (Jeremy Franklin) who took his bumps and bruises which a lot of time helps. As the season progressed, he got better. We’re excited about having him back. We played two freshmen (Jaylen Hayward, and Vincent Wilson) in the offensive line, we returned one receiver and had to replace the entire defensive line and some in the secondary as well. It was a challenge, but to make it to quarters and lose three games by a touchdown, is not only a testament to our team but to our coaches for getting them ready to the best of their ability.”

Photo Courtesy: GeauxPreps | MaxPreps Photographer Michael Odendahl

Franklin, a senior, is back to lead Amite’s offense and with a trio of receivers – seniors Brandon Coleman, Jack Johnson, and sophomore Braylen Taylor – has an array of veteran targets to choose from. Senior Malcolm Patrick returns at running back and with the 330-pound Hayward and 320-pound Wilson – a pair of future Division I prospects according to Powell – leading the way along with 310-pound center Cole Sharkey, the Warriors have the potential for a formidable offense.

Senior linebacker Earl Tillman, junior free safety/outside linebacker Cam Madison, and junior cornerback/athlete Frank Morgan provide the Warriors with difference makers in the back seven of the team’s defense.

“Football, at any level, is won in the trenches and that’s something we try to harp on with our kids,” said Powell, whose team will compete in the Division III select playoff bracket this year. “From a coaching staff, we’re trying to develop our trench play. In years past we’ve been blessed up front on both sides, and we feel these next couple of years, with some of the kids we have, that we can have some successful seasons.”

Powell was recently dealt a sobering reminder about how precious life can be. 

With time off the July 4th holiday, he attended the 49th Annual Jackson Family Reunion, getting the opportunity before the start of another football season to spend time with beloved family members such as his 88-year-old father, who passed along sage advice from annual doctor’s visits and wholesome eating habits.

It also brought Powell together with his oldest living aunt, Christine Williams, who had spent 46 years of her life as an educator in Mississippi. Two days after the gathering, the 93-year-old Williams passed away, an example of life’s frailty.  

“I advise coaches, whether they’re head coaches or assistants, death doesn’t matter who you’re connected to,” Powell said. “When it’s coming, it’s coming. Go get checked out. There’s nothing wrong with it.”