Who said anything about cowering? I'm just of the opinion that being smart always beats empty flailing of machismo.
Oh we don't have to be real smart, we just need to kill them in larger numbers.
I see you are from New York so perhaps I can tell you a story you can relate to. I moved to Queens, NY NY from Texas for Jr. High School. The locals thought it would be fun to pick on the new guy with the stupid accent. After I beat the hell out of two or three of them, most backed off. After I broke the next ones arm, the rest left me alone for all three years I went to PS 193.
You forgot to mention your smart plan.