Trying to predict the big game...
Patrick Mahomes against Tom Brady.
It’s the perceived heir against the perceived Greatest Of All Time (GOAT).
Super Bowl LV is upon us and the Kansas City Chiefs-Tampa Bay Buccaneers battle Sunday evening looms as a classic.
The quarterback showdown between Kansas City’s Mahomes and Tampa Bay’s Brady will be the main storyline to watch, but there will be others.
As of Monday, the betting line sat at -3 for Kansas City, as it dropped from -3.5. Most prognosticators foresee it as a tight game.
Here are some fearless forecasts from Bethlehem, Catasauqua, Northampton and Whitehall coaches about the game:
Eric Snyder, Catasauqua boys’ basketball: “I am going with the upset. Tom Brady and the Bucs win 24-23. Brady made the difference for the Bucs. One guy changed their entire mindset. He willed them to win.”
Coy Stampone, Northampton boys basketball: Kansas City, 31-27. Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Tyreek Hill will be difficult to stop. The Chiefs have the fastest and most explosive collection of weapons in the league.
Kyle Haas, Bethlehem Catholic football: Everyone thinks it’s Mahomes vs. Brady. I don’t. I think this game will come down to who plays better defense. Tampa has a better ranked defense, but KC has [Tyreek] Hill, the most electric player in the league. Toss in [Travis] Kelce, and the Bucs have their hands full. Brady and Mahomes will make their plays. Antonio Brown and Mike Evans pose issues for the KC defense. It’s going to be fun to watch - Kansas City, 38-28.
Jeff Jones, Whitehall boys basketball: Kansas City 31, Tampa Bay 27. Brady is the greatest of all time, but Mahomes is the best right now. KC has too many weapons on offense. It will be Super Bowl championship number two for Coach Reid.
Carrie Saul, Northampton field hockey: Bucs, 35-27. Tom Brady is just unbelievable, and he knows how to get the best from his teammates. It will be a real slugfest!
Derek Saltzgiver, Catasauqua girls’ soccer: Kansas City, 28-24. I think the Bucs will go ahead, 24-21 in the fourth, and Mahomes is going to drive them down the field and score to win the game. This will be the beginning of the Mahomes/Reid/Chiefs dynasty.
Mike Lelko, Whitehall cross country: The Chiefs’ defense needs to stop Brady from being productive and get some sacks. If Mahomes has anything close to the game he had in last year’s Super Bowl, the Chiefs will win this one, 31-27.
Joe Russo, Catasauqua wrestling: I think Chiefs, 38-35. Brady might be the GOAT, but it’s the changing of the guard. Mahomes is the next generation.
Dave Troxell, Catasauqua assistant athletic director: Kansas City 34, Tampa Bay 31. I am going with the Chiefs because of their speedy wide receivers and tight end. General manager Brett Veach is a 1996 Mount Carmel High School graduate, and my family is from Shamokin in the Coal Regions. Shamokin and Mount Carmel play for the Battle of the Coal Bucket every year.
Scott Pagel, sports editor: Kansas City, 34-31. Mahomes and the Chiefs look like they can’t be stopped, but Brady keeps the Bucs close ... close as in within the 3-3.5 point range.
Shaun Murray, NHS AD: Let’s go Chiefs, 27-24. Pat Mahomes struggles early but comes through late against a tough defense to win MVP. As a Niners fan, I know this story all too well. Looking forward to a great game.
Tom Moll, CHS AD: Chiefs 38, Bucs 28. If Mahomes is healthy, Chiefs will win. Win or lose, TB12 is still the best ever.
As for me, Jeff Moeller, I believe Brady and the Bucs are on a magical ride. Kansas City needed a fourth-down conversion to beat Cleveland, but they totally shut down and rolled past Buffalo. Tampa’s defense is overlooked, and they will have their hands full. Will go with my heart instead of my head...Tampa 28-24.
Good luck with your wagers and enjoy the game!