Carroll County Times staff, along with local coaches and players, share their predictions for Sunday's Super Bowl LIII between the Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots.
Carroll County Times staff
Bob Blubaugh, news editor
Patriots, 24-21. Brady, Belichick & Co. win their sixth Lombardi Trophy in a relatively low-scoring game by controlling the clock with the ground game and short passing while Greg Zuerlein’s foot injury hampers the Rams.
Bird Brown, rec sports
Patriots, 35-27. LA takes a small lead in a quiet first half then falls to furious second half drives by the GOAT.
Wayne Carter, editor
Rams, 38-35. In some symmetry from the Patriots' first Super Bowl win over the (St. Louis) Rams, Goff, Gurley and McVay end the Patriots' run with a late comeback.
Pat Stoetzer, sports editor
Patriots, 28-20. James White has another huge Super Bowl, this time earning MVP honors (he should have won it in SB LI) with a pair of TDs and 150 yards of offense.
Megan Woodward, sports reporter
Rams, 34-31. I bet against the Pats last season and it worked, so I’m doing it again. I think the Rams will stun a lot of people on Sunday, just you watch.
Carroll football coaches
Larry Luthe, Liberty
Rams, 35-27.
Bernie Koontz, Manchester Valley
Patriots, 27-24. Time of possession and a late score in the second quarter could possibly be the difference in the end.
Mike Kraus, South Carroll
Patriots, 27-23. The Rams’ defense is good, but not good enough against the GOAT!
Matt Miller, Winters Mill
Rams, 20-17. Rams kicks a field goal as time expires to win (like the Pats did to them almost 20 years ago).
Matt Study, Westminster
Patriots, 31-27. Belichick and Tom Terrific, the GOAT, get it done this year as Gronk plays his last game. Patriots win 31-27 in true Brady fashion, on the final drive.
Carroll football players
McClain Butler, Liberty
Rams, 35-17. Brady’s era is coming to an end.
Christian Etchison, Westminster
Rams, 41-34. Sean McVay will outcoach Bill Belichick.
Ryan Gallagher, South Carroll
Patriots, 34-27. Belichick and Brady are the GOATs.
Charlie Hackett, Century
Patriots, 27-20. Never bet against Brady in the postseason.
TJ Hogan, South Carroll
Rams, 35-21. I’m taking the Rams just because they have more big-time playmakers and their offense has been unstoppable this year.
Nate Kent, Liberty
Patriots, 38-24. Tom Brady solidifies his greatness.
Jaden Louis, Westminster
Patriots, 28-24. The Saints should be in the Super Bowl.
Tavian Montgomery, Westminster
Rams, 35-31. I’m so done with the Pats.
Sam Riley, Manchester Valley
Patriots, 36-30. You’re crazy if you think Brady’s losing two in a row.
Peyton Scheufele, Liberty
Patriots, 35-21. Brady has so much experience.
Jalen Stanton, Century
Rams, 28-17. The Sean McVay era begins.
Evan Warren, Westminster
Rams, 30-27. Greg “The Leg” Zuerlein carries LA to a win.
