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    Prep skippers
February 5, 2012

Super Bowl XLVI: Bring it on!

Prep skippers turn prognosticators

Evan Grice The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — It’s finally arrived, the biggest game of the pro football season, the Super Bowl. With the 46th edition of the NFL showcase comes a rematch from the 2007 game between the AFC Champion New England Patriots and the NFC representative New York Giants.

The Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick will be gunning for revenge against the Giants, having seen a run at perfection ended by Tom Coughlin and his team in Super Bowl XLII.

Earlier in this season, the Giants went to Foxboro, Mass. and pulled out a 24-20 at Gillette Stadium. However, games from the past have little impact on the present — not in a league that thrives on the credo, “On any given Sunday ...”

In the conference championship games, both Super Bowl XLVI teams escaped with narrow wins; the Giants nipped San Francisco, 20-17, in overtime, while the Patriots held their breath as a missed field goal preserved a 23-20 win over as Baltimore.

Out of curiosity, The Duncan Banner sports department reached out to the high school head football coaches in Stephens County to get their predictions, opinions and keys to success in today’s game in Indianapolis. Of the six coaches who responded, four like the Patriots to claim the Super Bowl Trophy, but all but one figure the game will be decided by less than one touchdown.

Here are their prognostications:

Duncan head coach Jim Holloway: Giants, 27-24. “It’ll be a game of peaks and valleys. The key for the Giants is going to be their running game and how successful it is against the Patriots defense.

“Eli Manning might not out-shine Tom Brady in the game, but having the running game be effective will be the deciding factor for the Giants. The Patriots are going to throw the ball regardless and the running attack is just a bonus for them.”

Comanche head coach Steve Justus: Patriots, 24-21. “I haven’t gotten to watch much of either team this season. I know the Giants play really good defense, but in the end, I think the Patriots pull it out.”

Empire head coach Tony Roberts: Giants, 24-21. “One play will decide everything, and Victor Cruz will be crucial for the Giants. I think (tight end) Rob Gronkowski isn’t going to be as effective for the Patriots, due to his ankle injury.”

Bray-Doyle head coach David Perkins: Patriots, 31-17. “If the Patriots get a lead and force the Giants into a passing situation, then their secondary should hold just fine,. I believe Tom Brady will have a great game and be named the MVP.”

Velma-Alma head coach Greg Gothard: 38-35, Patriots. “Turnovers are going to be the key in this game. I think the deciding factor will be how well the Patriots can protect Tom Brady.”

Central High head coach Mark Perry: Patriots, 27-24. “The Giants are going to use the running game to keep Tom Brady off the field. But eventually he’ll get the ball and he will score.

“New England doesn’t need a long time to score points. If you score enough points, it’s not going to matter how well the Giants offense plays.”

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