While out and about this week, our staff polled local athletes, coaches and faculty about who they thought would win the big game. Here are the News-Press Super Bowl 54 predictions.
Mark Patton
News-Press Senior Writer
Winner: Chiefs
Score: 35-30
KC showed it’s a team of destiny by rallying from a 24-0 deficit to beat Houston 51-31 in its playoff opener. The Chiefs are also bringing a lot of karma to their first Super Bowl in 50 years – by bringing along 2,000 family members and staff, which includes even their janitors. With tickets costing more than $6,000 a pop, that’s quite a karma-geddon.
Mitchell White
News-Press Staff Writer
Winner: 49ers
Score:35-31
Having seen the San Francisco defense in person, I can attest to the team’s speed and tenacity. I think the 49ers will be able to sustain its running game early and keep Patrick Mahomes off the field, but the 2018 NFL MVP will make a late-game push to keep things interesting. Kyle Shanahan will figure out how to manage his team’s lead well enough to bring the Lombardi Trophy back to the Bay Area.
Gerry Fall
News-Press Staff Writer
Winner: 49ers
Score: 31-14
Garoppolo and Mostert will be too much for the Chiefs defense to handle, while Bosa, from his defensive end position, will make it a long day for Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. I also believe that Kyle Shanahan will out-coach Andy Reid.
Jorge Mercado
News-Press Staff Writer
Winner: Chiefs
Score: 34-27
The old adage goes that defense wins championships but I am sure whoever said that never imagined a player like Patrick Mahomes running the offense on the other side. The Chiefs offense has been on a roll on their way to the Super Bowl and while the 49ers have one of the best defenses in recent memory, Mahomes will score just enough to give Kansas City its first title in 50 years.
Nick Masuda
Director of News
Winner: 49ers
Score: 37-24
I had the distinct privilege of growing up with five Super Bowl titles as a diehard Niners fan in the Bay Area — and this team has the same vibe. Great tight end, great fullback, great running game — and don’t sleep on the passing game. Most of all, the Niners’ defense is special — more special than Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs’ QB will have his moment, just not tonight.
• • •
Austin Ziehl
Bishop Diego
Winner: Chiefs
Score: 24-21
“Because they’re going to stop the running game up front and Mahomes is gonna go off.
Jeff Burich
Bishop Diego
Winner: Chiefs
Score: 34-31
“Offense wins championships — let’s go opposite from what everyone else says. Defense gets you to the championship; let’s go with offense gets you the championship.”
Tyler Williams
Bishop Diego
Winner: 49ers
Score:31-21
“They’re going to bring that D.”
Wade Ransom
Cate School
Winner: Chiefs
Score:48-34
“Mahomes magic, baby. It’ll be like a little 8-man action.”
Ben Soto
Cate School
Winner: 49ers
Score: 24-21
“Other teams can score on the Chiefs defense, and if the 49ers get ahead of them then I think that defense is good enough to hold them.”
Khadim Pouye
Cate School
Winner: 49ers
Score: 24-13
“Just because they’re better.”
Meena Baher
Cate School
Winner: 49ers
Score: 24-8
“Because I’m from the Bay Area. I really don’t follow football that much, but they’re a great team with great energy.”
Laura Moore
Cate School
Winner: Chiefs
Score 28-21
“Mahomes. He’s the difference maker. Just in the AFC Championship, I felt like he showed something that no football player has shown all season in terms of his ability to throw and run. I think Jimmy G. is a good player, but I don’t think he’s there yet. He’s a little bit unpredictable.”
Andy Gil
Cate School
Winner: 49ers
Score: 28-21
“I’m going to say that Garappolo is gonna win this one. I’m gonna go with Jimmy G.”
Deacon Hill
Santa Barbara High
Winner: Chiefs
Score: 38-31
“(The Chiefs) have an electric offense, especially with Tyreek Hill. Patrick Mahomes can also make crazy plays happen that others can’t. I’m thinking that the Chiefs offense is going to be hard to handle, but it’ll be up to the defense to stand strong.”
Chase Kamin
Santa Barbara High
Winner: Chiefs
Score: 35-21
“(The Chiefs) explosive offense can put up points at any time and strong defense to complement it.”
Ben Partee
San Marcos High
Winner: 49ers 34-31
“I’m a big Jimmy G. fan and think he can pull this one through. Also, my dad played for the 49ers for a little while, so of course I need to root for them.”
Lauren Tsuneishi
Westmont College
Winner: 49ers
Score: 24-8
“I don’t know. I really have no clue.”
Kirsten Moore
Westmont College
Winner: 49ers
Score: 28-21
“It just seems that their team chemistry is really good coming off of years where they’ve struggled. I think their appreciation for the moment and that they’ve had a bunch of resilient guys to get to the place they’re at right now… hopefully it pays off for ‘em.”
Abe Jahadhmy
San Marcos High
Winner: Chiefs
Score: 37-24
“They’ve got a run stopper now and the 49ers defense has struggled against a quarterback who can run, and not only can (Mahomes) run, but he can throw.”
Joe Zamora
Dos Pueblos High
Winner: Chiefs
Score: 34-28
“I am a big Andy Reid fan. Great coach who’s been through a lot off the field and still leads and preserves. I’m also an Eagles fan and he was the former coach there.”
Jelani Hicks
San Marcos High
Winner: Chiefs
Score: 28-14
“I’m gonna go with Mahomes and see what he can do. I don’t follow football too much, but I do watch Sportscenter a little bit.”
Tony Njia
San Marcos High
Winner: 49ers
Score: 24-13
“They have my favorite quarterback, Richard Sherman. He’s a DAWG. And the 49ers were my first favorite team, ever.”
Isaiah Hicks
San Marcos High
Winner: 49ers
Score: 21-14
“I haven’t really watched too much football. I don’t really know, to be honest.”
Tommy Condon
San Marcos High boys basketball player
Winner: Chiefs
Score: 36-28
I went to Kansas City earlier this year, and I like the barbecue there so I’m gonna go with them. I’m not a big football guy.
Alex McCeney
Dos Pueblos High boys basketball player
Winner: Chiefs
Score: 28-27
I’ve got Chiefs and Pat Mahomes all the way. They’re just explosive on the offensive end and I feel like they can stay in every game.
Baylor Huyck
Dos Pueblos High boys basketball player
Winner: 49ers
Score: 3-2
I think the 49ers, they’ve got a good kicker that’s gonna kick it right through the uprights. Just one time.
Corey Adam
Santa Barbara High boys basketball coach
Winner: 49ers
Score: 27-24
They can get pressure with their front four, they can run the ball and their offense can score. Plus I’m a raiders fan and can’t possibly root for the Chiefs.
Chris Koeper
Santa Barbara Foresters Hall of Famer
Winner: Chiefs
Score: 31-24
Growing up in the Bay Area with Raider season tickets makes it difficult to choose either, but I’ll take any team over the 9ers!
Tom Myers
Former UCSB pitching coach & current Chicago Cubs scout
Winner: Chiefs
Score: 31-24
Mahomes athleticism and Chiefs dynamic offense too much for well coached 9ers.
Virgil Vasquez
Former Santa Barbara High, UCSB, Santa Barbara Foresters and MLB pitcher; current minor league pitching coach for Minnesota Twins
Winner: Chiefs
Score: 24-17
Chiefs…. they are the better team, and because of the Twins connection. Our friend LaTroy Hawkins is the godfather of the QB, Patrick Mahomes. Sammy Watkins is the cousin of our friend and MLB first base coach, Tommy Watkins. Have to root for the family!
Shane Lopes
Former Dos Pueblos High football star; current football coach at Laguna Blanca School
Winner: 49ers
Score: 37-21
Shoot-out and then Niners pull away because they cause a turnover. The Niners’ offense capitalizes on opportunity.
Pat Cooney
Carpinteria High School athletic director
Winner: 49ers
Score: 35-31
SF has navigated through some really tough challenges and adversity through the season. They are playing their best at the end of the season and seem to be rising to the occasion as a team. KC is tough with some marquee-type talent so it should be a good one.
Craig Moropoulos
SBCC football coach
Winner: 49ers
Score: 35-30
Because of great punting by the 49ers, of course! (Former SBCC star Mitch Wishnowsky punts for San Francisco).
J.T. Stone
Santa Barbara High football coach
Winner: 49ers
Score: 28-21
Their defense is playing well and I think they’re up for the challenge.
Jason Fowle
San Marcos High football coach
Winner: 49ers
Score: 38-35
Because of Kyle Shanahan’s game-planning and play-calling ability to keep the Chiefs’ defense off-balance and Patrick Mahomes on the sidelines; the 49ers’ gritty offensive line and talented runners and receivers; a disciplined and tenacious pass rush to pressure Mahomes, and a fast linebacker corps and opportunistic secondary to contain the Chiefs’ playmakers.
Tom Crawford
Bishop Diego football coach
Winner: Chiefs
Score: 31-24
Two fastest NFL teams I saw this season. Gonna tick off some of my colleagues with this: Assuming KC slows down 49er run game, it will come down to which quarterback makes the big plays. Mahomes’ ability to improvise and keep plays alive gives KC the edge.
Rocco Constantino
SBCC athletic director
Winner: 49ers
Score: 38-30
Both teams have great players, but I think the 49ers have the more complete team. The few games they lost this year came down to just one play here or there. The 49ers defensive line will be a key. If they can pressure Mahomes without having to send extra blitzers, that will be huge because they’ll need all the coverage men they could get against Mahomes. I’m expecting a good, high-scoring game.
Dan Feldhaus
Dos Pueblos High athletic director
Winner: Chiefs
Score: 27-20
I am guessing that the Chiefs’ defense will load the box and try to take away the SF running game, but will still need to account for the SF tight end. It seems the KC defense and SF offense is a fairly even matchup, so the game is ultimately be a battle between the SF defense vs. KC offense. If his O-line gives him any time, Patrick Mahomes will do his magic, extend plays and use the amazing speed of his receivers to extend the field and exploit mismatches. I imagine Andy Reid will be very creative in his play calling.
Bobby Castagna
UCSB associate athletic director
Winner: Chiefs
Score: 31-27
I think the 49ers will have problems stopping Mahomes. I think he’ll be able to throw, and run to keep them off balance. San Francisco will need to put another player closer to the line of scrimmage to spy him and I think that will open things up for him and Kansas City.
Bill Mahoney
UCSB associate athletic director
Winner: 49ers
Score: 24-14
I believe San Francisco will use its running attack to eat clock and shorten the game. They have a great offensive line and probably the best blocking tight end in the business. I think the 49ers will be able to keep their defense fresh and really go hard after Mahomes when they are in the game, forcing mistakes.
Joe Chenoweth
Santa Barbara High athletic director
Winner: 49ers
Score: 36-27
Between Garoppolo, Mostert and 49ers defense, I believe Niners win. With that said, Mahomes stats and versatility will be difficult to manage. Go Niners!!!!!
Bill Pintard
Santa Barbara Foresters manager
Winner: Chiefs
Score: 31-27
Niners have the best “D” in the NFL; Chiefs have a great Run “D” and will slow down 49ers’ run game. Bottom line, the Chiefs have Mahomes!!
Steve Schuck
Santa Barbara High and Santa Barbara Foresters coach
Winner: 49ers
Score: 34-28
I don’t have a dog in this fight. I really like Mahomes and how he plays. It will be hard to not root for him. But, since Eli (the Dons’ adopted player) and his family are diehard SF fans, how can I go against them. Go SF!
Grace Matthews
San Marcos High All-CIF girls volleyball player
Winner:Chiefs
Score: 27-24
One word: Mahomes.
Lizzie Goss
Santa Barbara High girls soccer & golf athlete
Winner:Chiefs
Score: 36-28
The Chiefs offense has been great all year and they will continue that Sunday.
Dave Goss
Local community member
Winner: Chiefs
Score: 31-24
There is too much Patrick Mahomes for San Francisco to handle for 60 minutes. I am also a fan of Big 12 football and the Chiefs offense is led by three Big-12 players, including Mahomes from Texas tech.
Arthur Wilkie
UCSB Sports Info. Director
Winner: 49ers
Score: 31-30
The 49ers defense will bend, but not break and give Mahomes just enough trouble. I also think Jimmy G’s impact in this game is being underestimated. He’ll have a good game.
Chase Raisin
Santa Barbara High boys water polo player, CIF champ
Winner: 49ers
Score: 27-24
I was born in San Francisco and they are the better team. 9ers all the way.
Connor Lambe
Santa Barbara High boys soccer goalie
Winner: 49ers
Score: 20-7
I’m excited to watch Kansas City’s offense go up against such a strong 49ers defense, who I think will be able to hold them off well enough to condemn the chiefs to just a single touchdown.
Athena Saragoza
Santa Barbara High girls basketball player
Winner: 49ers
Score: 30-28
They are both great offensive powerhouses but the 49ers have been on a good streak for this season and I think they can bring it all together for a Super Bowl win that has been awaiting them for so long.
Miracle Millinghaus
Dos Pueblos High girls basketball player
Winner: 49ers
No score prediction
I don’t watch football like that but I think the 49ers are going to win and get it done.
Mikayla Butzke
Dos Pueblos High girls volleyball, basketball and softball player
Winner: 49ers
Score: 27-23
Only because my boyfriend is a 49ers fan but I think it’s going to come down to the better running game.
Lily Mires
Dos Pueblos High girls basketball player
Winner: 49ers
Score: +13
49ers are definitely going to win, they are just the better team.
Phil Sherman
Dos Pueblos High girls basketball coach
Winner: 49ers
Score: 24-10
The 49ers defense is as good as I have ever seen but I love Mahomes. But the Chiefs have been locked down for a few quarters in the playoffs and SF’s defense is so good.
Aaron Solis
San Marcos High girls basketball coach
Winner: 49ers
Score: 31-27
As a SoCal boy I hate saying this, but I think the Niners are going to win 31-27 Sunday. I want the Chiefs to win, but my prediction is that one.
Michael McGreevy
UCSB pitcher
Winner: Chiefs
Score: 38-28
Patrick Mahomes is a dynamic quarterback. He just makes things happen. The Niners’ defense is good, but there’s not a lot stopping that guy.
Kyle Johnson
UCSB first baseman
Winner: 49ers
Score: 34-27
The Niners have everything but the quarterback. They have enough to overcome Mahomes.
Andrew Checketts
UCSB baseball coach
Winner: 49ers
Score: 35-21
I like the town better than Kansas City.
Justin Jacome
UCSB assistant pitching coach
Winner: 49ers
Score: 21-6
I’ve got to go for the Cali team. I’m not a fan of either team, so I’m just going for the Cali team.
John Moore
Westmont men’s basketball coach
Winner: 49ers
Score: 27-24
I think it’s going to be a fantastic game. I think (running back) Rasheem Mostert has been tremendous. I think he’s going to rush for more than a hundred yards.
Justin Bessard
Westmont men’s basketball center
Winner: Chiefs
Score: 24-10
Patrick Mahomes is a beast.
Tim Vom Steeg
UCSB men’s soccer coach
Winner: 49ers
Score: 31-24
The 49ers have already faced Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson twice this season, and I think having to play against a quarterback like Russell Wilson has prepared them well for Kansas City, and that attack.
Kevin Cannon
UCSB baseball assistant operations director
Winner: Chiefs
Score: 35-24
I think Patrick Mahomes is Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl. He goes off and does his thing and throws for four touchdowns. They might trail at some point early like they have been, recently, and then Patrick Mahomes does his thing.
