Super Bowl XLVII has lots of angles

Published 8:00 pm Thursday, January 31, 2013

Super Bowl XLVII provides a lot of interesting angles as THE GAME approaches. Its close proximity to Brookhaven gives it more of a regional flavor.

There are loyal, local fans on both sides of the football. Even if the beloved New Orleans Saints aren’t in the Mercedes Benz Superdome late Sunday afternoon, lines have been drawn in soft earth that has been saturated by rain all month.

The San Francisco 49ers are sentimental favorites. Baltimore Ravens fans want to see All-Pro linebacker Ray Lewis win a Super Bowl title before entering retirement

This column remembers San Francisco running back Anthony Dixon rambling for yards and touchdowns in games against Brookhaven in early 2000. Offensive tackle Michael Oher, the prime subject of the popular movie, “Blind Side,” rose to fame at Ole Miss before signing with the Baltimore Ravens.

San Francisco linebacker Patrick Willis was making earth-shaking tackles at Ole Miss before turning pro.

Tremaine Brock, a reserve defensive back for the 49ers, played one season at Division III Belhaven. The Long Beach product played for Gulf Coast and helped the Bulldogs win a national championship before spending his junior year at the University of Minnesota.

Big Terrence Cody, another Gulf Coast CC product, stars at defensive tackle for the Ravens.

Quarterbacks Joe Flacco of Baltimore and Colin Kaepernick of San Francisco are under the microscope. Neither Flacco (Delaware) nor Kaepernick (Nevada) played for BCS powerhouses but both talented signal-callers earned their spurs on the professional level.

San Francisco and Dallas have both won five Super Bowls. The 49ers have a chance to set a new standard with a sixth title.

Area football coaches were polled on their Super Bowl favorites and shared their opinions with this scribe. It should be a whale of a game.

Tripp McCarty, Brookhaven Academy: I believe the Ravens will win because they have so much more experience on their roster. Both teams have some amazing playmakers. Flacco is supposed to have the strongest arm in the NFL. I was a Randy Moss fan when I was younger. Baltimore 31-23.

Gareth Sartin, Bogue Chitto: I don’t have a favorite because I’m a Saints person but I think the Ravens will win. It will be close. The Ravens seem to be playing well on offense right now and they have a tough defense. Baltimore 24-21.

David Parker, Lawrence County:  I’m just going to watch it because I don’t have a favorite team in it. I predict the Ravens are going to win. The biggest reason I want Baltimore to win is because I’m a Cowboys fan and they are tied with San Francisco. Baltimore 28-24.

Scotty Cline, Copiah Academy: I would think the 49ers. I’m a Patrick Willis fan. I’ve been a fan since Joe Montana was quarterback. San Francisco 21-17.

Brooks Burns, Enterprise:  I’m of the Joe Montana generation. I’ve been a 49ers fan all my life. I’m tickled to see them back in the Super Bowl. I’ll say, San Francisco 31-13.

Chris Smith, North Pike: I’m pulling for San Francisco. They might be a little more rounded. I like Willis. San Francisco 21-17.

Ricky O’Quinn, Franklin County:  San Francisco has been my team since I was a child. I’ve been waiting on this since 1994. Hopefully, they will have some balance on offense. Defensively, we can’t give up the deep ball. San Francisco 24-14.

Tommy Clopton, Brookhaven: I’m a Ray Lewis fan from way back. Patrick Willis is good, too, but I’m going with the Ravens. Baltimore 27-24.

Ronald Greer, Wesson:  I think both teams play good defense. Part of me feels like the 49ers are more youthful. The 49ers’ defense will pull it through for them. San Francisco 21-17.

Tucker Peavey, Southwest: I think if that quarterback can play like he is capable of playing, the 49ers can win it. It should be a very good game. San Francisco 28-21.

Glenn Davis, Co-Lin:  I’m going to pull for the 49ers because of Patrick Willis and Anthony Dixon. I really like their quarterback and the way he is playing right now. I know it gives them an added dimension. San Francisco 31-21.

Randal Montgomery, Hazlehurst: I’m a Cowboy fan so I’m pulling for the Ravens. I don’t want the 49ers to get No. 6. It will be one of those story-book endings for Ray Lewis so he can go out on a high note. Baltimore 23-20.

Randall Huffman, Loyd Star: I’m going with the Ravens. Whoever plays the best defense is going to win. Baltimore 27-24.

Willie Brumfield, West Lincoln:  Baltimore and Ray Lewis will be on a mission and ready to play. I should be a great defensive game. Baltimore 24-16.

Malcolm Jones, McComb:  I want to see the San Francisco 49ers win. I think it will be a defensive game. The 49ers have to do a better job defending those long, downfield passes. San Francisco 21-14.

This column says: Baltimore 28-20.

Contact sports editor Tom Goetz by Email: tom.goetz@dailyleader.com