Most Area high school football coaches pick Kansas City over Tampa Bay

PHOTOGRAPHER: Peter R. Barber

Niskayuna head football coach Brian Grastorf is the lone Section II high school coach who predicted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to win the Super Bowl among those who responded to a Daily Gazette query.

A lot of sports fans, from casual to expert, like to make a Super Bowl prediction. We thought it would be fun to reach out to football coaches from throughout Section II to get their insights into the big game.

Most of the coaches who responded took the Kansas City Chiefs winning their second consecutive title, and none of them anticipated a blowout.

Here is a look at their selections:

BRIAN GRASTORF, NISKAYUNA

Tampa Bay 27, Kansas City 24

I would like to see Tampa Bay win. Tom Brady is going to be tough to beat at home in the Super Bowl, and the Chiefs have some injuries.

JOHN HOMICH, AMSTERDAM

Kansas City 34, Tampa Bay 27

Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, and Travis Kelce will again be too much for the Bucs’ defense to handle. Expect the Chiefs to establish the run early along with short, quick passes to help both new starting tackles.

ED HANTHO, COBLESKILL-RICHMONDVILLE

Kansas City 35, Tampa Bay 30

I think Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce will be too much for the Bucs. (But of course, Brady will stick it to me the way he usually does).

BRIAN CLAWSON, SHENENDEHOWA

Kansas City 31, Tampa Bay 30

Passing of the torch: The new “Brady and Belichick” is now “Reed and Mahomes.”

TERRY JONES, SARATOGA SPRINGS

Kansas City 37, Tampa Bay 27

I just think KC has too many weapons. But so impressed that it’s Tom Brady’s 10th Super Bowl.

JOHN BOWEN, SCHUYLERVILLE

Kansas City 31, Tampa Bay 27

I think KC has too much offensive firepower. I feel that experience is a wash between both teams. Tom Brady’s success will depend solely on his protection, which has been amazing throughout this end-of-season run. If KC can get after him, the game will not be close. But if they do not, you could see another miracle. (The thought of which makes me ill!)

IAN GODFREY, STILLWATER

Kansas City 34, Tampa Bay 24

Fair warning, I am a die-hard Packers fan, so I am a little biased, but KC has too much firepower and Tyreek Hill was dynamic in the first matchup. TB’s defense will keep it close, but Patrick Mahomes puts it away late with a TD to Hill. Hoping for an entertaining game!

SEAN THOMPSON, FONDA-FULTONVILLE

Kansas City 34, Tampa Bay 31

Patrick Mahomes comes up big and the torch is passed from one legend to the next.

PAT LILAC, GLENS FALLS

Kansas City 31, Tampa Bay 24

The kid Patrick Mahomes is simply too good……and [Kansas City coach] Andy Reid will have some wrinkles in to keep him protected from having a makeshift O-line.

Comments have been lightly edited for print.