MidValleySports.Com

By Tim Peterson

I polled local head coaches and assistant coaches past and present and asked them just one question: “Who do you like in the Super Bowl?” Some of these coaches have had several stops as assistants or HCs, while some have been at the same school for an extended period. Others have retired, so I only identified them by their names. The responses I received varied from one-word answers to lengthy breakdowns. Here we go!

Chuck Leonardis: Bengals 28-24. I like the underdog story of the Bengals.

Jim Singiser: Rams 31-14.

Jim Arellanes: Bengals 24-17.

Mike Maggiore: Rams. Defense is tough and as long as they don’t the turn the ball over.

Robert Maxie: Bengals. Get your cigars ready.

Matt Villasenor: Rams. I like the over.

Victor Salazar: Rams.

Anthony White: Rams.

Andrew Policky: Rams.

Adrian Medrano: Rams.

Jesse Ceniceros: Bengals. I like the underdog Joe Burrow and the Bengals.

Dejuan Shamburger: Rams.

Margarito Beltran: Rams. But I like that kid Burrow.

Victor Romero: Rams.

Albert Sanchez: Rams.

Brian Zavala: Rams. But it would be nice to see the underdog Bengals win.

Wardell Crutchfield: Rams. I got the Rams by 3.

Marc Paramo: Rams by 10. I want the Bengals but the Rams are too good up front on defense.

Marc Shettleroe: Rams baby!

Jacob Ochoa: Rams. Bengals have an explosive offense but the Rams are better all around.

Mike Minter: Rams. All the way.

Marcel Perez: Rams. D-Line too much for Bengals O-Line.

Chris Williams: Rams. Rams D-Line vs. Bengals O-Line that has given up a lot of sacks this season.

Travis Brown: Bengals. I think it will either be a Bengals close win or Rams by a mile but it’s the Year of the Tiger so I’ll go with the Bengals.

Pete Karavedas: Rams. All day baby!

Hector Spathias: Rams by 7. Rams have superior roster and a better defense. The Bengals have Joe Burrow. The Rams are at home and can sleep in their own bed.

Jim Arnold: Rams: Money on Rams but rooting for the new “Broadway” Joe.

Dale Ziola: A good game: Because our world could use less bought championships. I’m a Bo Jackson era football kid so my allegiance lies with the other team from LA.

Steve Bogan: Rams.

Pete Smolin: Rams. Rams are the better team but hoping for a good game.

Matt Koffler: Rams.

David Ramos: Rams. I lost faith in them when they moved to St. Louis but I’m slowly coming around.

Rick Zepeda: Bengals.

Donald Bernard: Bengals. I’m still bitter.

James Heggins: Rams.

Eric McIntyre: Bengals. But it will be tough.

Frank Gallardo: Rams. They were my childhood team before they left LA.

Ibis Aguilar: Rams. I’m rooting for the Bengals but I think the experience of the Rams will win out.

Erick Escamilla: Rams. And the over.

Darryl Thomas: Rams.

Don Cayer: Rams. If the Rams play a complete game they are the pick.

Laron Johnson: Bengals. I’m a 49ers fan.

Kyle Trudell: Rams.

Roddy Layton: Rams.

Kevin Pearson: Rams 27-24.

Al Hamichart: Rams 31-21. The Rams defense will step up and Joe Burrow will not be able to get out of the pocket like he did vs. KC.

Mike Moschetti: Rams 35-16.

Riley Saxon: Rams 23-13.

Tip Sanders: Rams. Defense!

Marco Ramirez: Rams. I’ll lay the points.

Leon Ward: Rams. But I’ll take Cincinnati and the points.

Mike Mooney: Rams.

Vinnie Lopez: Rams.

Michael McKay: Rams. Two things give edge to the Rams – home field advantage and their defense.

Dillon Corona: Rams.

Zeke Prado: Rams.

Bill Zernickow: Rams.

Ted Clarke: Rams.

Ryan Jacobson: Rams.

Michael Gutierrez: Rams. Rams on paper but it’s hard not to root for Joe Burrow.

Jude Oliva: Rams. But deep down I would like to see former Buena Park HS great DT Josh Tupou (Bengals) win a Super Bowl.

Joel Sanchez: Rams 34-24.

Pete Gonzalez: Rams.

Pete Gonzalez Jr.: Rams.

Jack Williams: Rams.

Chris MacMillan: Rams.

Gil Ruedaflores: Rams. Offensive and defensive fronts!

Andy Martinez: Rams. But it will be great if the underdog Cincinnati won. Every HS coach will be saying “Why not us?”

Derek Bedell: Bengals. I think they have something special in the locker room.

Hunter Duran: Rams.

Brian Tabatabai: Rams 27-23. I feel the Rams front will get to Burrow and I think OBJ is going to have a big game. My one caveat is McVay seems to coach like a poker player chasing cards. If he can calm down I like the Rams.

Dominic Farrar: Rams. Nostalgia and childhood family memories always makes me root for the Rams.

Brandon Roher: Rams. Too many playmakers.

Matt Lopez: Bengals 34-28. I like Joe Burrow’s cocky confidence. Can he do it against a legit Rams defense? Why not? I would love to see the Year of the Tiger stay true and the Bengals win.

Jesus Pasten: Bengals by 3.

Matt Castaneda: Rams. The Bengals came out in the second half and shut down Mahomes and his high-powered offense so we should have a good game.

Anthony Craft: Rams by 3.

Eric Elias: Rams. The Rams are the most well-rounded team on paper but that being said I would love to see Joe Burrow win a Super Bowl. That would be the only player to win a National Championship, Heisman and Super Bowl.

Aaron Sepulveda: Rams. But I really give the Bengals credit for beating KC.

George Hernandez: Bengals. They’re playing with no pressure.

Mark Holman: Rams.

Keith Jones: Rams. I’m going with the home team. What do they say about defenses? Plus my dad would disown me.

Note to area coaches: If you still want to get in your Super Bowl pick and haven’t had a chance to enter your name and pick in the comments below or contact me on Twitter @tspeterson40.