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The long wait is over for New England Patriot fans. They had to endure a “long” six years without their team in the Super Bowl, but now under new management the Pats are back.
With new head coach Mike Vrabel and second year quarterback Drake Maye, Bob Kraft’s team is getting ready for Super Bowl LX at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. this Sunday, Feb. 8. NBC will broadcast the game, which will be seen locally on Channel 10 at 6:30 p.m.
Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, the architects of the last dynasty from 2001 to 2019, are long gone, and have since been replaced by Vrabel and Maye. Vrabel has three Super Bowl rings from that Belichick era as its middle linebacker and part time tight end, but it’s his time now to craft the next generation top tier NFL organization that’s second to none in the eyes of opponents and fans alike. With Maye as his signal caller, he’s well on his way to create his own legacy.
The excitement emanating from Gillette Stadium is reverberating once again throughout New England and beyond.
Winchester High football head coach Wally Dembowski and his assistants, along with three of his captains have also caught Patriots Fever, and couldn’t wait to give their predictions and thoughts on Sunday’s game for the Winchester News.
Patriots 20 – Seahawks 17
“The Patriots will win in a tough defensive battle, if they can neutralize Seattle superstar wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, minimize their tight end play and put a little pressure on quarterback Sam Darnold. They haven't faced the best offenses in the playoffs, even though everyone keeps on talking about the defenses that they had faced. The Chargers and Texans offenses are not fantastic, and Denver was missing its starting quarterback, so the Patriots defense needs to execute to win this game, while also creating a couple of takeaways. The offense will hopefully execute enough to keep the ball away from Seattle. (New England’s) special teams could end up deciding the game.”
Wally Dembowski, Winchester football head coach
Patriots 20 – Seahawks 13
“This is purely a hopeful and emotional pick, because Seattle’s defense worries me.”
Wayne Pandolph, Winchester football offensive coordinator
Patriots 28 – Seahawks 21
“I think our defense is wicked strong, and (Patriots head) coach (Mike) Vrabel (and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels) will cook up a good offensive gameplan (to beat the Seahawks).”
Bryan Harrison, Winchester football captain
Patriots 24 – Seahawks 13
“Starting with the Seahawks offense, while they have been nothing short of efficient and dominant, I think there are some caveats to be taken into consideration. Over their last 10 games, they have faced one team – the Minnesota Vikings – that was ranked in the Top 15 on defense (third). In other words, on football’s biggest stage, it'll be the first time in 12 weeks that they will face a Top 10 defense, with the Patriots defense ending the regular season ranked eighth overall. I think if the Pats are able to make (quarterback Sam) Darnold uncomfortable early, while also eliminating Seattle wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s effectiveness, their offense will struggle. Seattle’s running game is included in this (assessment) with the injury to Zach Charbonnet. The majority of handoffs will be going to Kenneth Walker. We will see how he matches up against the Patriots No. 6-ranked run defense.
“Moving on to the Seahawks defense, over the past 10 games they have played the likes of (Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matt) Stafford three times, and he was able to put up 1,309 yards in total offense against the ‘second coming’ of the ‘Legion of Boom’; (not to mention San Francisco quarterback) Brock Purdy twice; (Carolina Panthers quarterback) Bryce Young; (Colts quarterback) Philip Rivers, who was a high school coach, before returning to the NFL to fill-in for the team’s injured quarterbacks; (Atlanta Falcons quarterback) Kirk Cousins, who made only his fourth start this season in Week 14 against them; (Minnesota Vikings quarterback) Max Brosmer; and (Tennessee) rookie (quarterback) Cam Ward. Enough said with the last two.
“(Patriots quarterback) Drake Maye hasn't played his best ball throughout the playoffs, but he has a coaching staff behind him that I think will put the cherry on top of his season with a Super Bowl victory. (Head coach Mike) Vrabel, who is a three-time Super Bowl champion (as a player under his predecessor Bill Belichick), knows how to win these games. I think his biggest job will be to manage their emotions. As for (offensive coordinator) Josh McDaniels, this will be his 10th Super Bowl appearance. If you don't think he's dialed-in for this game, you are out of your mind.
“When you get to a game like this where the whole world is watching, coaching experience matters, and the Patriots have it, while you can't say that for the other side.”
William O’Connor, Winchester football running back coach
Patriots 27 – Seahawks 24
“I think the Patriots are going to win, because of our elite defense. Players like (defensive lineman) Milton Williams and (cornerback) Christian Gonzalez are going to lead us on that side of the ball, while (quarterback) Drake Maye will sling the rock on offense.”
Lucas Sekino, Winchester football captain
Patriots 24 – Seahawks 10
“The Patriots interior defensive line causes all sorts of problems, and (hopefully) that forces Sam Darnold to see those friendly ghosts of his past, once again. On the other side of the ball, if the Patriots offensive line gets in a groove early on that should (paved the way) for running back Rhamondre Stevenson to have a monster game, and (quite possibly) win the MVP.”
Nick Fazio, Winchester football offensive line coach
Patriots in a blowout
“I believe we have the better quarterback (Drake Maye) of the two teams, even though our last few games have been extremely tough on offense. We also have the better running backs of the two teams. Our wide receivers, I believe, are better, just based on who we have played compared to who they have played all season long. Both defenses are about the same in speed and physicality, but quarterback Sam Darnold has not seen a defense this fast this year. He isn’t going to be able to get loose like he usually does, and as a result will make mistakes, because the pressure will be too much for him. (Taking that into account), the Patriots defense should also put points on the board.”
Kevin Maurice, Winchester football JV head coach
Patriots 34 – Seahawks 24
“I believe that the Patriots will win by playing an all-around team game. They have a different energy under (head coach Mike) Vrabel’s leadership that will enable them to step up and win it in the fourth quarter. The offense will move the ball with ease, while the defense and special teams will (make) big plays to change the momentum at key points of the game.”
Davis Clarke, Winchester football JV coach
Patriots 30 – Seahawks 26
“I think the Pats are going to win, because (quarterback) Drake Maye is (already) the G.O.A.T., and (head) coach (Mike) Vrabel is the best in the league.”
Gianni DePrimeo, Winchester football captain
Joe McConnell is a longtime, award-winning sports editor for numerous North Shore publications. He began covering Winchester sports for the News in November 2024 and is currently its Sports Editor. He can be reached at editor@winchesternews.org.
