This isn't Super Bowl 2012 Official Blog,This is for Super Bowl Ads and Best Super Bowl Ads,Super Bowl 2012,National Football League,Super Bowl Commercials,Super Bowl Advertising,Super Bowl Information,Super Bowl 2012 Live Stream News
In the battle between the AFC vs. the NFC, there's a number of good teams on both sides but only one gets to play for a championship and determining who that team is, is always a difficult task, especially so early in the year. However, there are a few teams that are sure to have the greatest chance at making it all the way.
To find out who they are, read-on.
AFC
Indianapolis Colts - The NFL's good boy's are always good picks too! The Colts are the darling's of the NFL but don't mistake their goodness for weakness - Indianapolis will be tough. Even with Tony Dungy out as the head coach, the Colts still made it to the Super Bowl last year.
San Diego Chargers - In spite of a passionate yet aging and struggling Ladainian Tomlinson out, head coach Norv Turner says that this year's Chargers might be the best team that he's ever coached. His optimism is infectious so we'll agree with him.
Baltimore Ravens - Vegas has been good to Baltimore, predicting the Ravens as low-risk and high-powered for gamblers - we tend to agree. Baltimore has always been rock solid on defense and you know what they say about defenses.
New England Patriots - Can you ever count out the Pats given all they have done in this decade? New England won the East in 2009 and we don't see that changing any time soon.
NFC
New Orleans Saints - A lot of analysts are counting out the Saints this year, predicting a Sophomore slump after riding the high of an emotional run in last year's campaign. In light of that, we can't imagine not including a team with such fire power in the conversation.
Dallas Cowboys - Super Bowl XLV is coming to Dallas in 2011 and the Cowboys have a real shot at becoming the first team to play a Super Bowl in their home stadium. With a star-studded program and a newly focused QB, the big D could stand for something else - dangerous! Fans wanting to catch a glimpse of the greatest show on turf should grab a Dallas Cowboys Travel Package while they're available.
Green Bay Packers - It's hard to bet against a team like Green Bay. With the exodus of Brett Favre and the emergence of a QB named Aaron Rodgers - football fans nationwide weren't sure of what to think about them. In the last several years under Rodgers lead, the Packers have looked more explosive than ever.
Minnesota Vikings - Speaking of Brett Favre, after destroying the Cowboys in last season's playoffs it's impossible to write off the Vikings just yet. Last year saw an offense that made plays and a relentless defense that just wouldn't quit. The success of this team is dependent on whether or not Favre returns as its quarterback.
So, who of these great teams will have the best shot at making it?
I see it as a Dallas vs. San Diego match up in Super Bowl XLV. Dallas will have to survive a treacherous schedule, one of the toughest in the league and if they make it all the way to the Super Bowl, they will have earned it. The Chargers dropped LT and are actually claiming to be stronger than ever, this makes them dangerous.
We'll reserve final predictions for a later date but it would sure be tough to bet against the Cowboys at home, wouldn't it?
Over 100,000 fans are going to cram Cowboys Stadium on February 6, 2011. Will you be one of them?
Purchase a Super Bowl Travel Package from Cowboys Packages today and we'll get you set up for the ULTIMATE Super Bowl weekend experience.
The Atlanta Falcons just win a Week 3 game, but it seemed that they have won the Super Bowl, numerous media brought Facons to their promising super bowl contenders list. Fox Sports listed the Atlanta Falcons as the fourth among the NFL teams who have the biggest possibility to compete in the big game.
Their list is as follows: 1) Pittsburgh. 2. Indianapolis; 3. Tennessee. 4. Falcons. 5. New Orleans. Caplan on the Falcons: “While the Falcons are still in need of help at one of their receiver spots, their offense has really looked solid the past two weeks. And on defense, the speed really seems to be improved. This is looking like a rock solid playoff team. while the ESPN listed the Falcons the third with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Indianapolis Colts as the first and second respectively. The comment on the Falcons are “There’s nothing like the momentum you get from beating the reigning world champs.”
A five-day crash course at the State Fair of Texas could be expected, and the Super Bowl XLV host committee made an annoucement on the numbers 81-100 of its hundred greatest moments in the past century of North Texas football. Monday’s pairing featured the comedy stylings of retired Cowboys players Drew Pearson and Russell Maryland.
Despite coming from different generations, they seemed to have a natural chemistry that could have worked on a talk show or even a sitcom. It is finally time for the unveiling of the 100 greatest football moments in the history of this region. Throughout the week of September 27, the Host Committee will countdown the top 100 moments, as voted for by the fans, at the Hall of State in Fair Park.
As a competitive and recreational gathering of the population of a state in the United States, the State Fair enjoys a great popularity, super bowl related State Fair could be more popular than before.
Lots of car companies are advertising themselves during the annual NFL throw-down, when Super Bowl XLV is broadcast live on Fox Network from Cowboys Field in Arlington, Texas, on February 6, 2011. Seeing the expectations of 100 million viewser, automakers eagerly jumped on-board with at least 20 spots, according to MediaWeek, referencing multiple sources.
Car Companies are using the Super Bowl XLV venue as a stage to showcase several new cars and these companies are :
The original Big Three – Detroit automakers General Motors, Ford and Chrysler,
Audi of America,
BMW
Mercedes-Benz
Korean automaker Hyundai
Kia
Volkswagen
Counting all the car companies that are currently in (we’ll include Ford, even though they’re pre-game), the total is nine automakers planning to participate in Super Bowl XLV. Toyota and Nissan appear to be holdouts.
With the economy just beginning its upswing and car sales up, there’s certainly plenty of new product for the participating car companies to spotlight. The audience of 100 million-plus is enough to cause marketers to amp up their efforts to gain consumer recognition.
Searching for affordable Super Bowl tickets doesn’t have to be difficult this year. If you’re trying to find 2011 Super Bowl tickets and great seating options, you’ll want to check out our seats for Super Bowl XLV. There are several options for customers purchasing their tickets for this year’s game, including Super Bowl packages. Additionally, Vivid Seats can maximize your experience with Super Bowl party tickets for the hottest events of the weekend.
At Vividseats.com, our goal is to make your Super Bowl ticket purchase quick and easy. We offer a 100% guarantee on all tickets and your order is backed by our secured internet server, assuring a completely confidential transaction. Our large affiliate network of certified ticket brokers means we have the ability to offer Superbowl tickets at a variety of prices, from upper level seats to the 50 yard line.
If you’re not sure of where you want to sit when purchasing your Super Bowl 2011 tickets, make sure to check out our interactive seating chart which shows you the location of each seat and corresponding prices. We do our best to offer cheap Super Bowl tickets and if you have any questions about your tickets or prices, please feel free to use our Live Chat option. A friendly and helpful Vivid Seats representative is ready to help you purchase tickets to this year’s Super Bowl!
2010 Super Bowl tickets put you in front of top football action during the most important game of the season! On February 7, 2010, Miami will welcome the AFC and NFC champions who will battle for the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Both teams have to fight through a grueling 16 game season and almost a month of postseason before they finally can realize their dream of playing in this game. The Super Bowl at Land Shark Stadium marks the fifth time hosting the Big Game at this venue, having last held it 3 seasons ago. Get your Super Bowl tickets so that you can experience what this classic stadium is like when such a significant matchup comes to town. The atmosphere is further enhanced by the famous halftime show. This year the headliner band is expected to be The Who, who will bring their top hits from over 30 years of performance and recording. The 2010 Super Bowl will be an event that you remember for many years if you make sure that you’re in the stands to feel all the excitement.
Through roughly three-quarters of the NFL season we have a very good idea of who the contenders are and who the pretenders are. With that in mind, it's time that we start looking at potential Super Bowl XLV games. This list will rank, from least compelling to most compelling, the Super Bowl matchups for the real contenders. If you're a fan of an NFC West team you will likely be disappointed with the list since none of those teams are real contenders (this comes from a fan of an NFC West team too). For your reading and viewing pleasure, the 15 best potential Super Bowl XLV games.
15. Kansas City Chiefs Vs. Chicago Bears
The Chiefs have come out of nowhere to post a 7-4 record and lead the AFC West by a game over the hard charging San Diego Chargers. The Chiefs are thought of as the Patriots-lite. They have their old backup QB in Matt Cassel, their old offensive and defensive coordinator in Charlie Weis & Romeo Crennel, and their old front office master mind in Scott Pioli. They are a solid team that could be a year or two away from being a big time player along side the Patriots, Jets, and Steelers.
The Bears are the least sexy 8-3 team in football. They don't really wow you with their play but at the end of the day they are able to put up victories. Jay Cutler still scares me at QB but he hasn't been as turnover prone as he was in the past. They are a lot like the Chiefs in that they aren't great at any one thing, though their defense is playing at a pretty high level, and we aren't sure how good they really are.
14. New England Patriots Vs. New York Giants
A rematch of their classic Super Bowl XLII game where the Giants ended the Patriots perfect season. The Giants defense was all over Tom Brady that day and a last minute touchdown from Manning to Burress gave the Giants the 17-14 victory. This game would be similar to that game, except neither team would be chasing perfection. The Patriots have an explosive, high-powered offense and a defense that gives up a lot of yards (and is starting to give up a lot of points). The Giants offense is about as good as it was that year. The defensive front-seven is not as good as it was that year but they can still attack and that makes them a scary team come January.
13. New York Jets Vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles make this list a lot but that's because they have the single most compelling storyline in football: Michael Vick. Love him or hate him, you can't deny that he is electrifying and that thinking of potential matchups with him versus some of the great defenses in the AFC would make for great television. This particular matchup has Vick against the third-best scoring defense in football, the Jets. Would Vick be able to create plays with the Jets secondary neutralizing the Eagles weapons on the outside? Would Vick get frustrated and abandon his arm and use his legs?
12. Indianapolis Colts Vs. Green Bay Packers
I can't think of a better QB in the NFC than Aaron Rodgers. There are some who are close (Vick, Ryan) but Rodgers is the best of the bunch. Peyton Manning has to do more than any other QB in football. This matchup with the best QB in the NFC versus arguably the best in the AFC could make for a wild shootout. Of course, that's assuming the Colts are able to get some of their playmakers back to help out Manning.
11. Pittsburgh Steelers Vs. Philadelphia
A Super Bowl matchup of the best playmaker on the offensive side of the ball, Michael Vick, against the best playmaker on the defensive side of the ball, Troy Polamalu. Add in the tale of redemption for both teams quarterback and you have one of the best possible Super Bowl matchups.
Side note, I do know that both QB's troubles are of their own doing but it's nice to see athletes who at least have tried to remake their image in light of their off-field issues.
10. New England Patriots Vs. Atlanta Falcons
There is an age old question that is often asked when used to determine who is the best QB in football: Who would you want with the ball in the last two minutes of the game? Since 2002, the answer has been Tom Brady. He had a calmness to him, he was like Joe Montana in that regard. It didn't matter if he needed a field goal or touchdown, just give him the ball at the end with a chance to win. Now, Matt Ryan is slowly becoming that type of QB. He has played one postseason game thus far, a loss to Arizona in the 2009 wild-card round. This year, the Falcons look poised to make a run for the Super Bowl in the wide open NFC and Matt Ryan could take the next step and put his name alongside Brady.
9. San Diego Chargers Vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The highest scoring team in the NFC vs. the second highest scoring team in the AFC. Michael Vick and all the weapons that are around him vs. Philip Rivers and all the toys that he has. Rivers is arguably the MVP of the NFL, while Vick will likely finish somewhere in the top 5. The Chargers finally getting over that playoff hump and getting to the Super Bowl. Andy Reid exorcising some of his postseason demons and leading the Eagles back to the Super Bowl.
8. Baltimore Ravens Vs. New Orleans Saints
Really any game between Ray Lewis and a great QB is going to make for compelling television. Add to the fact that the Saints can score points as well as anyone and the Ravens have one of the best defenses in the league makes it even better. Joe Flacco is taking on more responsibility with the struggles of Ray Rice and he is turning a corner and becoming of of the better QB's in football.
7. New York Jets Vs. Green Bay Packers
The Jets were built to win this year after getting so close to the Super Bowl last year. The Packers were one of the favorites entering last year's postseason but forgot how to play defense. Now these two teams seem primed to make a deep run into the playoffs this year. Green Bay's defense has been playing really well. The Jets offense, led by Mark Sanchez, seems to have taken a big step forward with the addition of Santonio Holmes. The two teams that won the first three Super Bowls could meet in Dallas this year for the biggest game of the year.
6. New England Patriots Vs. Chicago Bears
A matchup of a great QB and linebacker, although Urlacher has kind of taken a back seat to Julius Peppers on the Bears defense. Plus, this one could turn into a shootout given the Patriots ability to score and the Patriots defense being so porous, especially against the pass. Jay Cutler could have a field day or he could throw five INT's.
5. Indianapolis Colts Vs. New York Giants
Watching the Colts this year, you have to feel bad for Peyton Manning. He has lost every playmaker that he has, except Reggie Wayne, the running game is non-existent and he has had to do more this year than in any other year. It will take a lot of doing for him to be able to get the Colts to the playoffs, let alone the Super Bowl. On the other side, would be his brother Eli. These two really could not be any more different. Peyton is like a robot, his preparation and study are the things of legend. Eli, while no doubt a thorough studier of the game, is kind of goofy and shows more emotion on the field.
4. New York Jets Vs. New York Giants
I am not one of these people that believes the entire sports world revolves around New York, probably because I am not from New York. That said, the contrast in coaching styles in this game would make it compelling. There is Rex Ryan, the laid back, fun-loving character who can make you laugh and then make you cry as his team is beating on you. On the other side there is Tom Coughlin, the no-nonsense, tough and strict guy who wants to rip you apart. I think most people would like to play for Ryan but both guys definitely get results because of who they are and how they coach.
3. Baltimore Ravens Vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Ray Lewis versus Michael Vick. The best linebacker of this era taking on probably the best pure athlete in all of football. Imagine seeing Vick lineup under center and Lewis on the other side yelling and screaming at him, letting him know what he is going to feel if he tries to take off. It would be an almost surreal feeling watching these two on the field knowing what they are capable of at any given moment.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers Vs. Green Bay Packers
Two of the most storied franchises in professional sports history meeting up for the first time in a Super Bowl. Two great quarterbacks, Roethlisberger and Rodgers. Two great defenses. Two outstanding coaches. It's hard to believe that these two have never met in a Super Bowl before given the fact that these teams are so good and so consistent. A matchup in Super Bowl XLV would have all the makings of one of the best Super Bowl games of all-time.
1. New England Patriots Vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The best coach in football, Bill Belichick, and (arguably) the best quarterback in football, Tom Brady, going up against the team that they beat in Super Bowl XXXIX, the Philadelphia Eagles. These two teams have very different looks from those teams. In New England, the only real constants are the coach and QB. In Philly, they have remade this team starting with the new and improved Michael Vick. Imagine Belichick and his legendary gameplan ability going up against the most dynamic player in all of football. That would make for some really great television and the best possible Super Bowl XLV matchup.
Fox has only two 30-second commercials remaining for sale in the upcoming Super Bowl, the network has told some of its clients, according to sources familiar with the conversations.
Spots in this year's Super Bowl began selling early with Fox reporting that it has sold 80% of its inventory in June. The previous year, CBS got to the 70% mark in September. Last month it was reported that Fox had sold more than 90% of its inventory.
In addition to a price tag of about $3 million per commercial, Fox is only going to make a deal with advertisers willing to buy a package of pre-game spots as well.
Super Bowl XLV will be held Feb. 6, 2011 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The game is nearly always the most watched TV program of the year. The game will be followed by an episode of Glee.
Fox is also busy selling the few remaining spots in the World Series, which it will broadcast beginning later this week.
CRANSTON — Woonsocket High head coach Carnell Henderson has been telling anyone who would listen that football season is a journey that often lasts from August until early December.
“Our kids came a long way from the first game we played Tolman back in September,” Henderson said on Sunday afternoon following the Villa Novans’ 28-14 victory over the Tigers in the Division II Super Bowl at Cranston Stadium. “We didn’t capitalize on some things in the first game (a 6-0 Tolman victory). But that was early in the season. We showed how far we have come today.”
The Villa Novans successfully defended their 2009 D-II championship by throwing the football on seven of their first 10 plays from scrimmage in the first quarter. Quarterback Kevin Reyes found Jesse Charette on a 25-yard TD hookup just 2:30 into the game and later he would find tight end Geo Heredia for an 18-yard touchdown pass that gave Woonsocket a 28-6 lead early in the fourth quarter.
Heredia, who caught two passes and intercepted two more while earning MVP honors, savored the victory as much as anyone.
“Coach told the team we would be passing the ball 10 or 15 times,” said the senior co-captain. “I didn’t play in the first game against Tolman. Coach said we could beat them in the passing game because they blitz all the time. And they were double-teaming Jesse. I knew I had to get open.”
Woonsocket intercepted Tolman quarterback Joselito Knapp three times and also recovered two fumbles. The Villa Novans’ vaunted defense blocked two punts and recovered a pair of fumbles.
“We fell behind and had to throw the ball,” Tolman coach Dave Caito said. “Everyone knows that the passing game is really not our forte.”
The Tigers, who relied almost exclusively on their running game while compiling a 7-0 record during the regular league season, couldn’t move the ball on the ground against a Woonsocket defense that dominated the line of scrimmage. The Villa Novans constantly gained penetration into Tolman’s backfield, using their superior size advantage inside to neutralize the Tigers’ blockers. Tackles Manny Heredia and Desmond Gray controlled the line of scrimmage, forcing Tolman to run sweeps and reverses to the outside, mostly to no avail.
Outside linebacker Oswald Torres, middle linebacker Kyle McKellick and defensive back Jarome Robinson created havoc, containing those outside runs by the dangerous Knapp and his main running back, Ousmane Samb, who gained only 12 yards on 15 carries.
Knapp was held to 59 yards on 23 carries as he frequently saw Robinson blitzing from the right corner position, or ran into the speedy Torres doing contain work on the left side of the defense. The trigger to Tolman’s offense had nowhere to run.
And without its running game to lean on, Tolman’s defense spent a long time on the field in the first half, trying to stop a Woonsocket offense that came out throwing the football.
Reyes opened the game by beating Tolman’s blitz and connecting with Charette for 18 yards. Then he completed a six-yard pass to Heredia, who fumbled as he went to the turf. Tolman’s Mamour Samb recovered.
The Tigers’ offense went backwards, incurring a five-yard penalty for early movement on the line, and then losing 10 yards when Samb stumbled as he tried to swing wide of Woonsocket’s aggressive pursuit from the corners. On third down, Knapp dropped the football while spinning around to make a handoff. Lineman Joell Sherrod recovered at Tolman’s 25-yard line.
Reyes wasted no time taking advantage of the turnover, hitting Charette down the right sideline for a 25-yard touchdown pass. John Poirier’s extra point made it 7-0.
Heredia followed with his first interception, leaping to catch the ball as Knapp tried to drop it over his head on a screen pass at the Tigers’ 32-yard line. Tolman had now turned the ball over twice in the first four minutes. Fortunately, the Tigers’ defense held its ground and got the ball back on downs.
The two opposing defenses took over, forcing a series of punts, before Woonsocket exposed another flaw in Tolman’s game. With five minutes left in the second quarter, Tolman punter Kevin Poirier got nailed for an 11-yard loss while trying to control a low snap from center. Woonsocket’s Edwin Jones made the tackle with McKellick and Jalen Evans in close pursuit.
Once again, Reyes made a big play on first down after a turnover, hitting Evans on a quick slant pass that went for 31 yards down to Tolman’s four-yard line. Orlan Thomas covered those four yards in two plays, following the left side of his offensive line into the end zone for a 13-0 lead with 3:53 left in the half. John Poirier made it 14-0 with his second of four successful conversion kicks on the day.
Tolman had a chance to get on the scoreboard after Shayne Taylor returned the ensuing kickoff 40 yards. A 15-yard facemask penalty on Woonsocket moved the ball down to the Novans’ 25. It stayed there for three downs. On fourth down, Knapp overthrew an open receiver at the goal line.
Tolman’s punting game backfired again early in the third quarter when Evans blocked Poirier’s boot and Jarome Robinson, a major force all day on defense, recovered at the Tigers’ 32.
“Our blocking on punts was atrocious,” Caito pointed out after the game.
On third-and-19, Charette took a snap from the Wildcat formation and sprinted to the left sideline, somehow kept his feet in-bounds while avoiding tacklers, and streaked into the end zone, covering 41 yards in a flash with a dazzling display of athletic talent.
“I was so close to the sidelines, I had to be an athlete and tip-toe for a few steps to stay in-bounds,” Charette said while wearing a big smile after the game.
That score made it 21-0. And while some may have thought the game was over, Tolman is not a team that ever gives up. The Tigers responded by moving 48 yards to paydirt on 9 plays. Juan Wilson gained 15 yards on first down and 11 more on his next carry. Knapp then showed his toughness by running for a first down. Woonsocket, which committed 10 penalties in the game, got tagged for a facemask tackle, setting the Tigers up at the 10. An offsides call cut the distance in half and then Knapp finally scored on fourth down from the two-yard line. Woonsocket’s defense grudgingly yielded the touchdown.
After missing the extra point, Tolman attempted an onsides kick. Mamour Samb squibbed the ball exactly 10 yards and Romario Tomas fell on it for Tolman as the Woonsocket players heid back, wrongly assuming the ball had to go 10 yards before they could touch it.
The Villa Novans’ defense again stood tall, forcing Tolman to punt. Woonsocket then moved 45 yards in six plays. Evans ran for 27 yards on three carries. On third-and-nine from the 18, Reyes lofted a pass down the right sideline that Heredia, who had eluded Knapp’s chuck at the line of scrimmage, easily handled for a 27-6 lead that Poirier expanded to 28-6 with his fourth true kick.
Woonsocket drew another 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct by Oswald Torres, who was ejected after playing a brilliant game at outside linebacker. The Tigers’ Mamour Samb ran the kickoff back 30 yards and Tolman set up shop at the Woonsocket 20. On third down, Woonsocket safety Rody Fernandez intercepted a Knapp prayer in the end zone with 10:37 left in the game.
The Tigers had one last scoring drive in them. Ousmane Samb broke 13 yards for his longest run of the day. Knapp hit Shayne Taylor with a 19-yard pass to Woonsocket’s one-yard line. After Edwin Jones tossed Ousmane Samb for a four-yard loss, Knapp found his senior halfback running alone at the goal line for a five-yard touchdown pass with 3:14 left in the game.
Tolman then recovered its second straight onsides kick but Heredia ended the Tigers’ last threat by leaping up to tip a short Knapp pass to himself, coming down with the ball and the MVP trophy in one fell swoop.
“I just want to enjoy this for awhile,” Carnell Henderson said after the game. “These kids came so far as a team. They became like family to each other. I am so proud of them.”
Caito gathered his Tolman team at one end of the field while Woonsocket celebrated at midfield. Tears were shed by players who were ending their careers without a state title to share with each other.
“I just told the kids it wasn’t our day,” Caito revealed while walking off the field with his wife and young daughter. “We had our day in September against Woonsocket and today was their day. That’s the way it goes sometimes.”
***
WOONSOCKET, 28-14
Woonsocket 7 – 7 – 7 – 7 – 28
Tolman 0 – 0 – 6 – 8 – 14
WOON – Jesse Charette 25 pass from Kevin Reyes (John Poirier kick)
WOON – Orlan Thomas 2 run (John Poirier kick)
WOON – Jesse Charette 41 run (John Poirier kick)
TOL – Joselito Knapp 2 run (kick failed)
WOON – Geo Heredia 18 pass from Kevin Reyes (John Poirier kick)
TOL – Ousmane Samb 5 pass from Joselito Knapp (Knapp run)
***
WOON TOL
First downs 9 8
Rushes-yards 25-115 45-95
Passing 6-14-0 2-8-3
Sacks-yards lost 2-16 0-0
Net passing yards 87 24
Total offense 202 119
Penalties-yards 10-97 4-30
Fumbles-lost 2-2 4-2
Punts-avg. 5-27.0 3-29.0
Individual statistics
Rushing – Woonsocket: Jalen Evans 14-55, Jesse Charette 2-37, Orlan Thomas 2-4, Edgar Jones 1-1, Kevin Reyes 5-12, Jarome Robinson 1-6. Tolman: Joselito Knapp 23-59, Ousmane Samb 15-12, Juan Wilson 5-38, Mory Keita 2-(-3), Kevin Poirier 1-(-11).
Passing: Woonsocket: Kevin Reyes 6-14-0-103. Tolman: Joselito Knapp: 2-8-3-24.
Receiving: Jesse Charette 2-43, Geo Heredia 2-24, Jalen Evans 1-31, Jarome Robinson 1-5. Tolman: Ousmane Samb 1-5, Shayne Taylor 1-19.
It used to be an annual tradition for the Bridgewater-Raynham football team.
The calendar would turn to December, the malls would be mobbed with holiday shoppers and the Trojan football team would be preparing for another state championship game.
For many years, it all seemed to go hand-in-hand.
From 1996 to 2001 the B-R football team was one of the top programs in Massachusetts. The Trojans played in five Super Bowls over that six-year span and were crowned state champions twice, in 1998 and 2000.
But after losing the title game in 2001, the Trojans took an extended vacation from playing in the season’s final game. They endured several tough seasons in that stretch, including a 4-7 campaign in 2008.
Last season — seven years after their last Super Bowl appearance — the Trojans finally made it back to the title game but lost to Gloucester, 33-13, in their first-ever trip to Gillette Stadium.
“We had been down for a few years and the seniors really got us back on track,” B-R head coach Dan Buron said after his team’s 2009 Super Bowl loss. “I think it sets the tone for the younger kids now. They see what they need to do to get back here.”
The returning members from last year’s runner-up team heard Buron’s message loud and clear.
On Saturday night, B-R played in its second consecutive Super Bowl and even with its 34-13 loss to Gloucester in a rematch of last year’s Division IA title game, it appears the Trojans may be back on the state’s high school football radar for good.
With successful junior varsity and freshmen teams, Buron believes the future is bright for the program.
“I’ve got a good younger program,” Buron said. “The numbers are up in the program and our JV team had a good season. The numbers are up, the kids are working hard and they’re enthusiastic.”
Heading into this season, the Trojans weren’t expected to compete for the Division IA crown again.
They had lost 20 seniors from last year’s squad, many of whom were key contributors. On the flip side, many of the rising seniors for this year’s team didn’t see much game-action last year.
Although this year’s seniors were overlooked at the beginning of the season, they put in the hard work and dedication needed to make this season a success, and that’s something Buron appreciates.
“Last year we were here and nobody expected us to come back because we graduated a lot of seniors,” Buron said. “(This year’s seniors) didn’t have much experience but they worked their fannies off, believed in themselves and their teammates, and they got us here. There are a lot of unsung heroes on this team.”
Buron hopes the work ethic from this year’s team rubs off on the younger players for future years.
“I told the underclassmen to look at these (seniors) as an example and they’re going to start us back on the right track. If they work like (the seniors) did then we’re going to be all right.”
Have questions or comments about the Packers? Send them to Green Bay Press-Gazette sports editor Mike Vandermause at mvandermause@greenbaypressgazette.com and he will provide responses in Packers Preview.
Q: If the Packers win the rest of their home games, do they clinch the division and get a first-round bye due to the tiebreaker over Philly? If so, are they bound for the Super Bowl?
Vandermause: If the Packers win four of their final five games, and lose at New England, they stand a decent chance of not only capturing the NFC North title but also earning a first-round bye.
If the Packers beat the Bears in the regular-season finale and the two teams are tied, the tiebreaker sequence would be: record in division, record against common opponents, record against NFC teams, strength of victory, and strength of schedule. If the tiebreaker slides to strength of victory — which isn’t out of the question — the Packers would hold the edge.
The Packers would need the Eagles to lose one of their final four games and finish 11-5. Then the Packers would receive the tiebreaker nod over the Eagles based on their season-opening win in Philadelphia. So if the Packers take care of their own business, they should be in good playoff position. As for the Super Bowl, under you scenario, the Packers would likely have to beat the Falcons in the Georgia Dome in the NFC title game.
Q: What do you think of the Packers’ throwback uniforms?
Vandermause: I can’t lie. I don’t like them. I’ve never been a big fan of throwback uniforms. It makes the players look like they’re dressed up in Halloween costumes. It strikes me as just another way for the NFL to make a buck by attempting to sell unique-looking jerseys.
My question is, who would buy such ugly apparel? At least we only have to put up with these hideous fashion statements once every decade or so.
Q: Those refs in the Packers-Falcons game shouldn’t be allowed to spot a football in a peewee game. What is the punishment for horrible reffing?
Vandermause: NFL officials are graded every week. The best ones get to work playoff games. The worst ones sit home during the playoffs and/or don’t get rehired.
Obviously they missed the Tony Gonzalez drop on Sunday, but I can hardly blame them for that. On the original replay angle, it looked like a catch. Only a better angle from the other side showed Gonzalez dropping the ball on a crucial fourth-down play.
Of all the things the Packers can blame for losing, the officials would be at or near the bottom of the list.
Q: Which QB is more respected by their team, Jay Cutler or Aaron Rodgers? Long term 10 years down the road, which QB has the better career?
Vandermause: Rodgers is more accurate, makes fewer mistakes, is a better runner and is the unquestioned leader of the Packers’ offense. I don’t think it’s even close in terms of who is the better quarterback, short term or long term.
Q: I believe the Packers will be a playoff-caliber team for years to come. Who do you think is their main competition over the next five years in the NFC?
Vandermause: With Matt Ryan at the helm, the Falcons could be good for years to come. I could see the Packers-Falcons rivalry rising to the current level of Patriots-Colts. Assuming Michael Vick stays in Philadelphia, the Andy Reid-led Eagles will probably give the Packers strong competition as well. A dark-horse team might be the Buccaneers, who appear young and hungry.
Q: Why is our play-calling so predictable? Sitting at home, most informed fans can predict the next plays.
Vandermause: I disagree with your premise that informed fans know what’s coming. Fans and media have the benefit of 20-20 hindsight, which is why I seldom get caught in the trap of criticizing play-calling. If a play works, then the play-calling is great. If the play flops, it’s horrible play-calling. I don’t buy it. There are times when the perfect play is called, but because one player messed up it didn’t work. Mike McCarthy, the Packers’ play-caller, studies film and tendencies and opponents early in the morning and late at night. He knows better than anyone what has the best chance to work. Does that mean he’s above criticism for his play-calling? Of course not. But it’s too easy to rip the play-caller when several other factors might be at work on any given play.
Fox’s Super Bowl broadcast will feature no fewer than 20 automotive spots, accounting for nearly one-third of the event’s 63 total avails, in an unprecedented show of support from the auto category, according to multiple sources.
And while this may not come as a total surprise, given the strength of the category and the tremendous demand for NFL inventory, this year’s load of car and truck ads far surpasses that of any previous Super Bowl. Even the dot-com debacle of 2000 doesn’t compare; while it may have seemed like more at the time, only a dozen Internet companies threw down for a slice of time in ABC’s broadcast of Super Bowl XXXIV––a 20 percent share of the 61 spots available at the time.
There’s no telling which two NFL franchises will find themselves in Dallas on Super Bowl Sunday; perhaps we’ll see flaxen-haired Uggs spokesmodel Tom Brady and the New England Patriots squaring off against Philadelphia’s Dog Whisperer, or we may be treated to the spectacle of the merrily profane Rex Ryan leading his New York Jets into battle against their fellow Jersey time-shares Eli Manning and the Giants. But no matter who shows up in the Big D on Feb. 6, it’s safe to say that the 100 million-plus Americans tuning in to Fox for Super Bowl XLV will bear witness to something unprecedented.
Fox’s auto inventory is particularly impressive when one stops to consider that only six car clients suited up for Super Bowl XLIV (CBS), double what NBC was able to round up for its presentation of Super Bowl XLIII. Leading the way are some returning favorites, a long-time holdout and one luxury marque that is coming into the big game for the first time in its 45-year history.
After a three-year absence, General Motors is back in a big way, having ponied up for as many as six spots in support of Chevrolet. GM joins Ford and Chrysler in what will mark the first time the Big Three have turned out for a Super Bowl in nearly a decade; Chrysler hopped back in last year for the first time since 2004, while Ford dropped out last year to focus on digital spending.
Super Bowl XLV is Mercedes-Benz’s first trip to the big show. The automaker’s 60-second spot, from Merkley + Partners in New York, is a brand-image ad that will run in the fourth quarter, said Steve Cannon, vp of marketing at Mercedes-Benz USA in Montvale, N.J. The 2011 splash will come as the automaker celebrates its 125th anniversary and prepares for launches involving its SLK, C-Class, M-Class and CLS models.
“We’ve got our first-time ever Super Bowl [buy] intersecting with our 125th anniversary [and the launch of] four gorgeous models next year,” Cannon said. “That kind of connection made the Super Bowl a really relevant platform for us.”
Making its first Super Bowl appearance since the dawn of the century, BMW is in for a couple of spots. The German automaker is leveraging the NFL championship game as a platform for a number of 2011 launches, which include the new 6 Series coupe and convertible, the 2011 X3 SUV and the 5 Series sedan.
BMW did not offer any detailed information about its Super Sunday lineup, although all creative will be steered by MDC Partners’ Kirshenbaum Bond Senecal & Partners. The carmaker may pull an end-around and feature its upcoming electric model, the ActiveE, which rolls out in summer 2011.Another luxury brand is driving into Super Bowl XLV, as Audi of America returns for its fourth consecutive season finale. Created by Venables Bell & Partners of San Francisco, Audi’s 60-second spot will air in the first quarter, in the third position of the first break following the opening kickoff.
“We’ve achieved record levels of awareness and showroom traffic with national consideration numbers showing significant spikes postgame,” said Scott Keogh, chief marketing officer, Audi of America. “The Super Bowl is one of the few places a brand can reach so many people at once; it’s truly a cultural phenomenon.”
Sources said Hyundai, Honda and Volkswagen would also suit up for the secular holiday, leaving a wobbly Toyota and Nissan the lone holdouts among the major automakers.
Fox did not comment on its Super Bowl roster, noting that it would allow each client to announce its plans as it saw fit. The broadcaster moved a whopping 80 percent of its available spots concurrent with the 2010-11 upfront and was out-of-sale by mid-October.
Jon Nesvig, who is stepping down as president of sales for Fox Broadcasting at year’s end, was able to command rates between $2.8 million and $3 million per 30-second spot, slightly above CBS’ year-ago asking price ($2.5 million to $2.8 million). So great was the demand for Super Bowl time, Nesvig had already hashed out a number of preliminary agreements with automakers as early as mid-May.
Air time moved so quickly that some observers suggested that Fox may have sold out too quickly. “It’s not exactly an unenviable problem to have, but if they had held out a bit they may have been able to pump up their pricing to as much as $3.2, $3.3 million,” said one TV buyer. “Then again, who’s going to turn down easy money? And who knows what might have happened with the economy between then and now?”
The overabundance of automotive dollars has everything to do with the industry’s recovery. “This has been a bit of a growth year and 2011 is going to be even better,” Cannon said. “Folks are coming out with new products, and it’s such a terrific platform to get the word out in a big way. So, given the downturn that we’ve all...come through, it’s not actually a surprise that [the Super Bowl] should be chock-a-block full of automakers.”
While auto drove the ad sales market this year, the usual suspects that don’t come equipped with four wheels and a carburetor will also be well-represented in Dallas. After Pepsi-Cola pulled its soft drink spots from last year’s game––the conglomerate was represented by its Doritos snack chip brand––the beverage is back for Super Bowl XLV, prepping three spots for PepsiMax. Doritos will pop up in three :30s.
Anheuser-Busch InBev is expected to trot out as many as 10 new spots for Bud and Bud Light, although Bud Light Lime could squeeze its way into one or two avails. The brewer traditionally throws down for three-and-a-half minutes of air time, or 210 seconds.
Other sponsors who are once again putting on the pads for February’s spectacle include: E*Trade, Cars.com, Bridgestone, GoDaddy.com, Mars, Teleflora, CareerBuilder.com and Skechers. (Football fans should not expect to see advertisements for 2010 sponsors Denny’s, FloTV, truTV, Monster.com and Microsoft Visio.) And while the tablet wars are heating up, it’s unlikely that Apple will make its pitch for the iPad on the day of the big game. Steve Jobs’ gizmo factory has bought time in only one Super Bowl, deploying its now-celebrated “1984” Macintosh spot during the third quarter of the one-sided Raiders-Redskins game (XVIII).
Best Buy is making its first-ever appearance in the Super Bowl, to tout news it says will "revolutionize" retailing.
The electronics giant told Advertising Age exclusively that it has bought one 30-second spot, projected to run during the third quarter of the 2011 event on Fox. It's the first time the retailer has advertised during the game, despite having a significant presence in the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl, as it promotes its home-entertainment systems.
"We feel like we have really big news that will revolutionize retailing," said Drew Panayiotou, senior vice president of U.S. marketing. "It's innovative; it's first ever. That's why the stage is so important for us. ... [Super Bowl] is still one of the best places for big news, and probably getting more important because of fragmentation."
Mr. Panayiotou declined to comment further but said the spot will kick off a campaign that will run throughout the next year. As far as creative, the retailer is weighing two options presented by creative agency Crispin Porter & Bogusky. Publicis Groupe's Starcom handles media planning and buying.
"As with most companies that go on this stage, and given that it's our first one, we've done an inordinate amount of focus groups. Probably more than we've ever done," Mr. Panayiotou said. "We're now at that fantastic point. ... The offices at Crispin are buzzing. Their head creative is telling us, 'be a bold client.'"
So, will Best Buy be bold? "The spot will be great, driven in part by how great our relationship is with Crispin," Mr. Panayiotou said. The spot could also include a newsworthy celebrity or two, he hinted.
Even before Best Buy determined it had big news to break during the big game, it was eyeing the Super Bowl. "We wanted to move the brand to iconic places. We discussed what those properties would be: Academy Awards, Super Bowl, tier-one TV events," Mr. Panayiotou said. "Sometimes companies say, 'We've got great news, let's go find a stage.' In this case, we said, 'Here's a great stage, our brand belongs here. At the same time a great thing popped up. It's incredible serendipity."
But, Mr. Panayiotou added, it's still been interesting to see how a Super Bowl spot can galvanize a company. It forces a company to think about and focus on the "biggest and best news" of the next year or two. "That's an intangible benefit to having a big stage," he said. "It's sped up a lot of things within the company."
Best Buy began investing more heavily in TV earlier this year, telling Ad Age that it would increase its spend by a low-double digit percentage. Trying to make its marketing spend more effective, the retailer implemented a new marketing-mix model, which led it to shift dollars away from inserts and into TV. In 2009, Best Buy spent $289 million on measured media, including $150 million on TV advertising, according to Kantar. Through September, it's spent $162 million on measured media, including $80 million on TV.
TV has also been a major focus on this year's holiday effort. The retailer is running two TV campaigns concurrently, and it began airing ads Nov. 1, 10 days earlier than a year ago.
Commercials for this year's big game, slated to be held in February in Arlington, Texas, sold out faster than at any time in recent memory. Fox confirmed the game was booked solid back in October, after having sold about 80% of inventory during the upfront market. Prices for a 30-second spot are hovering around $3 million, though Best Buy declined to comment on what it paid.
Typically, retail is a weak category for Super Bowl. In 2008, Victoria's Secret bought one 30-second spot, but there have been few retailers on the level of Best Buy -- a multinational retailer, with more than 1,000 Best Buy stores in the U.S. alone and global annual revenues of about $50 billion.
The Super Bowl could become a part of Best Buy's repertoire, however, which might pique the interest of other retailers. "We'll see how this first venture goes, and if it's successful, I'm sure we'll be back," Mr. Panayiotou said.
For the Beverly High and St. John's Prep football teams, today marks the biggest games they will ever play in their lives. Each will be fighting to win an Eastern Mass. football championship today at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, home of the New England Patriots.
For the Beverly High Panthers, they'll be looking for the school's first ever Super Bowl crown when they battle Somerset High for the Division 3 title. Beverly takes a 6-6 record into the game, while the Blue Raiders of Somerset are a perfect 12-0. Game kick is set to kick off at 11 a.m.
Later in the day, St. John's Prep will square off against the state's No. 1 team, unbeaten Everett, in the Division 1 Super Bowl. This game is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. The underdog Eagles (8-4) are hoping to bring a football championship back to Danvers for the first time since 1997.
You can follow all of today's Beverly and St. John's Prep football action live on www.salemnews.com by checking out our Twitter feed.
Here's how to watch Holliston take on Cardinal Spellman in the Div. 3A Super Bowl, whether or not you can make it to Gillette Stadium, via hollistonfootball.com. Catch the big game in Foxboro
The admission price is $15 for adults and $12 for students, children and seniors. They will be available at the Gillette Stadium ticket office outside the Patriot Place Gate, beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4. All fans will enter the stadium via the Patriot Place Gate, located near The Hall at Patriot Place and CBS Scene.
Parking is free. Fans arriving by I-495 and Rte. 1 should enter the parking lots via the P7 or P8 entrances. Fans arriving via I-95 and Rte. 1 South should enter the lots via the P1 entrance. No tailgating will be allowed in the parking lots. Concession will be availabe. Catch the big game at home
Verizon cable customers can watch the action on Channel 52. If you've got Comcast, tune to Channet 77 (Comcast Sports Network).
The Super Bowl will stream live on WMRC radio's website. Radio FM 98.5 the Sports Hub will also broadcast the game.
Holliston Cable Access TV will also broadcast the game at some point afterward - check their schedule for Cable 8 and at hcattv.org.
Yesterday, coaches and captains from each of the teams participating in the six Eastern Mass Super Bowls played at Gillette Stadium toured the field in anticipation of Saturday's games. We caught up with Bridgewater-Raynham quarterback Billy Zolga and Everett wide receiver and defensive back Matt Costello yesterday.
Both players were at Gillette last year when their respective teams lost their Super Bowl bids. Now, the seniors are looking to leave a lasting imprint in their final high school football games.
This is for all the marbles, so let's get straight into the action:
DIVISION 1
Everett (11-0) vs. St. John's Prep (8-4), 6 p.m., Gillette Stadium
Everett players to watch: ATH Manny Asprilla, WR Matt Costello, QB Jonathan DiBiaso, RB/LB Vondell Langston, LB Buck McCarthy, WR/DB Kenny Calaj, OL/DL Nick Chiarello, DL Shaquille Taylor. St. John's Prep players to watch: RB Tyler Coppola, OL/DL Nathan Cyr, TE Ryan Delisle, TE/ROV Lucas Bavaro, OL/DL Dan Culkeen. The skinny: In his third year under center, DiBiaso has exploded to lead one of the state's most prolific offenses (37.5 points per game), and re-write the record book (he threw his state-record 40th touchdown pass of the season in Tuesday's 21-0 win over Andover). But you best believe he is thanking his lucky stars for the exploits of Costello (20 touchdowns) and Asprilla. The Boston College-bound Asprilla, who lines up at both tailback and wide receiver, is one of the state's most dangerous threats in the short passing game, and known to rip off huge gains out of underneath routes. Prep, meanwhile, has rode a powerful ground game (what's new?) to victory, led by Coppola, who has nearly 450 yards on the ground in the last two games. The Eagles are anchored by a powerful line led by Cyr and Culkeen, while Bavaro has emerged as an intimidating presence over the middle on defense. X-factor: The matchup of the Trinity-boud Cyr, one of the state's best o-linemen, versus Taylor, one of the state's best d-linemen, will be one of the most intriguing battles of the day. Both are built low to the ground, with an explosive first step, and you've got to wonder if one key block will spring either team to victory.
Barboza: A Prep win would be the fitting culmination to an emotional ride, but this has been the Crimson Tide's year. Everett, 27-21
Hall: This has been a remarkable run for the Prep, after all the program has been through these last two seasons, and they're winners in my book either way. I'm going with one of the unsung guys, Gilly DeSouza, to win it late with his feet for the Crimson Tide. Everett, 24-21.
DIVISION 1A
Bridgewater-Raynham (10-2) vs. Gloucester (12-0), 8 p.m. at Gillette Stadium B-R players to watch: QB/QB Billy Zolga, RB/LB Nick Schlatz, OL/DL Mike Devin, RB/LB Mike Chicoine, RB Brandon Morin. Gloucester players to watch: TE/DE Chris Unis; RB/LB Gilbert Brown; FB/LB Jordan Shairs; OT/DE Andrew Mizzoni; C/NT Anthony Latassa. The skinny: Do you like running the football? This game is for you. The Trojans and Fishermen do it better than just about anybody and certainly have the book on each other after facing off in last year’s Super Bowl. You’d be hard pressed to find a more consistent pair of backs than Gilbert Brown and Jordan Shairs of Gloucester. The Trojans ran behind Brandon Morin to a win over Weymouth in the semifinals after starting in place of injured tailback Nick Schlatz. It would give B-R a lift if Schlatz can recover from a shoulder injury sustained in a Thanksgiving Day win over Brockton X-factor: Really it just comes down to which team blocks its assignments better. It’s simple as that.
Barboza: This might be the most difficult game to forecast, but I’m giving the edge to Gloucester’s experience. Gloucester, 16-14.
Hall: This might be the best matchup of the day. Power versus power, strength versus strength. Gloucester has more playmakers on the defensive side of the ball, but I like the way this B-R team has been running the ball this last month. Against Dan Buron’s wishes, of course, I’m picking the Trojans to avenge 2009 and put an end to the Fish's 25-game win streak. B-R, 17-14.
DIVISION 2
Mansfield (11-1) vs. Reading (12-0), 3:30 p.m., Gillette Stadium
Mansfield players to watch: RB Jamel Marshall, QB George Busharis, WR Blayne Taylor, OL/DL Sean Otto, OL/DL Kyle McGuire, OL/DL Anthony Todesco, WR Jeff Hill. Reading players to watch: QB/DB Brian Bourque, OL/DL Jeff Covitz, OL/DL Anthony Fodera, RB Larry Gilligan, RB Zack Bates, WR Sean Gildea, WR Connor Sheehan. The skinny: The defending Division 2 Super Bowl champ Rockets come into Saturday on a 25-game win streak, albeit by a thread after some late heroics from Bourque and Covitz allowed them to escape their home turf with a 15-14 thriller over Dracut. With Bourque spearheading a shotgun-oriented rushing attack, the Rockets have amassed 42 rushing touchdowns going into Saturday. The Hornets, meanwhile, are back at Gillette for the second time in three years thanks to a stalwart defense led by McGuire at defensive tackle, and the workhorse carrying load of Marshall. This Mansfield squad, known for its Wing-T, isn't afraid to pass the ball more than in years past, with the arm of Busharis. Taylor and Hill, the latter of whom caught three touchdowns in Tuesday's 28-0 shutout of Walpole, have emerged as downfield threats the last few weeks. X-factor: Covitz, with his above-average leg strength and low center of gravity, has been the most irreplaceable guy on the offensive line, and is generally been a nuisance for opposing offensive linemen coming off the edge. With that in mind, picking up the blitz will be crucial for the Hornets.
Barboza: When it's on the line, Marshall is just too explosive. Mansfield, 17-14.
Hall: Stan Andre, the one who kicked off this whole win streak, was in the house Tuesday night to take in the Reading game. I'm sure he said something to them in the ecstatic locker room after the game, and I'm sure it's going to count late in the fourth quarter. Reading, 28-27.
DIVISION IIA
Duxbury (12-0) vs. Concord-Carlisle (10-2), 1:30 p.m. at Gillette Stadium
Duxbury players to watch: QB Matt O’Keefe, DB/QB Kane Haffey, OL/DL Brett Harasimowicz, TE/DE Don Webber, RB/DB Reilly Naton. Concord-Carlisle players to watch: RB George Craan; QB Peter George; RB/LB Jabrail Coy; LB Evan Boynton. The skinny: These are two very stingy defenses with the Green Dragons allowing just 10.8 points per game and the Patriots have surrendered a shade under 13 points per game. Make no mistake, these teams can also move the ball. Duxbury thrives with its complement of Kane Haffey and Matt O’Keefe at quarterback. Concord-Carlisle can always depend on George Craan and his 1,600-plus yards out of the backfield. X-factor: The Patriots and their fans know what to expect out of Craan, but if sophomore Tim Badgley can repeat his five-carry, 109-yard performance from their semifinal against North Andover, C-C’s chances for victory would greatly improve.
Barboza: One last time, I’ll pull this one out. The “Double Dragons” of O’Keefe and Haffey will lead them to victory. Duxbury, 21-20
Hall: Yes, that’s right, I called Duxbury’s defense “Duxbury Swag District” yesterday on our podcast. I am tragically lame, and slightly out of control. Duxbury, 24-10
DIVISION 3
Beverly (6-6) vs. Somerset (12-0), 11 a.m. at Gillette Stadium
Somerset players to watch: RB/LB Seth DeMello; RB/DB Jaron Spear; OT/DT Ian Levesque; RB/LB Alex Estrella; QB Adam Ledoux. Beverly players to watch: RB/DB Brendan Flaherty, QB/DB Joe Wioncek, OL/DL George Kallas, RB/DB Nick Theriault, LB Mark Giles, OL/DL Andrew Cannata. The skinny: Somerset’s 28-0 win over Dighton-Rehoboth in the semifinals was a prototypical Blue Raiders game. Both Seth DeMello and Jaron Spear finished with over 100 yards rushing as Somerset bled the clock dry in the second half. Meanwhile, Beverly – the official Cinderella squad of the 2010 playoffs — showed that they truly belonged with a 41-14 thrashing of Scituate. Will the Blue Raiders prevail and finish a perfect season? Or can the Panthers keep the magic alive? It’s the quintessential favorite vs. underdog. X-factor: The teams’ lines. For Division 3 schools, both of these squads have good sized linemen. Six-foot-five, 315-pound lineman Ian Levesque is a mountain on the Blue Raider line, but is agile as well. George Kallas is an immovable object on the Panther line.
Barboza: Not only is the double wing difficult for any team to run, but the Blue Raiders have all the right elements to run it to its best. Somerset, 28-14
Hall: Clock strikes midnight on Beverly, as two wings are better than one. Somerset, 21-10
DIVISION 3A
Holliston (11-1) vs. Cardinal Spellman (12-0), 9 a.m., Gillette Stadium
Holliston players to watch: RB/LB Kevin Curry, QB Sean Mayo, TE/DE Ryan Barrett, RB/DB Jake Frechette, WR/DB Christian Baker, OL/LB Ethan Rayner, OL/DL Kevin Lamarcque. Spellman players to watch: RB/DB Blaise Branch, FB/LB Jared Lordi, RB/DB Jordan Williams, QB Zac Cooney. The skinny: The 11-1 Panthers come into Saturday averaging just a hair under 40 points a game, with Mayo as the triggerman. Even in limited playing time -- the Panthers often pulled their starters in the third or fourth quarter -- the dual-threat quarterback put up 1,723 yards through the air, with 21 touchdown passes to only five interceptions, and also added 456 yards and nine scores on the ground. Spellman, in its third year under Ron St. George, had a remarkable turnaround, going from 2-9 to undefeated and in its first Super Bowl since 1992. At the forefront of St. George's vaunted Wing-T scheme is the senior Branch, who leads Eastern Mass with 36 rushing touchdowns. But over the last few games, defenses have had to worry more and more about Lordi and Williams. X-factor: The Bryant-bound Barrett, at 6-foot-5 and 233 pounds, was a matchup problem all year long in the Tri-Valley League. And while he's not putting up the most gaudy numbers at tight end and was used more as a blocking back, his combination of size, speed and athleticism demands airtight coverage from the linebackers and helps open up the Panthers' offense.
Hall: The Panthers came to Gillette last December and got manhandled. Guarantee you that's been fresh on their minds this week, and for that I think they avoid the same early mistakes that doomed them in 2009. Holliston, 25-20
DIVISION 4 Shawsheen (10-1) vs. Blue Hills (10-1), 10 a.m., Curry College Shawsheen players to watch: OL/DL David Summiel, QB Ryan Woolaver, RB Andrew Dascoli, WR Rob Greenwood. Blue Hills players to watch: RB Vincent Burton, RB Isaiah Teixeira, OL/DL Jamarr Goff, QB John Curran The skinny: Shawsheen, on the heels of a 21-0 shutout of Madison Park in Tuesday night’s playoffs, is on a roll defensively. The Rams haven’t allowed a point in 19 quarters, dating back to a 41-6 win over Lynn Tech on October 15. Dascoli is the Rams’ workhorse back, while Greeenwood is their top threat at receiver. The Warriors, rested from a bye on Tuesday night, are led by Vincent Burton and his Division 4-best 30 touchdowns. X-factor: The 6-foot-5, 310-pound Summiel might be the biggest catalyst for this incredible Shawsheen run. Playing right offensive tackle and left defensive end, Summiel paved the way for 118 rushing yards from leading rusher Dascoli, and also preserved a fourth straight shutout.
Barboza: The week off will certainly benefit Blue Hills, but the Rams defense is stout. Shawsheen, 14-7
Hall: Logic says to go with Blue Hills, as they’ll be well-rested thanks to their bye. But this Shawsheen defense is an absolute wagon by Division 4 standards, and for that I’m giving them another shutout to finish off what’s been a remarkable run over the last six weeks. Shawsheen, 21-0
DIVISION 4-A
Brighton (9-2) vs. Northeast (10-2), 1 p.m. at Curry College Brighton players to watch: RB/LB Andrew Maestre, RB Dwight Kennedy, QB Jonathan Marrero, OL/DL Patrick Jean, WR Olumide Olukoga. Northeast players to watch: RB/DB Bobby Novello; RB/DB Mike Cross; OL/DE Ryan Adams; FB/DE Ian Bagby; TE/LB A.J. Ortiz. The skinny: You'd be hard pressed to find a hotter defense in the state than the Golden Knights, who have now pitched six shutouts after a 42-0 blanking of Pope John Tuesday. Their next challenge lies in the Bengals. A Division 4-A Super Bowl participant last year, Brighton’s offense is led by running back Andrew Maestre and quarterback Jonathan Marrerro, each of whom ran for two touchdowns in their 36-13 win over West Bridgewater on Tuesday. X-factor: Brighton wide receiver Olumide Olukoga is the favorite target of Marrerro, but he’s also dangerous in the return game. Olukoga had a 41-yard kickoff return to set up Maestre’s first touchdown of the game. At this stage, with two talented teams, special teams play always comes to bear.
Barboza: Can’t pick against the Northeast defense, but the Bengals will put some points on the board. Northeast, 23-17
Hall: I used to live in Brighton Centre, and my neighbors were awesome. Go grab a bite at Smoken’ Joe’s when you get a chance, and make sure you get the Kansas City Sticky. Brighton, 21-17.
The owner of a beloved ditty by the 1985 Chicago Bears is preparing to shuffle on down to federal court to take on a media conglomerate.
"Super Bowl Shuffle" owner Julia Meyer filed a lawsuit in Chicago this week alleging Viacom used the video on MTV and VH1 without permission.
The video features Bears boasting, "We're so bad, we know we're good. Blowing your mind like we knew we could." It sold more than 500,000 singles and became a hallmark of the Super Bowl champions.
The lawsuit says interest in the video is up on the 25th anniversary of its recording and Viacom has undermined potential sales. It says a jury should determine a damages figure.
Viacom spokeswoman Kelly McAndrew says the claims in the lawsuit are "unfounded."
Source: Associated Press
New Orleans Saints fans on Wednesday can start getting state-issued license plates commemorating the NFL team's Super Bowl victory.
Michelle Rayburn, a spokeswoman for the state Office of Motor Vehicles, told The Times-Picayune that 4,400 special license tags have been stamped out so far by the arm of the corrections system that produces the plate.
Rayburn says not all OMV offices will have the Saints tags. She says they'll be available in motor vehicle offices in larger metropolitan areas, declining to provide specific locations. She urged those who want to buy the tags to call 225-925-6146 to find out which offices have them.
The plates will cost at least $61.50 for two years - on top of the standard plate cost based on the value of the vehicle.
Source :http://www.dailycomet.com/article/20101201/APN/1012010615?Title=Saints-Super-Bowl-license-plates-now-on-sale
Dallas Danner had scoring runs of 60, 40 and 10 yards to lead the Union Road Jaguars to a 27-12 win over the Virginia Beach Mustangs on Saturday. The win propelled Union Road to the Pop Warner Super Bowl in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., which begins Dec. 4.
Kari Robbs added a 50-yard touchdown pass to Cricket Smith to add to the scoring for the Jaguars (11-0), which advanced to the Super Bowl for the fourth time in five years.
Smith (sack, interception), Mario Brandon, Quan McClunney, Nassem Moulinand and Zach Glenn led the Union Road defense.
Games from the Pop Warner Super Bowl can be viewed on espn3.com.
Audi today it has purchased airtime during the Super Bowl for the fourth consecutive year.
For Audi, the time slot is well worth the multi-billion dollar cost.
“Since Audi began advertising in the Super Bowl nearly four years ago, we’ve achieved record levels of awareness and showroom traffic with national consideration numbers showing significant spikes post game,” Scott Keogh, Audi’s chief marketing officer, said in a statement.
Audi said its spot will air during the first break after the game starts. But the German automaker declined to say what it spent for the time slot. Trade journal Advertising Age estimates advertisers are paying between $2.8 million and $3 million for 30 second spots during the 2011 Super Bowl.
Last year, Audi’s “Green Police” advertisement featured the Audi A3 TDI, and a soundtrack created by rock legends Cheap Trick.
As an automaker, Audi will be joined Chevrolet, which said recently it planned to return to the Super Bowl after a two-year hiatus.
