Super Bowl Predictions: Area football players, coaches, writers prognosticate Super Bowl

Will Peyton Manning ride off into the sunset after winning his second Super Bowl?

Will Cam Newton further his status as a burgeoning face of the National Football League by leading his team to the Vince Lombardi Trophy?

Will two phenomenal defenses actually get some love ahead of the biggest of games?

Questions, prognostications and hype abound as Super Bowl 50 between the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos draws near with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m. Sunday from Santa Clara’s Levi’s Stadium live on CBS.

While the questions won’t be answered until Sunday, the Times Community Newspapers North (Burbank Leader, Glendale News-Press and La Canada Valley Sun) sports staff along with area football players and coaches offer up their best predictions.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton celebrates during the NFC Championship Game against the Arizona Cardinals.

(Grant Halverson / Getty Images)

Sportswriters

Andrew Campa: “Nine years ago, Peyton Manning stood in the way of Ron Rivera winning a Super Bowl as the defensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears. Rivera has assembled a similar defense and an outstanding young quarterback in Cam Newton. Manning is a legend, one of the greats, but he can only wish he moved and threw like he did nine years ago. Plus, as a Bears fan, I love the Chicago connections – Rivera, “Peanut” Tillman, Greg Olsen, Jared Allen, Steve Wilks, Ricky Proehl, etc.” Carolina 24, Denver 20.

Grant Gordon: “My mind is telling me Carolina, maybe in a blowout. But, like an idiot, I’ll go with my heart. More so than any athlete since Walter Payton, Peyton Manning is just all class, a guy who does things the right way and somebody I can’t help but root for. And I think he’s got just enough left and just great enough of a defense supporting him to ride off into the sunset like some guy named Elway did for Denver many moons ago.” Denver 24, Carolina 17

Charles Rich: “Carolina’s offense will be too much for Denver’s top-rated defense to handle. Expect Cam Newton and Co. to be handing footballs to kids in both end zones multiple times.” Carolina 35, Denver 20.

Jeff Tully: “I too would like to see the Broncos win just because of Peyton Manning. But with that said, in reality, I think the Panthers will win by at least a couple touchdowns. In the end, I think the Cam Newton-led offense of Carolina will find a way to get past the touch Denver defense. That offense just has too much firepower. Carolina 35, Denver 21

Sports writers: Carolina 3, Denver 1.

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Football Coaches

Matt Andersen, Hoover: “I really like how Cam’s playing right now. I just don’t see the Broncos stopping their offense. I expect a good game.” Carolina 24, Denver 17.

Jim Bonds, St. Francis: “Denver’s defense slows Cam and the Panthers and Peyton goes out on top, right in to the Hall of Fame!” Denver 27, Carolina 24.

Richard Broussard, Burbank: “Last season in the Super Bowl when the No. 1 defense went against the No. 1 offense, the defense won. But Cam Newton is just a special player and he brings a lot to the table. But I’m really torn, it could really go either way.” Carolina 27, Denver 24.

George Maiale, Glendale: “I want the Panthers to win. Growing up a Raiders fan, I have a hatred for the Broncos. With that Panthers defense, they win by two touchdowns.” Carolina 34, Denver 20.

Fred Martinez, Bellarmine-Jefferson: “It’s a game really that’s a changing of the guard and that has a lot to do with Cam Newton. You essentially have a tailback playing at quarterback and he can throw the ball. If everything goes right, it may be a wide victory for Carolina with its offense.” Carolina 36, Denver 21

Mike Reily, Burroughs: You’ve got the league’s No. 1-rated offense against the league’s No. 1-rated defense, so I’m expecting a good game. The coach in me says that Carolina has the edge ... but from a personal standpoint, I hope Peyton Manning and Denver win.” Carolina 24, Denver 14.

John Rome, Glendale Community College: “My heart says Peyton Manning will go out with a Super Bowl trophy. I’ll go with the Panthers, because I like the way they play. They’ve played strong all year.” Carolina 27, Denver 21.

Paul Schilling, Crescenta Valley: “Carolina — they are so explosive and Cam is a beast!” Carolina 27, Denver 7.

Ryan Zerbel, La Cañada: “The Panthers are a physical team. I think the game will play out the same way when the Broncos played the Seahawks (a 43-8 victory for Seattle in Super Bowl XLVIII).” Carolina 38, Denver 14.

Football Coaches: Carolina 8, Denver 1

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning throws the ball during practice at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto.

(Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)

Football Players

Sean Davitt, St. Francis defensive end, All-Area Football Player of the Year: “I think the Broncos will come out on top because of Peyton Manning. Peyton has been managing the team much better and he now has a defense to stop Cam Newton.” Denver 24, Carolina 21.

Tyler Hill, Crescenta Valley defensive back/quarterback, All-Area selection: “I think the Panthers will take it. Cam Newton will be the difference. The Broncos defense doesn’t have a defense for a QB as smart and athletic as him.” Carolina 31, Denver 17.

Steven Hubbell, Burroughs quarterback, All-Area selection: “I honestly think the Panthers are a better team, but the Broncos will win just because of the little superstition of the white jerseys. I read that the last 11 of 12 Super Bowl winners had white jerseys, so I’m going to go with that.” Denver 42, Carolina 35.

Nolan Jackson, Glendale Community College linebacker, all-conference selection: “I’m going with Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers because I like their style of play. I think things will go well for the Panthers when they have the ball.” Carolina 50, Denver 35.

Abraham Martinez, Glendale linebacker/running back, All-Area selection: “Cam Newton is beast, unlike any quarterback who’s played the game. Denver won’t be able to stop him.” Carolina 42, Denver 24.

Jessie Martinez, Hoover defensive/offensive lineman, All-Area selection: “I’ve got to go with the Panthers because they’ve just been unstoppable. I think it will be a close game, maybe by a touchdown.” Carolina 28, Denver 21.

Christian Posis, Bellarmine-Jefferson quarterback/wide receiver: “I really like the Panthers to win. I just think they have a better team and their defense and offense really work together. I think it’s going to be a pretty close game.” Carolina 20, Denver 14.

Andy Reyes, Burbank linebacker, All-Area selection: “I’m going to have to go with Carolina. I think their offense is a lot better and I don’t think the Broncos’ defense is going to be able to handle them.” Carolina 35, Denver 21.

Andrew Sarceda, La Cañada defensive back/wide receiver: “I hope the Panthers win. I think defensively and the Panthers have a pretty strong defense. Denver does, too, but Carolina’s is better.” Carolina 35, Denver 17.

Andrew Tsangeos, Flintridge Prep quarterback, All-Area selection: “Defensively, Carolina has the edge. Both teams are talented, but the Panthers defense has been better at making plays and causing turnovers. That’s what it’s going to come down to, who can create more turnovers?” Carolina 31, Denver 17.

Football Players: Carolina 8, Denver 2.

Final Score: Carolina 19, Denver 4.