It’s the most-watched event in the country. Casual and rabid football fans — and even many who only tune in once a year — will have their televisions fixated on the Super Bowl to watch the championship showdown between the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.

Folks all over Beaufort County will be watching along to see whether the Tom Brady led dynasty will earn another title, or if local star Justin Hardy and the Falcons can unseat the perennial champions. Parties will be hosted, and restaurants and bars will be packed. Even if one is only in it for the year’s best commercials, there’s something there Sunday evening for everyone.

Area football coaches have taken time to breakdown exactly what they expect and would like to see come 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. Here’s what they had to say.

 

Washington coach Jon Blank

What he likes most about the matchup:

“Well, you’ve got (Patriots coach Bill) Belichick. He and his staff, along with (Tom) Brady obviously do a great job planning for every single opponent. You’re going to get to see what kind of game plan they roll out for a great team like the Falcons. They’ve obviously been impressive on all sides of the ball this year.”

 

What is the most interesting part of the Falcons’ offense:

“They’re so dynamic and explosive. It seems like the perfect scheme for the perfect players. Matt Ryan is playing lights out right now. With the weapons he has, how can you not play lights out? They’re playing with a ton of confidence, and they’re kind of an exciting offense to watch right now.”

 

How Atlanta can stop the Patriots:

“Somehow, they have to do the difficult thing of getting Brady out of his game. I think that when he gets in a rhythm, there’s really no body better in the game of football. I think their staff and Brady does such a good job of scheming for an opponent. I thought (the conference championship) was a masterpiece.”

 

How he sees Justin Hardy factoring in:

“He could be that guy for the Falcons that is unknown maybe. He can be a guy that maybe has a standout performance. He’s good enough, and if he gets lost in the mix, he can come up with some plays. They really like him in the red zone. He could end up with the game-winning touchdown.”

 

PREDICTION: NEW ENGLAND 24, ATLANTA 21

Northside coach Keith Boyd

What he wants out of the Super Bowl:

“I just want a good game. This year’s NFL playoffs have been pretty lopsided one way or another, other than the Green Bay-Dallas game. I think everybody just wants to see a competitive game. It will be an interesting matchup.”

 

How he expects things to unfold:

“I think both offenses are really good. That’s what everyone is talking about. I think both team’s defense is pretty good. They’re both solid on both sides of the football or they wouldn’t be in the Super Bowl. They’ve both got good special teams. I think it’s going to be a tossup.”

 

What will be the determining factor of the game:

“I think it’s going to be the turnovers. If somebody commits a turnover, or somebody gets a pick-six, a turnover deep in the end where they don’t have to go very far. You look at Atlanta’s defense, they’re really good. As a matter of fact, I think it’s going to be a little bit more low scoring.”

 

What his favorite commercials are:

“I love the commercials. I’ve always been partial to the Budweiser commercials. They’ve always got some good ones. Pepsi has got some good ones. Them and Coke. It’s just as fun watching the new stuff they come out with as it is watching the ball game sometimes.”

 

Whether Justin Hardy will have an impact on the game:

“I think he’s going to be a sleeper. I think they’re going to try to take Julio Jones out of it and double team him a lot, so Justin Hardy and those guys are going to have to be key to the matchups. I think (Devonta Freeman) in the backfield is going to get to catch some balls in the flat. I think they’re going to find a way to loosen that double coverage and then hit Julio deep.”

 

PREDICTION: ATLANTA 20, NEW ENGLAND 17

Southside coach Jeff Carrow

What sticks out about this year’s game:

“Well, Atlanta’s got a really good offense and New England is New England. They’re always well rounded and it’s tough to beat Belichick. He’s had weeks to prepare. It’s hard to beat him in one week let alone two weeks.”

 

How Tom Brady’s experience will factor in:

“Brady’s got way more experience. We actually had a debate (Friday) in class with some of the ball players about greatest quarterbacks of all time. It’s hard not to put Brady in that between him and Joe Montana, in my opinion. Overall, Matt Ryan has played well this year, but it’s Tom Brady.”

 

What Atlanta needs to do to win:

“I think Atlanta’s run game is going to be key. If they’re going to win, they’ve got to be able to run the ball. Belichick is always key about stopping what you do best, but Atlanta is so balanced that it may be a tough problem for him. Atlanta has beat teams running the ball and beat teams throwing the ball.”

 

Why he likes watching the Falcons:

“With the dual-threat running backs, and having a tall big-time receiver with Julio Jones, they’ve incorporated a lot of play-action stuff. They’re getting away from all the spread stuff. They’re able to use multiple — whether it’s pro style, I set, whether it’s a spread set — they do multiple things on offense and always find a way.”

 

Why he hopes Justin Hardy can stand out:

“Obviously, for hometown connections. He’s an ECU grad, played right up the road at West Craven. Hopefully he shines.”

PREDICTION: ATLANTA 24, NEW ENGLAND 23