VIDALIA, La. &045; Almost 54.6 million Americans were expected to attend Super Bowl parties this year, according to a Retail Federation study.

And at first glance, it seemed at least half of them were at Chris Walden’s house early Sunday afternoon, getting a jump on the game and on their eating.

One could hear the din of conversation from the street, and knocking on the door produced a crowd of his fellow Vidalia highschoolers. &uot;Just a party, that’s all,&uot; Walden said, surrounded by eight partygoers and his younger brother.

But by game time, more than 20 teens were estimated to show up for kickoff.

Predictions, like chicken wings, weren’t in short supply at Walden’s house Sunday. &uot;It’ll be the Eagles, 30 to 10,&uot; said one partygoer.

&uot;Sixty to four,&uot; said another, eliciting a shout of &uot;Be reasonable!&uot; from still another of Walden’s friends.

&uot;I predict the stadium is going to fall apart and the game will have to be called off,&uot; said one teen, his arms spread high and wide to show the expanse of the destruction.

Even without such a show, they wouldn’t miss the year’s biggest game, so they retreated to the living room to get ready.

After all, there were plenty of snacks to be consumed &045; the favorites including meatballs and fried chicken.

&uot;Don’t touch the chicken wings, though,&uot; one called out as they made their back into the house. &uot;Those are mine.&uot;