Tennessee is the sentimental favorite to win the Super Bowl, but the St. Louis Rams seem to be the pick according to area players and coaches.

Cathedral High head football coach Ken Beesley picks the RAms 24-17.

&uot;I think Marshall Faulk will make the difference,&uot;&160;Beesley said. &uot;I think somewhere along the way, the Rams are going to make the big play. I think they got their bad game out of the way against Tampa Bay last week. I know Tennessee has a good defense, but I think St. Louis will find a way to win.&uot;

Natchez High head football coach Elbert &uot;Mo&uot; Lyles said he finds it too hard to go against McNair.

&uot;I’ve got to pull for Tennessee, but if they win it won’t be by much,&uot; McNair said. &uot;As far as talent and all-around ability, the Rams have the talent, but I’m going to go with Tennessee 30-24.&uot;

Trinity Episcopal head football coach David King likes St. Louis 28-21.

&uot;They are the Cinderella story with Kurt Warner, although I do like McNair,&uot; King said.

Vidalia High head football coach Dee Faircloth likes the Rams by a 24-21 score.

&uot;I think it will come down to Marshall Faulk,&uot; Faircloth said. &uot;Of course I told Davey Crockett on the Alamo wall that the Mexicans would not make another run and he told me he would never call me for another prediction.&uot;

Ferriday High principal Anthony Moore, who played defensive tackle for Louisiana Tech, is picking Tennessee 24-17.

&uot;I like the defense players for the Titans,&uot; Moore said.

University of Louisiana-Lafayette head football coach Jerry Baldwin of Natchez picks Tennessee 24-20.

&uot;I think Tennessee’s defense is too good,&uot; Baldwin said. &uot;And McNair plays within the offense.&uot;

Ragin’ Cajun tight ends coach Cordell Bailey, who coached at Ferriday High, picks Tennessee 28-24.

&uot;Tennessee plays the Chicago Bear ’85 defense and McNair is now an extension of his college days,&uot; Bailey said. &uot;Tennessee is playing extremely well. Otherwise, it’s nice to see two fresh teams in the Super Bowl.&uot;

New Orleans Saints quarterback Jake Delhomme said he doesn’t really have a pick, but did say Tennessee is playing well.

&uot;Deep down I’m probably pulling for St. Louis because of Kurt Warner (a former World Football League teammate).

&uot;I’m just going to sit back and enjoy the game,&uot; Delhomme said.

Baltimore wide receiver Brandon Stokeley, a former USL&160;player who competed against both teams as a rookie this year, likes St. Louis 38-17.

&uot;I really wasn’t impressed with Tennessee’s defensive backs,&uot;&160;Stokeley said. &uot;St. Louis’ defensive backs are fast and they are playing on artificial turf.&uot;

Nicholls State head football coach Darryl Daye of Ferriday, La., is picking the Titans.

&uot;Everybody else is picking the Rams, but Tennessee just seems to be destined,&uot; Daye said. &uot;I like the Tennessee coach (Jeff Fisher)&160;better because he looks more intense and focused.&uot;

Daye is using the fact that both Super Bowl quarterbacks played at a I-AA schools (McNair at Alcorn and Kurt Warner at Northern Iowa) to help his future teams. Nicholls State is a I-AA school.

&uot;I think that’s amazing and I tell young guys to take a look at that,&uot; Daye said. &uot;It’s a good recruiting tool.&uot;

And my pick. Oops, almost out of room. Let me just say McNair and Jevon Kearse. Tennessee 24, St. Louis 17.

Joey Martin is sports editor of The Democrat. He can be reached by calling 446-5172 ext. 232 or at joey.martin@natchezdemocrat.com.

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