The Millstone Times March 2020

KIDS

Max's Minute Super Bowl 2020 By Max Druckman

¡Bienvenidos a Miami! Super Bowl LIV (54) was held on February 2, 2020, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida and was certainly a memorable one. The dynamic Kansas City Chiefs took on the powerful San Francisco 49ers. Miami, as always, was electric and alive serving as the perfect host for this whirlwind extravaganza. The Kansas City Chiefs of the American Football Conference were making just their sec- ond Super Bowl appearance and their first in 50 years since defeating the Minnesota Vi- kings in Super Bowl IV. The Chiefs are veterans of the first-ever Super Bowl, losing to the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl I. The Chiefs had come close to the big game in 2018-19, losing in the AFC Championship Game in overtime to the eventual champion New En- gland Patriots. This season, the Chiefs were among the favorites to win it all right out of the gate. They did not disappoint, with a 12 and 4 record in the regular season. The Chiefs won their fourth straight AFC West Division title and clinched the second seed in the AFC, promising them a first-round bye. The Chiefs’ potent offense was headlined by reigning MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes, speedy wide receiver Tyreek Hill, and a rock-solid

offensive line. Their top tier defense was led by superstar safety Tyrann Mathieu and a defensive line that all quarterbacks feared, fronted by Frank Clark and Chris Jones. Rounding out the Chiefs’ squad was veteran head coach Andy Reid. Reid had taken the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl in 2004-05 and was widely regarded as one of the best coaches to never win the big game. Kansas City mounted very impressive comebacks against the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans in the playoffs to book their tickets to Miami. The San Francisco 49ers were at the opposite end of the spectrum. The ‘Niners went 4 and 12 in 2018-19 and did not have very high expectations entering this season. Big-money quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo missed time with injury and the defense failed to find a spark. In contrast, this season, Jimmy G led a balanced offense including All-Pro tight end George Kittle, talented wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Emmanuel Sanders, and underdog running back RaheemMostert that taunted defenses across the NFL. San Fran’s defense was headed by rookie end Nick Bosa who scared quarterbacks with his many sacks and veteran Pro-Bowl cornerback Richard Sherman, who had Super Bowl experience with the Seattle Seahawks. Calling the shots was young head coach Kyle Shanahan, son of Super Bowl-winning coach Mike Shanahan. The 49ers went 13-3 to win the NFCWest. They crushed the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers in the postseason en route to Miami. Super Bowl LIV was their seventh big game appearance and their shot at a record-tying sixth win. The stage was set! All eyes turned to Miami as it hosted its league-leading 11th Super Bowl. After Demi Lovato’s magnificent rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner and the customary flyover, Robbie Gould of the 49ers kicked off football’s biggest night. One possession later, Gould was the hero, as he kicked a field goal to put his side up 3-0. The Chiefs came roaring right back, as Patrick Mahomes led them 75 yards down the field and personally ran a touchdown in to give Chiefs Kingdom a 7-3 lead. To start the second quarter, Chiefs cornerback Bashaud Breeland intercepted a Garoppolo pass to give the Chiefs back the ball. A long completion to Sammy Watkins, followed by a Harrison Butker field goal, extended the Chiefs lead to 10-3. San Francisco drove right back to the endzone, and a Jimmy Garoppolo pass to fullback Kyle Juszczyk tied the game 10-10 at the half. The game was neck and neck, no clear winner could be seen at the half. Following an amazing halftime performance by Jennifer Lopez and Shakira that reflected Miami’s Hispanic culture, Samuel, Sanders, and Juszczyk led the 49ers down the field for a Gould field goal to take a 13-10 lead. Linebacker Fred Warner intercepted Mahomes on the next Chiefs’ drive, a rarity for a quar- terback of Mahomes’ caliber. The 49ers took advantage and RaheemMostert put the finishing touches on a drive that gave the ‘Niners a 20-10 lead going into the fourth quarter. Mahomes would not give up though, as he took his team to the San Francisco 23 yard line, only to be intercepted by Travarious Moore, making it seem all but certain that San Francisco had won. Mahomes responded once again, however, throwing a 44-yard pass to Tyreek Hill to put his side deep into 49ers territory. A touchdown to tight end Travis Kelce followed, putting KC right back in the ballgame. The Chiefs forced the 49ers to punt on their next possession and Mahomes once again took his team to a touchdown on a Damien Williams run, giving them the lead. San Francisco, in return, took the ball into Chiefs territory. However, a Frank Clark sack turned the ball over on downs, giving Kansas City the pigskin with 1:33 left in the game. Williams ran for another touchdown on the ensuing drive, extending the lead to 31-20. On the 49ers last chance drive, Kendall Fuller picked off Garoppolo to seal the deal for the Chiefs. Mahomes won the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player award, becoming the second African American quarterback to win a Super Bowl, and Chief ’s Kingdom rejoiced in the glory of their first title in 50 years! Coach Andy Reid cemented his legacy as one of the best coaches ever by adding a Super Bowl title to his resumé. It was an amazing game, featuring a thrilling comeback, that gave a long overdue championship to a historic franchise. The Chiefs and their fans said “¡Adios, Miami!” with a coveted Lombardi Trophy in their grasp.

18 The Millstone Times

March 2020