The tradition continues: Well, for now anyway.
Today is the day The Times-Tribune All-Region Football Team takes over Grid Picks. For a 12th consecutive season, the players were asked to submit which team they think will win the Super Bowl and why.
This year’s game features the New England Patriots taking on the Seattle Seahawks in a battle that has NEPA interest. Lakeland graduate CJ Dippre is a tight end on the Patriots’ 53-man roster. That certainly impacted the Lakeland players’ picks, as we will see later.
The game is also a rematch of the 2014 Super Bowl. That was the first time the All-Region team was asked to select the winner. That season, the players, who by the way are now in their late 20s, correctly selected the Patriots to beat the Seahawks. That group can thank coach Pete Carroll for passing on the 1-yard line when he had Marshawn Lynch in the backfield.
Last season, the All-Region team overwhelmingly chose the Philadelphia Eagles to beat the Kansas City Chiefs.
All-Region teams have successfully picked the Super Bowl winner six times in 11 tries. That is not too bad.
Here is a look back at how the legends of the past did:
PAST PICKS / WINNERS
2014 AR TEAM: PATRIOTS over Seahawks / WINNER: PATRIOTS
* 2015 AR TEAM: PANTHERS over Broncos / WINNER: BRONCOS
2016 AR TEAM: PATRIOTS over Falcons / WINNER: PATRIOTS
2017 AR TEAM: EAGLES over Patriots / WINNER: EAGLES
* 2018 AR TEAM: RAMS over Patriots / WINNER: PATRIOTS
* 2019 AR TEAM: 49ERS over Chiefs / WINNER: CHIEFS
2020 AR TEAM: BUCCANEERS over Chiefs / WINNER: BUCCANEERS
2021 AR TEAM: RAMS over Bengals / WINNER: RAMS
* 2022 AR TEAM: EAGLES over Chiefs / WINNER: CHIEFS
* 2023 AR TEAM: 49ERS over Chiefs / WINNER: CHIEFS
2024 AR TEAM: EAGLES over Chiefs / WINNER: EAGLES
The All-Region teams have successfully chosen the winner in 2024, 2021, 2020, 2017, 2016 and 2014.
They failed in 2019, 2018, 2015, 2022 and 2023.
We thank the coaches for their help in putting this together this season. It is always a lot of fun to see how the young players view the biggest game in their sport.
So without further ado, here is how this year’s team sees it playing out Sunday night:
Lackawanna Trail’s Isaac Ryon escapes a pack of Tri-Valley defenders during the PIAA District 2 Class 1A championship game at Lions Pride Stadium in Factoryville Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
AWARD WINNERS
This year’s Players of the Year and the Coach of the Year differ on their picks. North Pocono defensive back Cole West and his coach, Greg Dolhon, are going with the Patriots. Record-setting running back Isaac Ryon picked the Seahawks. Ryon is a repeat member of the All-Region team. He chose the Eagles last season, so he is looking to stay undefeated in his choices.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
ISAAC RYON
Lackawanna Trail, RB
Pick: Seattle Seahawks
Why: The Seahawks are going to win the Super Bowl this year. Their defense is top-tier, the run game is clicking and Sam Darnold is on a rampage. It’s also time they get back at the Patriots for what happened before.
North Pocono’s Cole West runs for a touchdown in the end of the first quarter against Delaware Valley at Trojan Stadium in Moscow Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
COLE WEST
North Pocono, Secondary
Pick: New England Patriots, 31-17
Why: Possible MVP Drake Maye leads the way.
North Pocono Head Coach Greg Dolhon points to the fans after defeating Bishop Shanahan in a PIAA Class 4A first-round game at Jack Mancini Field in Downingtown Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
COACH OF THE YEAR
GREG DOLHON
North Pocono
Pick: New England Patriots, 17-14
Why: Drake Maye runs for a couple of big first downs, and turnovers by (Sam) Darnold.
Ticker: Patriots 2, Seahawks 1
Abington Heights’ Nick Bradley passes against Valley View at Abington Heights football stadium in S. Abington Twp. Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
REPEAT PICKS
One player is picking the Super Bowl for a third straight season. Abington Heights senior Nick Bradley is 1-1 in two previous choices. He incorrectly had the San Francisco 49ers over the Kansas City Chiefs, and last season evened his record by picking the Philadelphia Eagles over the Chiefs.
Ryon has already been mentioned. He is 1-0 after he picked the Eagles last season.
Lackawanna Trail lineman Lucas Evans (1-0), Abington Heights defensive end Cayd Sespico (1-0), Riverside lineman Tavian Branch (1-0) and Delaware Valley running back Mike Iuzzolino (1-0) all selected the Eagles to win last season.
Dunmore defensive back Weston Yannone (0-1), Scranton Prep athlete Will McPartland (0-1) and Riverside kicker Santino D’Amico (0-1) were not as accurate. Both chose the Chiefs last season.
Here is how they see this year’s game going:
NICK BRADLEY
Abington Heights, Quarterback
Pick: New England Patriots
Why: Tom Brady was my favorite quarterback, and I think Drake Maye has the same attitude and similar play. The Patriots have played hard all season, and I think that will carry them to a win this year.
LUCAS EVANS
Lackawanna Trail, Offensive line
Pick: Seattle Seahawks
Why: I am picking the Seattle Seahawks to win Super Bowl LX based only on their dominant defense, and while it may be cool to have a flashy offense that can make big-time plays at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how many points you can score if you can’t stop the other team. As Coach Stage says, “defense wins championships.”
CAYD SESPICO
Abington Heights, Defensive line-Tight end
Pick: New England Patriots, 22-17
Why: I think the Patriots will pull it off. Both teams have a good quarterback, but I think maybe the Patriots have a better-skilled package than the Seahawks, along with their defense, to hold off the Seahawks’ offense.
TAVIAN BRANCH
Riverside, Defensive line
Pick: Seattle Seahawks
Why: I have been a Seahawks fan my whole life.
MIKE IUZZOLINO
Delaware Valley, Running back
Pick: Seattle Seahawks
Why: The Seahawks defense will lock down the New England offense.
WESTON YANNONE
Dunmore, Secondary
Pick: Seattle Seahawks
Why: The Seahawks have a strong defense, especially their defensive line, which is capable of pressuring opposing quarterbacks. Sam Darnold has shown he can lead the offense effectively, and the receiving corps is talented. If they can maintain consistent offensive production and the defense gets key stops, they have the best chance to win the Super Bowl.
WILL McPARTLAND
Scranton Prep, Athlete
Pick: New England Patriots, 28-24
Why: Drake Maye is the MVP.
SANTINO D’AMICO
Riverside, Punter
Pick: Seattle Seahawks, 35-17
Pick: The Patriots offense can’t get through the Seattle defense.
Ticker: Seahawks 6, Patriots 5
Former Alabama tight end CJ Dippre catches a pass from former Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe during passing drills at Alabama’s NFL football pro day, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
NO SURPRISE HERE
Lakeland graduate CJ Dippre is a tight end on the New England Patriots’ 53-man roster. He is admired and looked up to by the football community. Many of the Lakeland players from this year’s team would be in the stands cheering when CJ led the team to the 2020 District 2 Class 3A championship.
All of the Chiefs’ players, who helped lead the program to the 2024 District 2 Class 2A championship, on the All-Region team chose the Patriots to win the Super Bowl.
CHASE ROSENKRANS
Lakeland, Wide receiver
Pick: New England Patriots
Why: Mike Vrabel, the coach, has brought that team together and has instilled a can’t-lose attitude. I would also like to see Lakeland’s very own CJ Dippre win.
WESTON LOOMIS
Lakeland, Offensive line
Pick: New England Patriots
Why: I trust Drake Maye more than Sam Darnold. Best of Luck to Lakeland’s own CJ Dippre.
DAVID NANIEWICZ
Lakeland, Athlete
Pick: New England Patriots
Why: They are well-coached, and I think the defense can shut down Seattle. Drake Maye needs to step up. Big shout-out to #82 (CJ Dippre), best of luck!
JACKSON POCHAS
Lakeland, Secondary
Pick: New England Patriots
Why: I believe in the young, explosive QB Drake Maye. On the other side of the ball, their DBs are very good. I believe Gonzalez will lock up JSN. Best of luck to CJ Dippre, as well.
Ticker: Patriots 9, Seahawks 6
Chase and Cole Zimmerman on the field at North Pocono Middle School on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
TORN WITHIN
North Pocono had a family this season bond on its way to a school-record 13 wins, and Lackawanna Football Conference Division I, and District 2 Class 4A championships.
Cole West and coach Greg Dolhon both picked the Patriots to win the Super Bowl. In the Zimmerman household, they will be cheering against each other.
COLE ZIMMERMAN
North Pocono, Offensive line
Pick: New England Patriots, 24-21
Why: Defense controls the game, and a late pick by Gonzalez.
CHASE ZIMMERMAN
North Pocono, Secondary
Pick: Seattle Seahawks, 28-24
Why: Jaxon Smith-Njigba will have a huge day.
Note: It wasn’t quite clear, but in his response, it seems the Patriots are Cole’s favorite team, so that should make for an interesting Super Bowl party.
North Pocono quarterback Chase Zimmerman hugs teammate Evan Wolff (31) after defeating Bishop Shanahan in a PIAA Class 4A first-round game at Jack Mancini Field in Downingtown Friday, Nov. 14, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The other North Pocono players also chose Seattle:
EVAN WOLFF
North Pocono, Linebacker
Pick: Seattle Seahawks, 24-21
Why: Sam Darnold is legit, and nobody can cover (Jaxon Smith-Njigba).
JOSIAH GRAY
North Pocono, Running back
Pick: Seattle Seahawks, 28-14
Why: The Seahawks defense will be key early and will make adjustments at halftime.
That means the game is a pick ‘em among the North Pocono contingent.
Ticker: Patriots 10, Seahawks 9
Lackawanna Trail’s Blake Stage, right, and Isaac Ryon celebrate after Ryon scored a touchdown in the first half at Riverside Veterans Memorial Stadium in Taylor Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
LIONS #BSWAT
The BSWAT group from Lackawanna Trail, which helped win the LFC Division III and District 2 Class 1A championships, is almost all on the same page when it comes to choosing the Super Bowl winner.
Ryon and Evans, as mentioned above, both chose the Seahawks. There were four other Lions picked on the All-Region team. Linebackers Tyler Jervis and Colin Owens and defensive lineman Blake Stage selected the Seahawks. Only guard Anthony Paolucci believes in the Patriots.
BLAKE STAGE
Lackawanna Trail, Offensive line
Pick: Seattle Seahawks
Why: My Super Bowl prediction is the Seahawks winning, 31-13, against the Patriots. First off, Kenneth Walker is a “DAWG” #GoGreenGoWhite. Second, the Seahawks defense is such a good group that the stats are getting compared to the old Legion of Boom team from 2012-2015. Lastly, the Darnold-to-Jaxon Smith-Njigba connection has been elite, and I see some big pass catches coming from JSN.
TYLER JERVIS
Lackawanna Trail, Linebacker
Pick: Seattle Seahawks
Why: My Super Bowl prediction is that the Seahawks will be victorious. I believe this for a few reasons. 1) The Seahawks have a better defense, and they have the #1 scoring defense, which could sway the momentum to the Seahawks, as well as putting points on the board. 2) The Patriots offense is in a slight slump, and Drake Maye tweaked his shoulder. 3) The Seahawks are going to want revenge for the 2015 Super Bowl.
COLIN OWENS
Lackawanna Trail, Linebacker
Pick: Seattle Seahawks
Why: The Seahawks are going to pull it off. While Drake Maye is an X-factor, the Seahawks have a better overall team. They may also have some revenge on their minds from the Super Bowl in 2015.
ANTHONY PAOLUCCI
Lackawanna Trail, Offensive line
Pick: New England Patriots
Why: A well-known program has a really good offense and defense.
Ticker: Seahawks 12, Patriots 11
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold throws during the first half of the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
LEANING ON DARNOLD AND THE HAWKS DEFENSE
Several offensive players are going with the Seahawks, basically because of quarterback Sam Darnold. While they play on offense, the All-Region athletes are very aware of how good the Seahawks are on defense.
GABE DUDA
Honesdale, Fullback
Pick: Seattle Seahawks
Why: They have one of, if not the, best defenses in the league. Lately, in the playoffs, Drake Maye hasn’t been playing the best in high-pressure games. Darnold has better receivers to hit than Maye does, and the Seahawks run game has been dominant in the playoffs. If the Seahawks can have long sustained drives, they will definitely win.
GAVIN ANDERS
Abington Heights, Wide receiver
Pick: Seattle Seahawks
Why: Drake Maye is young, and Sam Darnold has the experience. The Seahawks have one of the best defenses this year. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the best wide receiver this year, and he will be a factor in this game. The Seahawks have revenge on their mind, which I feel is a big factor coming into the game.
TREY NEWTON
Delaware Valley, Wide receiver
Pick: Seattle Seahawks, 24-17
Why: It will be a defensive game. The Seahawks defense is stronger than the Patriots.
REAGAN DECKER
Delaware Valley, Kicker
Pick: Seattle Seahawks, 24-21
Why: The Seahawks are going to win on a field goal with three seconds left.
JUSTIN ESTEVEZ
Delaware Valley, Linebacker
Pick: Seattle Seahawks, 31-14
Why: First in points against and third in scoring. They will be too much for the Patriots.
JEFFREY WASILCHAK
Valley View, Linebacker
Pick: Seattle Seahawks
Why: I think the Seahawks will win because the Patriots haven’t been able to get the offense going lately. The Seahawks have a pretty solid defense.
Ticker: Seahawks 18, Patriots 11
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) passes against the New York Jets during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
PATRIOTS PRIDE
These players have varying reasons, but are leaning toward the Patriots. They believe that Drake Maye can lead the franchise back to its championship tradition.
JAMIE STINER
Wallenpaupack, Offensive line
Pick: New England Patriots
Why: They play great defense, and Drake Maye’s wife makes great cooking videos.
ANTHONY DE LOS SANTOS
Scranton Prep, Defensive Line
Pick: New England Patriots
Why: I love their defense, and Drake Maye is becoming a helluva quarterback. He’s better than Sam Darnold in my opinion.
XAVIER BURKE
Dunmore, Linebacker
Pick: New England Patriots
Why: I know the Patriots are going to win the Super Bowl because Drake Maye is secretly Tom Brady’s clone and has the same clutch factor in the playoffs. Tom Brady lives through Drake Maye, and I have confidence in the goat Tom Brady to do what he does best. I predict Drake Maye will win the Super Bowl, Tom Brady style.
BRAYDEN ROSE
Riverside, Secondary
Pick: New England Patriots
Why: Drake Maye is going to be able to do whatever he wants.
Ticker: Seahawks 18, Patriots 15.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) celebrates with quarterback Drew Lock (2) after the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
THE VERDICT
The New England Patriots are playing in the Super Bowl for the fifth time since this project started with the 2014 team. All-Region players picked the Patriots in 2014 and 2016, and were against them in 2017 and 2018.
The Patriots are 3-1 in Super Bowls since the All-Region team started picking the game.
This season, the All-Region team favors the NFC champion Seattle Seahawks.
It was an even split, 8-8, among players chosen to the All-Region offense. Ten defensive players chose the Seahawks. Six defenders selected the Patriots. Coach of the Year Greg Dolhon also picked the Patriots.
Hopefully, this tradition will continue next season.
Enjoy the game.