Like sports fans in the rest of New England, Boxford and North Andover residents are gearing up for the Super Bowl next Sunday. Here are some interviews with passionate local families.
BOXFORD
The Jamieson family
It's easy to tell that the Jamieson family are Patriots fans: their youngest son Colin, 9, has made red, white and blue signs that say "Go Pats!" for the front door of their Boxford home and their dog, Brady, is named for No. 12, Tom Brady.
Parents Paul and Michelle, and sons Patrick,17, Evan, 14, and Colin, watch every game together on the big screen TV in their living room. The boys invite friends over and everyone wears their Pats gear. The family even has a Brady jersey autographed by the dimpled-chin quarterback himself, and Michelle makes chili and cornbread.
Describe the atmosphere at your home when the Pats game is on:
Evan: Very tense.
Patrick: Very loud | dad is usually the loudest.
What makes the Pats so good?
Patrick: Tom Brady always doesn't give credit to himself, but his team. They have a lot of power on both offense and defense.
Evan: And the offensive line gives Brady so much time to throw the ball.
Super Bowl predictions?
Patrick: The only thing I know is that the Pats will win and Eli Manning will cry.
Evan: I think it will be a blowout.
Paul: I think it will be close, only a touchdown difference. If they win, they will be the greatest team of all time | the most perfect season in football history. It's an amazing accomplishment.
Why do you love the Patriots?
Colin: They really put all their effort into it, and they always win.
Michelle: Their sportsmanship | they are great role models for the kids, how they handle themselves.
Evan: I like the red, white and blue colors, and also because they represent all of New England, not just one state.
Paul: Belichick expects the same out of every player. Everybody on the team is equal. And sportsmanship is a huge thing in our house. (Paul coaches multiple sports teams in town, and the boys play several sports as well.)
Favorite players?
Colin: Asante Samuel.
Evan and Patrick: Wes Welker.
Michelle: Tom Brady.
Paul: Randy Moss.
The Hilton family
The Hiltons can describe the atmosphere of their Boxford home during a Patriots game with one adjective: "loud!"
"Sometimes you have to leave the room after a big play to get your hearing back," said Zach Hilton, 16, the oldest of David and Patti Hilton's three children.
Every time the Pats play, the Hilton family watches the game together at home, often with aunts and other extended family. They also record every game, so they can go back and review their favorite plays or not-so-favorite referee calls.
"We're all very much into the game. We don't just glance at the TV," said David with a smile. "Everybody's living and breathing football around here. When the season's over, that's a bad time."
Zach and younger brother, Drew, 9, both play football in Masconomet leagues and sister Olivia, 12, is a cheerleader.
Super Bowl predictions?
Drew: I think it's going to be a close game, but we'll win.
David: I say the Pats win by 10.
Zach: I think it's going to come down to a field goal.
Olivia: I don't want to say anything to jinx it!
What makes the Pats so good?
Zach: Bill Belichick: he makes every game a big game, and the players a unit, a real team.
Drew: Tom Brady!
David: It's team first for them, it's not about individuals.
Why do you love the Patriots?
David: Zach and I both love the game of football overall, and they just play the game how it supposed to be played.
Zach: And their linemen are like a bunch of lumberjacks.
Favorite players?
Drew: Randy Moss.
Olivia: Tedy Bruschi.
Zach: Bruschi. He's an animal when he's in the mood.
David: Mike Vrabel.
NORTH ANDOVER
Diana Uttley, North Andover resident, fifth-grade teacher, Franklin Elementary
As you walk down the hallway at Franklin Elementary, the classroom of Diana Uttley, Patriots superfan and a fifth-grade teacher is unmistakable. A sign declaring 18-0 is posted outside her door, and a cutout of Tom Brady counts down the days to Feb. 3.
On Fridays, her class is allowed to paint their faces red, white and blue | but they aren't allowed to say the name of that week's opposing team, because that might jinx the Pats, said Uttley with a smile.
"The fact of the matter is, I grew up being a fan, actually raised as a fan. A die-hard fan. I love the Pats and always will," she said.
Why do you love the Patriots?
I have five brothers, and we grew up watching football. We used to watch it on TV with our dad. I've always said if I were a boy, I'd play football!
I love the way they embrace the game. People really respect them for who they are and what they've done. They're a real team. If they were losing, I'd still be watching.
What makes the Patriots so good?
They have a goal, they set their mind to it and they rally around each other. There is an ultimate respect between the players and the coaches.
Super Bowl prediction?
32-28 Pats, no overtime. I think what they've accomplished is amazing, but there's this one more game.
Ellen Peters, North Andover native and fourth-grade teacher at Franklin Elementary
Since she was growing up in North Andover, watching and rooting for the Pats with her family has always been part of the bargain, said Ellen Peters. Her family would always order Chinese food to watch the Super Bowl together. Her dad, William Boutilier retired last year after 34 years as a social studies teacher and assistant principal in North Andover.
"Growing up, my dad was always the typical pessimist Boston sports fan. I was eternally optimistic, I like rooting for the underdog. This year it was weird (not to be the underdog team)," she said.
How do you tie the Patriots into lessons with your students?
On Fridays, we don't have specials, like art or music, so we usually do a Patriots-themed activity. We've made up Patriots cheers and made Patriots hats and placemats.
Favorite players?
Tom Brady, Tedy Bruschi | he plays with a lot of heart | and Wes Welker.
Why are the Pats so good?
They play as a team and are always working hard. It's not about being superstars for them. They seem like regular guys that work hard and love what they do. All their talent just comes together.
If you were lucky enough to score tickets to the big game in Glendale, Ariz., Town Crossings and The Eagle-Tribune wants to know.
We're looking for New England Patriots fans | and New York Giants fans | who are going to the Super Bowl and would be willing to talk to a reporter while in Arizona. If you fit the bill, please contact reporter J.J. Huggins at jhuggins@eagletribune.com or by phone at 978-946-2134.
