by Jill Hindman
by Jill Hindman
assistant features editor
Tampa, FL, was the place to be this past weekend.
As the Budweiser Blimp floated over Raymond James Stadium, the host to Super Bowl XXXV, it had the perfect bird’s-eye view of the battle between the Baltimore Ravens and the New York Giants.
The Giant’s uniforms could not have been a more perfect color, because blue is how they looked after the gleaming white Ravens defeated them. The Ravens won the game 34-7.
“Even though we lost, it was a good year for New York fans. We won the World Series and made it to the Super Bowl,” said sophomore Kit Hillin.
The first quarter ended 7-0, and the Ravens were in the lead. Brandon Stokey, who caught a 38-yard pass from quarterback Trent Dilfer, made the first touchdown of the game. Baltimore did not let New York take the lead, not even for a second.
” I thought the Giants were going to win this one, but I was glad to see the Ravens come out on top,” said junior John Ferrise.
Only three wildcard teams have ever won a Super Bowl: the Raiders in 1980; the Broncos in 1997; and now the Ravens.
“I was rooting for the Ravens because the Giants beat the Eagles in the playoffs,” said junior Colleen Lampart.
The Ravens had the strongest defense in the NFL this season.
“They only allowed 181 points scored against them during the regular season,” explained junior Todd Monroe. In the third quarter Ron Dixon scored the only touchdown the Giants had in the entire game.
With 8 minutes, 45 seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Giants head coach, Jim Fossil, challenged the Raven’s third touchdown made by Jamal Lewis. After referee Jerry Austin reviewed the play and deemed the touchdown valid, it was noted that this was the first rushing touchdown made by a rookie in 13 years.
With 2 minutes remaining in the game the Ravens sideline was filled with smiles, hugs and handshakes. Leading 34-7, there was no question the game was over.
At this point there was no way the Giants
could make a comeback.
The game ended with three seconds left on the clock. Fireworks went off, confetti fell from the sky and “We Are the Champions” played as the Ravens embraced one another to celebrate their victory.
Raven Ray Lewis, who had seven tackles throughout the game, was named MVP.
“He definitely deserved MVP of the game,” agreed senior John Amerman. “Ray Lewis is the best player in the NFL right now.”
And the Baltimore Ravens are the best team in the NFL. They have the Vince Lombardi trophy to prove it.
