Armchair fans can’t wait to cheer their team

This year’s Super Bowl feels extra special because the Philadelphia Eagles always inspire passion, both for and against.

Die-hard fans from the area are gearing up for the big game. We asked them about how they have enjoyed the journey to the Super Bowl, and of course whether their team will win.

We also asked them what they’ll be doing Sunday night to celebrate the big game.

Joshua Eckman Patriots fan

Joshua Eckman of Lehighton has been a fan of the patriots since he was a kid. Now a 19-year-old freshman at Wilkes University, he’ll be watching the big game from his dorm room for the first time.

“I’m a Patriots fan; he’s a Vikings fan. He’s not huge on the Eagles,” Eckman said.

He doesn’t have any special celebrations planned if the Pats win — he has class Monday morning.

The Patriots’ dedication on the field and their players’ experience will propel them to victory, Eckman said. At the beginning of the year, he was not entirely sure whether this team would make it back to the Super Bowl, but as they gained more confidence, so did he.

“This is what they did the past couple seasons, started having some comeback games. In a lot of their playoff games, they were down early, but ended up coming back in the third or fourth quarter,” he said.

Eckman’s favorite moment in Patriots history is the goal line interception that sealed their win over the Seahawks in 2015 Super Bowl.

He is hoping for a win this year, knowing that quarterback Tom Brady is not getting any younger. Their chances for next year’s Super Bowl may be less than this year’s. Brady says he can play a few more years. Eckman’s a little concerned that time may catch up with him sooner than he thinks, but he’s impressed with what the quarterback has shown already.

“Obviously he’s getting older. For a quarterback to be 40 and playing in the NFL at the level he is playing, honestly, I think that’s pretty amazing,” Eckman said.

Kathy Schwartz Longtime Patriots fan

Kathy Schwartz has been going to Patriots games since she was in junior high.

Now, she gets to enjoy her team along with her own children.

A lifelong Patriots fan, the Jim Thorpe resident will be watching intently this Sunday.

Her favorite Patriots memory is the 2002 Super Bowl, the team’s first.

“The first was the best,” she said.

Her favorite player is, not surprisingly, Tom Brady, but she says the big reason why her team will win is Coach Bill Belichick, who she regards as the best ever.

“He has a knack for turning average players into heroes, and this Sunday we will see some more heroes rise to the challenge,” she said.

Matt Arner

Heart is with Eagles

Matt Arner calls Lehighton home, but Philadelphia is where his heart is.

He’s finalizing plans for the big game, but hoping to spend it with fellow police officers at the FOP Lodge in Center City.

“A lot of my brothers and sisters from the Philadelphia Police Dept., they’ll probably be very busy, but we’ll be behind them,” he said.

The fervor around this year’s team reminds him somewhat of his favorite Eagles memory — enjoying the run up to the 1981 Super Bowl as a kid with his dad. That year, the entire city was united, wearing green and you couldn’t go far without seeing Eagles banners and posters. What makes it even more special, he said, was that it was all done without the Internet.

“Living that way before Facebook, before social media was just incredible,” he said.

This team is a special group of players in Arner’s mind. He was concerned at the start of the year with the loss of some key players, but the team bounced back with the play of Carson Wentz. When Wentz went down in Week 14, the uncertainty crept in again, but Arner has always had faith in Nick Foles.

“I thought 4 years ago he was gonna take us to the Super Bowl, unfortunately through some bad trades, that didn’t happen. It’s just nice that he could have a part of it,” Arner said.

Plus, there’s optimism that Wentz will continue to lead the team to success in years to come.

Arner’s fully embraced the underdog mentality — not only does he have a pug, he’s also got a pug mask.

“I feel so strongly we were those underdogs. Whether we win or lose, we were the team no one expected to win,” he said.

Aaron Sebelin Always an Eagles fan

As principal at Shull-David and Mahoning elementaries, Aaron Sebelin has been sharing his Eagles fandom with his students.

This week, the school is having a spirit week. Sebelin plays “Fly Eagles Fly” during the morning announcements, and gives students a fact about the organization each day. He said the Eagles’ team mentality has been a good motivator for students as well.

“It’s kind of cool having kindergarten kids lining up for the bus and doing the Eagles chant,” he said.

Not only is it the Super Bowl this weekend, it’s his birthday, so they’ll be having twice the fun at his house. The game will be on the TV in the living room and man cave, and the cake will be Eagles themed. As a special present, he’s expecting a FaceTime call from his nephew, who will be working at the game for the NFL.

Sebelin has been to numerous Eagles games, regular season and playoffs, with his father, friends, and now his children. He used to visit the team’s preseason camp at Lehigh University.

But the best game he’s been to was this year’s NFC championship with his kids, which he called the most electrifying experience by far.

He’s hopeful the Eagles’ momentum can carry into next season and beyond, with a healthy Carson Wentz and if Doug Pederson continues to build on what he’s shown his first two years in Philly.

“They just seem to be top notch guys in addition to great football players,” he said.

Kenneth Troxell 50-year Eagles fan

Like a lot of Eagles fans, Kenneth Troxell’s favorite moments are when the team beats Dallas at home.

Troxell, of Slatington, has been a fan for 50 years.

His favorite player is none other than Nick Foles.

Why?

“He is going to lead us to victory,” Troxell said.

Randy Borda Likes Carson Wentz

Randy Borda has been an Eagles fan for 50 years. But this has been the most memorable season for him, because the team fought through injuries to get to the Super Bowl.

The Catasauqua resident thinks the team will win because of the potential for their offensive and defensive lines to dominate the game.

While he won’t be playing in Sunday’s game, Carson Wentz is Borda’s favorite player.

“He is the future, and should lead the Eagles to a couple more Super Bowls,” Borda said.

Mary Russo Divided family

Mary Russo, of Lehighton, is excited about the game and will be hosting a party for family members who will be celebrating both teams.

“My son is a big Eagles fan, and the other son and me are Patriot fans.”

The Russos will be splurging on giant 3-foot-long subs, wings and pigs in the blanket, and all the trimmings.

The party should go well, since they did a little pregaming by hosting a Pre-Super Bowl party during the NFC Championship games.