Blake Udland, Cross Country

You didn't think you were going to get through the fall without hearing the name Udland did you? Millburn's young runner finished third in the county championship on Friday at Brookdale Park. Udland ran a 15:43.

Sophia Gizzi, Field Hockey

Gizzi scored the winning goal in overtime against the Cranford Cougars on Thursday and propelled the locals into the second round for the first time since 2005.

Miller Minutes

Just like that the fall regular season is coming to an end and the postseason is revving up. Both soccer teams received very good seeds in their tournaments, both getting home games to start, and both look like cinches to win. Their second round games will likely be on the road, but remember the American Division for both teams is one of the best divisions in the state. The Millers are pretty seasoned.

There is something to be said about going in feeling good about yourselves. The boys nearly pulled off a stunning upset over Seton Hall Prep, the number one team in the state and nation, and got a 1-1 tie. The girls beat Montclair again and guaranteed themselves a share of the American Division championship.

The girls tennis season came to an end and, again, they won multiple championships. I say it all the time, but it's amazing how consistent this team is year after year. When you consider they are losing one player to graduation, you have to think they'll be great again next year.

The turnaround of Millburn's field hockey team may be the story of this fall for the Millers. They began the season 1-3 and did not look very good losing those games by a combined score of 8-3. It included a stretch where they scored one goal in three games. But the play of their defense steadied the ship and now are a very difficult out after advancing in the first round. Hopewell Valley is the top seed and unbeaten this season. A win on Wednesday would be a stunning upset. But when you can play defense you have a chance. Millburn has given up more than one goal in a game just once in the last month.

Friday's loss to Belleville was a punch in the gut that the Millburn football team didn't need. They were up at the half and just wore down toward the end of the game, as has been the story for the last two seasons. The bottom line is they need more bodies, no matter how well they play. Eliminate the freshmen team and join it with the junior varsity squad to add numbers to the varsity roster. Something needs to be done. With just one winning season since 1972, it's clear whatever they're doing is not working.

Three most important games of the week

1. Girls soccer vs. Belleville, first round sectional tournament, Tuesday—Belleville is not a very good team, and the Millburn girls should handle them nicely. This is a group that has not quite lived up to expectations this season and a big win on Tuesday could start to change that.

2. Boys soccer vs. East Side, first round sectional tournament, Monday—The Millers beat East Side 6-0 to start the season, then lost to Columbia in the next game 4-2. Meanwhile, East Side tied Columbia 0-0 a few games later. The East Side boys are not that good, but if you let them hang around they will steal one from you.

3. Cross Country Sectionals, Saturday—Blake Udland's third place finish in the county championship meet coupled with a ninth place finish by freshman Robert Stone make the boys a sleeper this weekend.