End of Year Banquet - Dec 14th

Well another year comes to a close.  A new group will be taking over the reigns and it with great sadness that we say farewell to our seniors.  Thanks Boys for so many great memories.

Do not forget to put in for the Year End Banquet.  Looking forward to seeing everyone at the affair!

 

Seniors include - Ben Vaccaro, Ricky Simon (Capt.), Sammy Caivano, Max Wasserman, Danny Freeman.

Tim Swanson (Capt.), Ryan Bednarski (Capt.), Tommy Judge, Shere Saidon, Colin Horgan & Adam Bavosa.

Season Captains Announced

Congratulations to the 2010 Millburn Football Varsity Captains - voted upon and announced this week.

Ryan Bednarski
Ricky Simon &
Timmy Swanson

Simon & Swanson celebrate touchdown

Bednarski back to pass

The LAST GAME - Be Perfect!

Thursday will be the end of our season, and for many of our seniors it may be the end of their football careers.  The film "Friday Night Lights" summarizes the thoughts of the last game very succintly - The text of Coach Gaines' halftime speech is below.  
Seniors we will surely miss you - Juniors, Sophomores & Freshmen- make this game your next one towards greatness.  

Be Perfect.




"Friday Night Lights" 2004 - Coach Gaines:
Well, its real simple:  You got two more quarters and that's it.
Now most of you have been playin this game for ten years.  And you got two more quarters and after that most of you will never play this game again as long as you live.  Now, ya'll have known me for awhile, and for a long time now you've been hearin' me talk about being perfect.
Well I want you to understand somethin'.  To me, being perfect is not about that scoreboard out there.  It's not about winning.  It's about you and your relationship to yourself and your family and your friends.
Being perfect is about being able to look your friends in the eye and know that you didn't let them down, because you told them the truth.  And that truth is that you did everything that you could.  There wasn't one more thing that you could've done.
Can you live in that moment, as best you can, with clear eyes and love in your heart?  With joy in your heart?  If you can do that gentlemen, then you're perfect.
I want you to take a moment.  And I want you to look each other in the eyes. I want you to put each other in your hearts forever, because forever's about to happen here in just a few minutes.
I want you to close your eyes, and I want you to think about Boobie Miles, who is your brother. And he would die to be out there on that field with you tonight.  And I want you to put that in your hearts.
Boys, my heart is full.  My heart's full."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYN4jnA8fKs 

Thanksgiving Pies Still for Sale!

Reminder - Look DOWN at our High School Football links section of the blog for the form to order some delicious Thanksgiving Pies.

Nick Palma makes a horseshoe tackle

Consolation Game Scotch Plains on Friday - 7pm!

Obviously I have no clue how they match up teams as I was completely wrong.  Millburn will play Scotch Plains this Friday night at Home!




OK Gang - its Sunday morning and it you can't wait until tomorrow to find out our game for next week - here are my guesses based on powerpoints.

Three teams have matching powerpoints  - Millburn, Ferris & South Plainfield.
One of the three will likely play Parsippany Hills from the Northwest Jersey Conference.

The other two should play each other - I do not know how they decide on the home team if two teams have the same number of powerpoints.

With any luck - Millburn will end up with a home game against Ferris or South Plainfield.

The link to the powerpoints is here:
http://www.gridironnewjersey.com/powerpoints.aspx?season=2009&section=North%202&group=3

The D-line battles against formidable Eastside Foes

Congrats to Timmy

Congrats to Tim Swanson - Essex County SEC player of the week honors - week of Oct. 22nd.

Poise & character in a tough loss

Friday night's game was a tough one to lose (as are all losses) but nobody can watch that game and doubt the character and desire of Our Boys.  They got down a bit in the 3rd quarter, but Bednarski kept them fighting by spreading out passes to Vaccaro, DeLonge & Swanson while sneaking off inside runs to Simon.

All five boys had great individual performances but mostly we saw the offensive line stepping up to give Ryan some time to get off throws.  I've said all season, if you can give the backfield just a LITTLE daylight they can make things happen.

Bednarski engineered a late drive that ended up just short of victory

PRESS CLIPPINGS:
Jose Ortiz article from Patch.com
http://millburn.patch.com/articles/millburn-football-falls-short

Josh Shreckengost article from the Alternative Press

http://tapdev.heroku.com/articles/belleville-bests-millburn-21-16-time-runs-out-as-millers%E2%80%99-fourth-quarter-rally-falls-short-in-final-minute--2


Millburn Score Recaps:

1st Quarter - Swanson/Bednarski once AGAIN proved they are an incredible combination team as they hook up on a great inside move into the end zone from 21 yds out. The pair converted the extra point on a quick motion slant to the right end zone.  Millburn went up 8-6 at that point.


1st half score - 8-6 Millburn leading.

Third Quarter killed us as Belleville made some good halftime adjustments and drove down the field following the opening kickoff.  An interception return for a TD by their 6-5 285 lb Captain Irving Pena, then another drive put Belleville up 21-6 in the 4th.

4th Quarter - With about 11 minutes in the game, the Millburn boys stood up and proved that on this night they were not giving up.  Bednarski orchestrated a great drive capped by some lightning fast catch & run plays by Senior Ben Vaccaro.  Junior Dean DeLonge had 2 key catches on the drive and Ricky Simon sealed the deal with an 8yd TD run.  DeLonge captured his first points in a converted extra point.
Belleville up 21-16.

Millburn Defense had their best defensive stand of the season - with key tackles from Simon & Swanson as well as Freshman Milo Freeman.  The defense held Belleville to 3 & out and Millburn's O had the ball with 8 minutes to spare.

Using up the remaining clock, the offense drove from their own 35yd line down to red zone territory.  On a 3rd & long, Bednarski threw for what we hoped was another connection with Swanson in the end zone.  Under pressure from Belleville's D, he needed just an extra second to get Swanson in the open and instead Belleville was able to get the ball back.
Final Belleville 21 - Millburn 16.

Senior Night Coming & press clippings from Shabazz

Gang - this is it for the Senior Parents - the last home game - Almost unbelievable that is it coming to a close.  Many many good years and good memories.

Press Clippings - Not much in the paper except 3 weekend heroes - Ryan Bednarski & Tim Swanson were noticed for offense - Ryan had about 180 yds passing and Tim caught 10 passes for 152 yds and 1 touchdown.  Max Wasserman was noted for 10 tackles - 2 for losses, one forced fumble & one fumble recovery.

Jose Ortiz had a small piece on Tim:
http://millburn.patch.com/articles/tennis-doubles-team-at-the-core-swanson-shines-in-football

Mo Bednarski made a note of everything happening on Friday - I recap below:

Millers Football Families,

This Friday Night, Oct 29 is Senior Recognition Night.  It will be the last time the 2010 Senior Millers will take the field to play their last Home Game at Millburn HS. L

As is tradition, we recognize the Senior Football Players, Managers and Cheerleaders along with their parents who have supported them over the years. The Ceremony begins at 6:30 as each player is called out onto the field by Dr. D’Alessio and is presented with flowers by Coach Guarino. The players then give the flowers to their parents or family member.  Everyone says “Cheese” and a picture of all of the Seniors and their Parents is taken and published in the Item.

Senior Parents are asked to arrive at the field by 6:15.

John Serrutto will be announcing this last 2010 Home Game to be televised on HomeTowne TV that is being paid for by the 5^th Quarter Club.

The 2010 Millburn Football Program is finished and will be available at this Game!

Melissa Simon has done an “amazing job” and you will certainly be “shocked and awed”  by this wonderful keepsake of 2010 Football Memories she has created for the 2010 Football Teams & Coaches and Families.  Each family will receive 1 free copy on behalf of the 5^th Quarter Club and additional copies will be available for $5. They won’t last long!

The Raffle Tickets for the Giants Game Tickets, Autographed Football and Visa Gift Card will be drawn by Dr. Miron at half time.  Sue & Mark Montuoro have done an incredible job – tirelessly selling tickets anywhere and everywhere they can.  Thanks for all your efforts!

Friday, Oct 29 will be a “Special Millburn Football Night” – hope to see you there!

Millburn Senior Varsity

Millburn Wins At Home

Fantastic to see our Millburn boys finally score a win.  Some nice press at:

In today's hard copy edition of the star ledger By Mike Kinney:
http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/71023064527286035/millburn-29-barringer-8-high-school-football-scores-and-results/

End Zone catch from Star Ledger's Steve Holstein

Online from Patch.com's Jose Ortiz:

http://millburn.patch.com/articles/miller-football-picks-up-first-win


Also - in case anyone missed it, Jose Ortiz put together a nice wrap-up of the remaining games for our boys last Thursday:


http://millburn.patch.com/articles/mhs-football-squad-is-up-against-the-ropes

Thanksgiving Pie Order Form & Tuesday Game Films

Gang - two HOT ITEMS:

1. Join all of us TUESDAY night (10/13) at 7pm - MHS room 125 for Coaches Game Film Night.  Coach G & Silvagni will give us an in-depth analysis of our last game vs. Columbia.  REALLY WORTH JOINING US!  Please come.
2. Look DOWN at our High School Football links section of the blog for the form to order some delicious Thanksgiving Pies.

How about some pictures?

Forget the score - take a look at the cool pics that Mark M took this weekend.  Someday he will have to explain why he would not let Susan take the pics at Columbia.  Either way the shots are great - Thanks!



http://photobucket.com/Columbia10-9-10


The Patch.com write-up is at:http://millburn.patch.com/millburn

Ry back to pass

Captains Swanson, Vaccaro, Bednarski

Bednarski kick attempt

West Essex Loss

Not a lot to say about last night's game -so no need to remind anyone. I did keep track of the scoring, but since it was all West Essex related, why bother posting.

Anyone wants the recap check nj.com

Miller's Offensive Line

Car Wash Moved to Saturday Oct. 23rd

Maureen got written assurance this time that we will be allowed to run a car wash.

Date - Sat. Oct. 23rd.
More details to follow

Weather Dependent!

Press Clippings & Captains from Nutley Game

FYI - Game Captains for the Nutley game included:
Ryan Bednarski
Rick Simon
Tim Swanson
Max Wasserman

Congrats1

As always Millburn Patch has something:

http://millburn.patch.com/articles/millers-drop-home-opener-to-nutley

Star Ledger:

http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/6506588523102148240/nutley-31-millburn-13-high-school-football-scores-and-results/

Home opener loss

Ok - not the way we would have wanted the home opener to go.  In particular the injury to young Sammy Caivano is a tough one to take - lets all wish him a speedy recovery.

Caivano takes down TWO Nutley blockers

Positives -

1. Swanson & Bednarski got their fifth TD of the season together and their chemistry is getting better & better.  Give Ryan a touch more time and we know there will be many more in the coming weeks.
2. The sophomores came up big time!  How about Schoen & Montuoro showcasing some great moves on offense.  Shoen's 80 yd kick off return was fantastic!  Grezeszcak, Brody & Graham all had tackles on defense.  We are going to seeing a lot of this class in the coming weeks - they will only get better & better.
3. If we can keep players healthy somehow, we will see some fireworks.  Simon has been incredible at defense and the few plays he saw on Offense show what a great asset his running game can be.  When he, Vaccaro & DeLong get back to 100% our games really will take off.

So hang in there gang!   Fortunately there is a TON of Millburn football to look forward to.

Schoen (2) runs behind Montuoro (21) on a kick off return.

Brief Recap:
1st Quarter
Nutley - 10:02 - Meggliaro TD- kick failed   - Millburn 0  - Nutley 6

Millburn - 7:05 - Bednarski to Swanson toss - 20 yds - Bednarski kick good- Millburn 7 - Nutley 6
Nutley 00:15 - Del Mauro run - kick failed -  Millburn 7 - Nutley12

2nd Quarter
Nutley - 10:58 - Meggliaro 75 yd punt return - Millburn 7 - Nutley19

3rd Quarter
Millburn 11:44 - Schoen takes 2nd half opening kick-off 80 yds for TD - kick failed - Millburn 13 - Nutley19

Nutley's Del Mauro scored another in the 4th and Meggliaro had a 2nd in the 4th as well.

Final score Millburn 13 - Nutley31

Millburn Team Gear Store - EXTENDED Open until Sept. ??th ONLY

DEADLINE EXTENDED - the team store CLOSES on Sept ??!

teamgearinc.com

Pictures & Press clippings already from the game

Gang:

Susan & Mark Montuoro already posted 219 fantastic pictures from today's game at:
http://photobucket.com/Livingston9-12-10


AND.... some friends already found some articles on today's game.  See:

Alternative Press:
http://thealternativepress.com/article.asp?news=15124&Livingston-Varsity-Football-Team-Wins-Season-Opener-Against-Millburn-34-26;-Running-Back-Anthony-Cappuccino-Rushes-for-Four-Touchdowns

As always Jose Ortiz at Patch.com gets in a great article:
http://livingston.patch.com/articles/football-rallies-for-opening-win

Lastly the Star Ledger had an article for Monday:
http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/-6940143550694403528/millburn-livingston/

Swanson hauls in the first of 4 touchdowns on the day

Millburn Loses heartbreak in second half.

Bednarski threw for 241 yds and 4 touchdowns

Despite putting up some huge numbers in the passing game, the Lancers took it to us in the 2nd half.  We had some great opportunities and it surely looked like we were going to take a win from this.  However 4 quarters is a long time and when we are playing a school twice the size as Millburn, our boys have to gut out every minute while watching fresh replacements come in for the other side.

Let take what we can and move on.  Nutley in a few weeks!

Individual Stats (abbrv):

Bednarski  - throwing: 8 for 16 - 241 yds passing, 4 td passes & a 2 point conversion running

Swanson - 7 catches for 214 yds and 4 touchdowns.  290 all purpose yards.

Horgan - I interception & 1 catch for 17 yds

Montuoro, Wasserman & Vaccaro - rushing stats TBA

Tackling leaders - Simon, DeCastro, Caivano & Swanson.

For those who are interested the Full Recap:

1st Quarter
Livingston- 6:02 - Cappuccino  - kick failed   - Millburn 0  - Livingston 6

Millburn - 4:27 - Bednarski to Swanson toss - 11 yds - kick failed - Millburn 6 - Livingston 6

2nd Quarter

Millburn - 9:10 Bednarski to Swanson pass & run- 85 yds - kick failed - Millburn 12  - Livingston 6
Millburn - 0:42 Bednarski to Swanson toss - 11 yds - Bednarski 2 pt conversion run - Millburn 20 - Livingston 6

End of the first half Millburn up 20-6. 

3rd Quarter

Livingston 4:33 - Cappuccino  run & conversion - Millburn 20 - Livingston13
Livingston 1:02 - Cappuccino  run & conversion - Millburn 20 - Livingston 20

4th Quarter
Millburn 9:04 - Bednarski to Swanson pass & run - 20 yds - Millburn 26 - Livingston 20
Livingston 7:47 - Cappuccino  run & conversion - Millburn 26 - Livingston 27
Livingston 0:40 - Larangera (Marinara) run & Cappuccino  conversion - Millburn  26 - Livingston 34


Final Score Millers 26 - Lancers 34

Millburn Captains interviewed on Patch.com

Check out Jose Ortiz's article HERE:

http://millburn.patch.com/articles/millburn-football-chasing-postseason-500-record

Captains Named for Livingston Game

Coach announced the tri-captains for tomorrow's game. Congrats to:

Adam Bavosa
Ryan Bednarski &
Tim Swanson

2009 standouts Bednarski #8, Bavosa #54 & Swanson #2 hope to lead the Millers to victory Sunday over Livingston

Pre-season previews

We are finally getting some press including Thursday's write-up in the local Item.  Unfortunately they are incorrect.  CHRIS Swanson is not coming out of retirement to play for Millburn Football again - he was bad enough the first time around - obviously it should say TIM Swanson.

Tim, Ryan and Adam as well as Ricky, & Ben did get a little press in Monday's Star Ledger review of the Super Essex Conference as players to watch for.  See:
http://highschoolsports.nj.com/news/article/6959533875386122101/nj-football-previewing-the-super-essex-conference/

While you are there, you'll see some names to watch for on Sunday in Livingston:
 - Abrahams, WR, Choe, RB Cappuccino, DB, - although we can't be sure if any were named as the three Livingston players who are currently under suspension for our game.

Countdown Clock is almost there!   Get excited for the new Millburn Football Season!

Star Ledger columnist Mike Kinney gives us the following preview of Millburn's Team:

MILLBURN

Offense: Senior QB Ryan Bednarski (6-1, 185) and senior wideout Tim Swanson (6-3, 190) were both solid performers last season for the 4-6 Millers. Halfback Ricky Simon, who also starts at linebacker, missed the final two scrimmages with a hamstring pull. Running back Ben Vaccaro is coming back from an ACL tear. Seniors Adam Bavosa (6-1, 235) and Dan Freeman (6-1, 195) lead the young line. Nick DePalma, Kelsey Graham and Dean Delong will share time at tight end.

Defense: Swanson, a standout at strong safety, Delong and Vaccaro return to the secondary, which appears to be Millburn’s strength. Max Wasserman, who also will start at fullback, Sam Caivano and Luke DeCastro are linebackers. Bavosa is the veteran of a young line.

Etc: Four freshmen are expected to play significant roles, cornerback Gabe Greenberg, linebackers Evan Steinfeld and Milo Freeman and punter Nick Gigourtakis

Millburn Varsity Roster

Millburn's roster is official - download either the pdf file below or the excel format.  Print it out and bring it to our first game in Livingston.

 Millburn Roster in pdf form

Millburn roster in excel format

While you are HERE - how about making your Fair Share Contribution to the Team?  Download the form:

Fifth Quarter Club Donation

Follow-up at Neighborhood House

Another BIG THANKS goes out to some of our varsity boys.  The Neighborhood House requested some last minute help before their new year was to begin and Millburn Football lent a hand.

Led by Seniors Tim Swanson & Ricky Simon a group including sophomores AJ Simon & Sam Brody and freshmen Gabe Greenberg came to the rescue.  Once again our boys demonstrated the character and community spirit that exemplies this group of football players.

Weekend's Community Service a Huge Success!

Once again Millburn Football shows that this season isn't only about the game - its about giving to the community.  17 of our boys made it on Sunday Aug. 21st to provide community help to the folks at Neighborhood House in Millburn.  The boys moved furniture, cleaned just about everything they could find and even weeded.  The Neighborhood House people were EXTREMELY impressed with the character and hard work our boys provided them.

Way to go Millburn Football!

Volunteers included:

• Shere Saidon, Nick Palma, Ben Vaccaro, Luke DeCastro, Max Wasserman, Ricky Simon
• Ryan Bednarski, Tim Swanson, Colin Horgan, Ben White, Adam Bavosa
• Brendan Beutell, Dale Jury, Wesley Tse, Alex Schoen, Steven Montuoro, Michael Lieberberg

Hard at work.

A New Season Awaits!

Dust off your vuvuzelas, the Millburn Football season is set to begin!
Start looking for updates and keep an eye on the countdown to the first game - Sept. 12th vs. Livingston in Livingston.

The 5th Quarter Club has plans for exciting activites and events - starting with the team BBQ on Sat. Sept.21st.  
All players & families are invited - INCLUDING Freshman!  Parents try to join us at 11am - just BEFORE the boys invade the BBQ.

Joe Vaccaro will be our head chef for the final year - we hear he has some special items in store for the boys!

Millburn Football - Get in the Game!

Remember these pics from last year?  Something to get us excited for the coming season.

Have fun!