Millburn and Livingston enter the 2026 high school football season projected to finish second in their respective Super Football Conference divisions, according to NJ.com's preseason preview published Tuesday, Aug. 25.

The Millers slot behind Bergenfield in the new Ivy Gold division. Livingston trails West Orange, ranked No. 10 in NJ.com's SFC preseason Top 20, in the Freedom White.

New division, new opportunity for Millburn

Millburn joins a brand-new Ivy Gold division this fall. The SFC expanded its Ivy pool from 12 teams to 18, splitting into three divisions after operating with two since 2020. Six teams now qualify for the Ivy postseason, up from four under the old format.

The Millers' division mates are Bergenfield, Belleville, Paterson Kennedy, Dover and Bergen Tech. Bergenfield is the preseason favorite.

Fort Lee enters 2026 as the reigning Ivy champion after going undefeated in 2025 and scoring 40-plus points five times.

Livingston's Paul chases history

The Lancers' biggest storyline is senior running back Abel Paul, a Lafayette College commit who holds Livingston's all-time rushing record. Paul enters the season with 2,704 career yards and 29 touchdowns.

He broke the school record during the 2025 season. Paul rushed for 522 yards and seven touchdowns in a 49-39 win over Montclair, setting single-game Essex County records and surpassing former Livingston rushing leader Robbie Tabatchnick, a 2003 All-State selection.

Livingston finished 7-4 in 2025 and lost to West Orange 21-0 in the North 1, Group 5 semifinals. NJ.com identified Paul's pursuit of a sectional title as one of the 50 biggest storylines in New Jersey football this season. The Lancers haven't won a sectional championship since 2008.

What's ahead

The SFC season opens the weekend of Aug. 29 with games at the Battle at the Beach, Battle in the Boro and other sites across the region. State championships are scheduled at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford after Thanksgiving.