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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 13: A Los Angeles Dodgers groundscrew worker paints the postseason logo on the field before the Milwaukee Brewers workout prior to the NLCS at Dodger Stadium on October 13, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Well, it looks like we’ll be sitting tight for a few days. Game 1 of the World Series won’t be until the night of October 23, so that means there will be no more baseball until then.

In the mean time, what are y’all planning on watching tonight? If you’re a basketball fan then you’re well aware that it’s Opening Night in the NBA, so there are a pair of really exciting games planned tonight as the Knicks host the Sixers and the Thunder host the Spurs. I’m still happy that the classic NBA on NBC theme is back, so that lone is enough to entice me.

Outside of that, is there anything else that y’all are planning on watching? If you’re still having trouble finding something to watch, here are some 2021 NLCS highlights to enjoy.

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PARSIPPANY — Ian Johnson had already been doing plenty of running around before the gun even went off to start the Morris County cross country championships. The Mountain Lakes sophomore had misplaced his race bib, which is used to track him around the course at Central Park of Morris County. But Johnson didn't realize it until only minutes before the varsity boys race was set to start.

A teammate looked for the Lakers' bus, but it was nowhere in site. So Johnson and Mountain Lakes coach Vicki Allison got him a new number at the timing truck. He quickly pinned onto his orange tank top and dashed out to the starting line just ahead of official Scott Noonan.

Johnson estimated he had two minutes to spare before the gun went off. Lakers assistant coach Brandon Chen told him to take a few deep breaths and try to forget about the drama.

Johnson had renewed motivation, if only to keep Allison from reminding him about the mistake.

He got into a quick pack, including NJAC large-school champion Andrew Ulto of West Morris, Montville junior Christopher Smith, and Mendham junior Nicholas Leo. At the eagle statue, Johnson was running with Leo, and "made my move to get past him. The last quarter mile was all arms pumping."

Johnson crossed the finish first in 16:02.97, narrowly missing his season goal of sub-16.

It's Johnson's first Morris County title since the middle-school 800 and 1,600 when he was in eighth grade.

"It feels great," said Johnson, who last won a Morris County title in the middle-school 800 and 1,600 meters when he was in eighth grade. "That was my favorite race all season. It was tactical. There were moves all around. I try to stick on people when they make moves. I try not to be dropped."

More: New champions crowned at NJAC cross country

Tradition continues

As the Mendham runners passed by at the top of the last hill, longtime coach Roy Hamblen yelled out, "Every point counts." For senior Rafe Dickens, that was all the motivation he needed to push on ahead for the final 500 meters or so.

The Minutemen edged Delbarton by just three points for the team plaque, 113 to 116. It's their first time at the top since 2023.

Mendham and Chatham are the only boys teams to win Morris County cross country titles for the past 10 years.

Leo, a senior and the NJAC large-school champ from a week ago, was the Minutemen's top finisher (16:47.97) at the Morris County meet. Juniors Jackson Idle (16:50.94) and Jon Pejman (17:15.06) both turned in personal bests to place in the top 20.

"We always race like it's super close. The worst thing would be to lose by one point," Dickens said. "The moment you turn, you see Coach on the hill, you try to get as many guys as you can."

All in the family

Montville hadn't won the Morris County girls team title since going back to back in 2001 and 2002. The girls checked on the base of the trophy, during a brief pause in their celebration.

Mustangs sophomore Gabriella Pelov led the way in 18:32.34, about two seconds off the school record. It's a nice PR for Pelov, who was fourth – and almost a minute slower – on the same course in the NJAC large-school race on Oct. 13.

Vote! Morris/Sussex Athlete of the Week

Pelov surpassed 18:36, the time which had been randomly haunting her all week. She also matched plaques with her older brother, Georgetown sophomore Alex Pelov, won the Morris County XC title as a senior in 2024.

"I wasn't really running as well as I wanted. I'd had a slow start to training, and I was behind what I was capable of," said Pelov, who competes in a pink headband. "I think it's going to work out, because I want my season to go as far as I can. Really seeing everyone else, and where I am, it motivated me a lot."

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Montville, Mendham claim team titles at Morris County XC championships

PARSIPPANY — Ian Johnson had already been doing plenty of running around before the gun even went off to start the Morris County cross country championships. The Mountain Lakes sophomore had misplaced his race bib, which is used to track him around the course at Central Park of Morris County. But Johnson didn't realize it until only minutes before the varsity boys race was set to start.

A teammate looked for the Lakers' bus, but it was nowhere in site. So Johnson and Mountain Lakes coach Vicki Allison got him a new number at the timing truck. He quickly pinned onto his orange tank top and dashed out to the starting line just ahead of official Scott Noonan.

Johnson estimated he had two minutes to spare before the gun went off. Lakers assistant coach Brandon Chen told him to take a few deep breaths and try to forget about the drama.

Johnson had renewed motivation, if only to keep Allison from reminding him about the mistake.

He got into a quick pack, including NJAC large-school champion Andrew Ulto of West Morris, Montville junior Christopher Smith, and Mendham junior Nicholas Leo. At the eagle statue, Johnson was running with Leo, and "made my move to get past him. The last quarter mile was all arms pumping."

Johnson crossed the finish first in 16:02.97, narrowly missing his season goal of sub-16.

It's Johnson's first Morris County title since the middle-school 800 and 1,600 when he was in eighth grade.

"It feels great," said Johnson, who last won a Morris County title in the middle-school 800 and 1,600 meters when he was in eighth grade. "That was my favorite race all season. It was tactical. There were moves all around. I try to stick on people when they make moves. I try not to be dropped."

More: New champions crowned at NJAC cross country

Tradition continues

As the Mendham runners passed by at the top of the last hill, longtime coach Roy Hamblen yelled out, "Every point counts." For senior Rafe Dickens, that was all the motivation he needed to push on ahead for the final 500 meters or so.

The Minutemen edged Delbarton by just three points for the team plaque, 113 to 116. It's their first time at the top since 2023.

Mendham and Chatham are the only boys teams to win Morris County cross country titles for the past 10 years.

Leo, a senior and the NJAC large-school champ from a week ago, was the Minutemen's top finisher (16:47.97) at the Morris County meet. Juniors Jackson Idle (16:50.94) and Jon Pejman (17:15.06) both turned in personal bests to place in the top 20.

"We always race like it's super close. The worst thing would be to lose by one point," Dickens said. "The moment you turn, you see Coach on the hill, you try to get as many guys as you can."

All in the family

Montville hadn't won the Morris County girls team title since going back to back in 2001 and 2002. The girls checked on the base of the trophy, during a brief pause in their celebration.

Mustangs sophomore Gabriella Pelov led the way in 18:32.34, about two seconds off the school record. It's a nice PR for Pelov, who was fourth – and almost a minute slower – on the same course in the NJAC large-school race on Oct. 13.

Vote! Morris/Sussex Athlete of the Week

Pelov surpassed 18:36, the time which had been randomly haunting her all week. She also matched plaques with her older brother, Georgetown sophomore Alex Pelov, won the Morris County XC title as a senior in 2024.

"I wasn't really running as well as I wanted. I'd had a slow start to training, and I was behind what I was capable of," said Pelov, who competes in a pink headband. "I think it's going to work out, because I want my season to go as far as I can. Really seeing everyone else, and where I am, it motivated me a lot."

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Montville, Mendham claim team titles at Morris County XC championships

The Somerset Christian School Lady Cougars knew they had a tough task on their hands when they faced off with the Lady Cardinals of Wayne County in the first round of the 48th District Tournament.

But much to the delight of a raucous home crowd at the Cougar Den the Lady Cougars gave the favored Lady Cardinals all they wanted and then some before falling three sets to one.

The Lady Cardinals came out on fire in the first half and jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead and never really let Somerset Christian get anything going.

Somerset Christian was trailing 18-9 midway through the set and was never able to get closer than eight the rest of the way as Wayne County took the set 25-15.

The second set was a much tougher battle as the Lady Cougars came out battling and wouldn’t let the Lady Cardinals repeat their quick start of the first set.

The Lady Cougars led six times in the early part of the set and after a three consecutive points held a 17-14 cushion forcing Wayne County to call a time out.

When the Lady Cardinals pulled even at 20-20, it was the fifth time in the set that the score had been tied.

Wayne eventually took a 23-20 lead and held on for the 25-22 victory to go up 2-0 in the match.

Set three was even tighter than the second as the two teams battled back and forth with neither being able to take more than a three-point lead.

After the 11th tie of the set at 14-14, the Lady Cougars took a lead they never relinquished the rest of the way, eventually pulling away to take the hard-fought set 25-19 to get back into the match.

Unfortunately for the Lady Cougars faithful, the fourth set was much like the first as Wayne County quickly raced out to a quick 18-9 lead and never looked back, rolling to a 25-12 win to take the match three sets to one.

Somerset Christian's season comes to a close with a record of 18-11. Best of luck to seniors Caroline Mounce, Catherine Hardy and Callie Davis on all of their future endeavors.

It may have not been their home "turf" but it was their home "grass," as the Southwestern Lady Warriors kicked off their run in the 12th Region Tournament on Monday with a solid 4-1 victory over Lincoln County.

Both teams put up a solid defensive stand over the first several minutes, until Aurielle Estes scored in the 22nd minute to give her team the 1-0 edge. Clare-Marie Ramsey added to that lead just five minutes later, putting the Warriors ahead 2-0. That lead stuck at the half, with the back line of the Warriors and two saves for Kylie Dalton preventing the Patriots from doing much on offense.

The lead increased further for the Warriors in the 48th minute, as Estes beat the defenders and scored her second goal of the game to make it 3-0. Lincoln was eventually able to get on the board however, as Riley Toundes scored in the 54th minute to make it 3-1.

Dalton ended up adding several more crucial saves in the final 20 minutes of the game. Shayla Jones continued her stellar year with a goal in the final minute to ice away a 4-1 win for the hosting team, with the Warriors advancing to the semifinals for the third-consecutive year.

Southwestern improves to 18-3-1 on the season and will take on West Jessamine in the semifinals of the 12th Region Tournament on Tuesday. The Colts took an earlier matchup this season 3-0. Kick between the Warriors and the Colts is slated for 8 p.m.

The Southwestern Lady Warriors fell to McCreary Central in an exciting five-set match in the opening round of the 48th District Volleyball Tournament Monday at the Cougar Den at Somerset Christian School.

The Lady Raiders took the first set after a see-saw battle in which neither team led by more than three points.

Southwestern took a 26-25 lead on a block by Claire Hudson and Addison Baldwin but a kill by McCreary Central’s Layla Silcox pulled the Lady Raiders even, and they scored the final two points to close out the 28-26 win.

The second set looked to be a repeat of the close first set before both teams put together some runs.

McCreary Central pulled out to a 16-10 lead only to see Southwestern answer with a run of it’s own to eventually pull even at 17-17 on back-to-back kills by Andrea West.

McCreary led 22-20 before Southwestern reeled off five of the final six points to take the second set 25-23 to even the match.

The Lady Raiders took control of the third set early to pull out to a 21-11 lead.

Southwestern could never get closer than five the rest of the way and fell 25-20.

The Lady Warriors started out much stronger in the fourth set and eventually built an 18-8 lead and never let McCreary Central get closer than eight the rest of the way and evened the match at 2-2 with a 25-16 win.

In the deciding fifth set, the Lady Raiders regrouped and came out strong.

Southwestern led 2-1 before McCreary Central reeled off seven straight points to pull out to an 8-2 lead.

It was 14-7 before the Lady Warriors made one last push.

A kill by Hudson, a service ace and back-to-back kills by Madison Bland and Amelia Frey got Southwestern to within 14-11.

But McCreary’s Kahlei Clark finished off the set with a kill to give the Lady Raiders the 3-2 victory, eliminating Southwestern from regional tournament contention.

Southwestern concludes their season with a record of 15-11. Best of luck to seniors Addison Whitaker, Madison Bland, Sarah-Jane Brisley, Andrea West and Addison Baldwin on all of their future endeavors.

It was a long time coming for the Pulaski County Lady Maroons on Monday, who finally exercised their first round demons and advanced to Tuesday's regional semifinals with a 2-1 victory over the East Jessamine Lady Jaguars.

The entire first half was a shutout for both teams as the defenses shined, but that didn't stop the Maroons from taking a ton of shots on goal. Reagan Davis had a shot at the buzzer that was stopped by the goalkeeper to keep it a scoreless tie at the break.

It seemed like the game was not going to have a score in regular time as again both defenses were bringing their "A" game through the first 20 minutes of the second half. That was until a free kick by Whitney VanHook was found near the net by sophomore (and just subbed in) Baylee Campbell and put into the back of the net to finally break the tie, putting the Maroons ahead 1-0.

Just as it looked like Pulaski had all the momentum in the world during the final 15 minutes of the game, East Jessamine responded in the 72nd minute with a goal by junior Alexia Chaney following some confusion around the net, knotting the game up at 1-1 and seemingly sending this game close to an overtime period.

Someone forgot to tell the Maroons though. Not even 30 seconds after the tying goal, Kayle Weihrauch found space above the box and hit a beautiful lob shot over the top of East Jessamine goalkeeper Maddy Arnold, pushing the Maroons back ahead 2-1 late in the ball game. That lead would hold and Pulaski would soon be celebrating, advancing onto the semifinals of the 12th Region Tournament with their victory.

Pulaski improves to 16-5-2 on the season and will square off against Boyle County in Tuesday's semifinals, a rematch of a tight game earlier in the season that was won by the Lady Rebels 1-0. Kick is slated for 6 p.m. at Southwestern.

Six weeks of NFL action are complete, and several stars are still for the year-end NFL MVP Award. But with just one-third of the season wrapped up for most teams, much remains to be decided on the gridiron. Let's look at the players currently leading the race for the league's top individual honor.

1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks

Smith-Njigba moved into the top spot after another massive week. He was targeted 16 times in a loss to the Broncos, catching 12 passes for 134 yards. It's hard to imagine a wideout winning MVP, but he is now on a historic pace – tied for the most receptions in the league (49) and leading the league in receiving yards (717) and receiving touchdowns (7) through six games.

2. Brock Purdy, QB, San Francisco 49ers

Purdy drops to second place in our rankings, but he's still excelling on the field. This week, he went 21-for-29, passing for 264 yards and one touchdown as the 49ers remained undefeated, and he's tied for first in the NFL in passing touchdowns (14).

3. Kenneth Walker III, HB, Kansas City Chiefs

Walker III returned from a bye week for the Chiefs with something to prove, averaging 6.7 yards per carry en route to a 128-yard, two-touchdown performance. The Chiefs are one of three undefeated teams remaining in the league, and he leads the NFL in rushing yards (665) and yards per carry (6.3). He also has six rushing touchdowns.

4. Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills

Allen had another big performance this past week, passing for 255 yards and two touchdowns in a win over the Raiders. He now has 1,504 passing yards and 240 rushing yards, and he has 17 total offensive touchdowns. The Bills are 5-1 and currently lead the AFC East.

5. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Despite the Jaguars' loss to the Texans, Lawrence has moved into the Top 5 of these rankings for the first time this season. He threw for 306 yards and four touchdowns last week. He has now passed for 1,480 yards and 14 touchdowns this season, tying Purdy for the league lead. He now has the Jaguars at 4-2 overall.

6. Jared Goff, QB, Detroit Lions

7. Bijan Robinson, HB, Atlanta Falcons

8. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs

9. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions

10. Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Week 7 NFL MVP Power Rankings: Smith-Njigba, Walker III leap upward

Los Angeles Lakers C Walker Kessler (14) battles in the post during an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets, Friday October 16, 2026 in Los Angeles, Calif.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Walker Kessler expects some nerves before he takes the floor for his first regular-season game with the Los Angeles Lakers. He also expects basketball to take over once the game begins.

Speaking after Tuesday’s practice, Kessler described his anticipation ahead of Wednesday’s season opener against the Golden State Warriors. After working through training camp and getting preseason minutes alongside his new teammates, the center is ready to begin learning through games that count.

“I think there’s gonna be a lot of nerves going into the game,” Kessler said. “But as soon as the whistle blows,” he expects the rest to take care of itself.

For Kessler, the opener represents a return to regular-season competition and the beginning of his place in an organization with a lot of expectations. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity while keeping his attention on what he can control: improving each day and helping L.A. win.

Communication comes first against Golden State

The Warriors present an immediate test of the defensive communication Kessler has been working to develop.

Golden State’s movement requires defenders to follow more than the ball. Off-ball screens can create openings before a possession reaches its final action, putting pressure on teammates to communicate assignments and react together.

Kessler pointed to that movement when discussing the matchup. Although the teams saw each other during the preseason, he acknowledged that some players were unavailable for those meetings.

His approach to becoming more vocal is rooted in repetition.

“I think it’s repetition, building a habit of overcommunicating on every possession,” Kessler said.

That habit matters for a center positioned behind the perimeter defense. Kessler can help teammates recognize screens and developing actions, but the responsibility extends throughout the lineup. Against an offense built to keep defenders moving, one missed exchange can undo an otherwise solid possession.

Game 1 offers an early measure of how well those practice habits carry into competition.

Learning alongside Dončić and Reaves

On offense, Kessler is learning to stay prepared for opportunities created by Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.

He praised their court vision Tuesday, particularly their ability to recognize openings without appearing to look directly at them. For the player receiving those passes, the lesson is straightforward.

“Always have your hands up,” Kessler said.

Developing that familiarity takes possessions together. Kessler must learn when a pass might arrive, while Dončić and Reaves learn where he is most comfortable receiving it. The opener begins a longer process of turning those reads into reliable offense.

Their influence also extends to the team’s competitiveness. Kessler said the approach of Dončić and Reaves carries through the group, describing practices in which teammates challenge whoever stands across from them.

He sees that willingness to compete as a foundation, even with plenty left to learn.

The Lakers will begin discovering how that translates Wednesday. For Kessler, the expectations surrounding his new team are part of the opportunity, and his individual ambitions remain tied to the result.

“I just want to win,” he said.

The Somerset Lady Jumpers faced the unenviable task of taking down top-10 ranked West Jessamine in the first round of the 12th Region Tournament on Monday. Despite some initial solid defense by the Jumpers, Somerset would ultimately be eliminated from the tournament courtesy of an 8-0 mercy rule loss.

Sophomore goalkeeper Luci Haught was very active in the back of the net, totaling 15 saves in the contest. However, that simply wasn't enough on this night. The Colts had a double hat trick in the game, with both Kylie Marcum and Halle Davis scoring three goals apiece, while Carol Sallee and Sloane Plummer each scored once. Marcum ended up scoring the game's final goal early in the second half to end the contest early.

Somerset concludes their season with a record of 5-14-1, but the Jumpers fought hard the entire game and for a young team, this may just be the beginning of their story. Best of luck to seniors Ayveh Tungate, Amy Rodriguez, Jami Rogers, Storey Justice, Natalia Arnold and Emery Reams on all of their future endeavors.

Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm

The New York Mets lost Pete Alonso in free agency to the Baltimore Orioles, and they failed to replace his production.

Jared Young, Mark Vientos, Brett Baty, Eric Wagaman, Christopher Morel and Jorge Polanco all saw time at first base this season, but no one really stood out as a long-term solution. This offseason, David Stearns will be tasked with fixing his mistake and finding a reliable first baseman. 

One option for the Mets could be longtime rival infielder Alec Bohm. Bohm moved to first base this year when the Philadelphia Phillies acquired Luis Arraez at the trade deadline. Arraez played second base, Bryson Stott moved to third base, Bryce Harper moved to right field and Bohm moved to first base. Bohm was not a great defender at first base, but he was better than he was at third base.

He was an All-Star in 2024, but his offense has declined since then. In 2024, Bohm had a .280/.332/.448 slash line with 15 home runs. His slash line in the last two seasons was .266/.322/.395, but he ended this season on a high note, perhaps giving himself some more allure in free agency.

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Bohm had a .298/.369/.425 slash line in the second half. If the Mets think he can maintain the production he had in the second half, then he could be a great addition. It's unclear what Bohm's market looks like, but if he is willing to sign a shorter deal or a prove-it deal, the Mets could show interest.

More MLB: Brewers Would Be Taking Major Risk By Activating Brandon Woodruff For World Series

The temperatures have dropped precipitously, and Section 1 has released its tournament brackets, signaling for local boys soccer fans the most wonderful time of the year. Well, at least the autumn.

The playoffs are here, and the teams that qualified will be on a mission to stack plaques. The sectional tournament begins Oct. 22 and culminates in the finals on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at Mahopac High School.

Mamaroneck (Class AAA), Mahopac (Class AA), Rye (Class A), Briarcliff (Class B) and North Salem (Class C) are the top seeds in their respective classifications. The defending champions are Harrison, Rye, Albertus Magnus and North Salem, which captured a second straight Class C state title last season. New Rochelle and John Jay-East Fishkill earned a share of the Class AA section crown.

Thursday, Oct. 22

Class AA

Outbracket

No. 17 Suffern at No. 16 Yorktown

No. 18 Saunders at No. 15 Brewster

Class A

Outbracket

No. 17 Nanuet at No. 16 Ardsley

Friday, Oct. 23

Class AA

First round

Yorktown/Suffern at No. 1 Mahopac

Brewster/Saunders at No. 2 Lakeland

No. 9 Lincoln at Clarkstown North

No. 13 Yonkers at No. 4 Fox Lane

No. 12 Clarkstown South at No. 5 Harrison

No. 10 Horace Greeley at No. 7 Eastchester

No. 14 John Jay-Cross River at No. 3 Peekskill

No. 11 Roosevelt at No. 6 Gorton

Class A

First round

Ardsley/Nanuet at No. 1 Rye

No. 9 Pearl River at No. 8 Byram Hills

No. 13 Edgemont at No. 4 Albertus Magnus

No. 12 Putnam Valley at No. 5 Tappan Zee

No. 15 Hen Hud at No. 2 Walter Panas

No. 10 Sleepy Hollow at No. 7 Westlake

No. 14 Keio at No. 3 Hastings

No. 11 Pelham at No. 6 Somers

Saturday, Oct. 24

Class AAA

First round

No. 9 Ossining at No. 8 John Jay-East Fishkill

No. 12 Spring Valley at No. 5 Arlington

No. 10 Ramapo at No. 7 Roy C. Ketcham

No. 11 White Plains at No. 6 Port Chester

Class B

First round

No. 9 Dobbs Ferry at No. 8 Rye Neck

No. 12 Yonkers Montessori at No. 5 Blind Brook

No. 10 Alexander Hamilton at No. 7 Bronxville

No. 11 Pawling at No. 6 Croton-Harmon

Monday, Oct. 26

Class AA

Quarterfinals

at higher seeds

Class A

Quarterfinals

at higher seeds

Tuesday, Oct. 27

Class AAA

Quarterfinals

John Jay-East Fishkill/Ossining at No. 1 Mamaroneck

Arlington/Spring Valley at No. 4 North Rockland

Ketcham/Ramapo at No. 2 Scarsdale

Port Chester/White Plains at No. 3 New Rochelle

Class B

Quarterfinals

Rye Neck/Dobbs Ferry at No. 1 Briarcliff

Blind Brook/Yonkers Montessori at No. 4 Valhalla

Bronxville/Hamilton at No. 2 Irvington

Croton-Harmon/Pawling at No. 3 Pleasantville

Wednesday, Oct. 28

Class AA

Semifinals

at higher seeds

Class A

Semifinals

at higher seeds

Thursday, Oct. 29

Class AA

Semifinals

at higher seeds

Class B

Semifinals

at higher seeds

Class C

Semifinals

No. 3 Tuckahoe at No. 2 Leffell

Saturday, Oct. 31

Class AA

Final

at Mahopac High School, 11 a.m.

Class A

Final

at Mahopac High School, 1:30 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 1

Class AA

Final

at Mahopac High School, 12 p.m.

Class B

Final

at Mahopac High School, 2:30 p.m.

Class C

Final

at Mahopac High School, 5 p.m.

Tuckahoe/Leffell vs. No. 1 North Salem

Stephen Haynes covers sports for The Journal News/lohud.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Who are the top seeds in the Section 1 boys soccer tournament bracket?

Ngumoha And Mac Allister Get 9 | Liverpool Players Rated In Hard-Fought Win Vs Villarreal

Liverpool entertained Villarreal at Anfield earlier tonight as they hoped to secure a good result at home in the UEFA Champions League. The Reds made a slow start to the game and conceded the opener in the fourth minute when Georges Mikautadze found the back of the net. Sergi Cardona doubled Villarreal’s lead in the 29th minute before Alexis Mac Allister got a goal back for Andoni Iraola’s side in the 36th minute. Ronald Araujo equalised for the Reds in the first half injury time as the two teams went into the half-time break with a 2-2 scoreline.

Mac Allister scored again for Liverpool in the 65th minute before Florian Wirtz got his name on the scoresheet just three minutes later. Tani Oluwaseyi got a goal back for Villarreal in the 87th minute, but the Merseyside outfit hung on and secured a hard-fought 4-3 win in front of their home fans.

Let’s take a look at how each Liverpool player fared during the clash against Villarreal.

GK: Alisson Becker – 6/10

He made a couple of good saves at the back, but would be disappointed after allowing three goals tonight.

RB: Ronald Araujo – 7/10

Araujo didn’t do much wrong defensively and managed to score the equaliser in the latter stages of the first half.

He got stuck in with some crunching tackles but failed to keep things solid at the back.

CB: Virgil Van Dijk – 5.5/10

Van Dijk earned possession back twice but made a costly error at the back.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 20: Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool runs with the ball away from Georges Mikautadze of Villarreal CF during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD3 match between Liverpool FC and Villarreal CF at Anfield on October 20, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

LB: Kostas Tsimikas – 8/10

He was caught out of position at times, but put in a lively performance inside the opponent’s half. Tsimikas has an assist to show for his efforts.

CM: Ryan Gravenberch – 7/10

Gravenberch worked hard on both halves but lacked the cutting edge in the final third.

CM: Trey Nyoni – 7/10

He anchored the midfield well and made two good chances going forward.

RW: Rio Ngumoha – 9/10

Ngumoha made a lot of dangerous runs with the ball on the right flank and has a couple of assists to his name.

CAM: Alexis Mac Allister – 9/10

He ran the show well inside the Villarreal half and managed to score a brace tonight.

LW: Cody Gakpo – 8.5/10

Gakpo caused a lot of headaches for his marker and did well to secure an assist.

ST: Lewis Koumas – 6.5/10

He worked hard but never looked like he would score.

CAM: Florian Wirtz – 7.5/10

He combined well with his teammates and managed to score in the 68th minute with a composed finish.

ST: Alexander Isak – 6/10

His impact on the game was minimal.

CB: Joe Gomez – 6/10

Gomez failed to keep things solid at the back.

He struggled to influence the game.

Foden thrilled after clinical AEK Athens display

Phil Foden expressed his elation after scoring a treble in our 5-1 UEFA Champions League victory over AEK Athens and expressed his hunger for even more goals.

Match Report

Foden treble inspires five-star City to AEK Athens triumph

Elliot Anderson poked us ahead with his first goal for the Club before Foden rifled in a second shortly after the half-hour mark in our 150th fixture in the prestigious competition.

Stavros Pilios pulled one back for AEK Athens seven minutes after the interval before Foden’s pass found Rayan Cherki to slot into the bottom corner and give us some breathing space.

GALLERY: FANTASTIC FODEN HITS HAT-TRICK!

Foden then took centre stage again, firing into the top corner for his brace, before completing his hat-trick from close-range, making it four goals and one assist in four days for the Englishman.

“I enjoyed that a lot,” began Foden in an interview after the game. “The lads were great again. We showed determination again, it wasn’t pretty at times. We were giving sloppy passes away.

“But, we stuck at the game plan and we kept going and in the end we broke them down. Overall I’m delighted. [My favourite goal is] probably the second to be honest. The way it went in.

“I’m delighted to score goals now, I’m a forward so I have to keep scoring and helping the team. It’ll only do good for my confidence.

“Slowly but surely [getting back to my best], still got a long way to go. I’m going in the right direction. Scoring along the way definitely helps.

I’ve just got to keep working hard and try to be as best as I can for the manager and for the team. Especially when I changed into the false 9 role, I really enjoyed it a lot. In between the lines and in the pockets where I like to be and linking the play. I really enjoyed that role tonight.”

The victory saw five debutants for City in the Champions League, with Floyd Samba, Allan, Ryan McAidoo, Vitor Reis and Kaden Braithwaite all getting their first taste of European football.

Foden believes they all deserved their chance and confirmed he’s passing on all of his knowledge to the youngsters in the squad.

“Just trying to help them as best as I can, along with the captains, like Ruben and Erling,” he continued. “Trying to help the young ones.

“It shows the trust the manager has. We’ve got a lot of injuries at the moment and he’s not scared to use the young lads.

“They’ve been playing really well so they deserved to play tonight. I’m really happy for them.”

Liverpool 4–3 Villarreal: Rio Ngumoha Earns 10/10 in Anfield ThrillerLiverpool 4–3 Villarreal – Champions League Man of the MatchRio Ngumoha

Liverpool FC

Rio Ngumoha delivered a sensational performance at Anfield, helping Liverpool recover from a dreadful opening half-hour to secure a dramatic 4–3 Champions League victory over Villarreal. The teenage winger was the catalyst for the comeback, bringing the crowd to its feet with a fearless display of direct running, creativity and attacking intent.

The opening 30 minutes were horrid for Liverpool. Defensive mistakes and a lack of control allowed Villarreal to take advantage, leaving the Reds chasing the game on their own turf. While much of the team struggled to find its rhythm, Ngumoha was already showing the kind of confidence and determination that make him such an exciting prospect.

Photo IMAGO

Operating on the right wing, the England international has adapted remarkably well to a position that demands both technical quality and tactical discipline. He is not simply holding the width and waiting for the ball. He wants to take defenders on, attack space and make things happen. That willingness to be positive, even when the team is struggling, is a terrific quality to see in a young player.

His contribution to Liverpool’s recovery was outstanding. Ngumoha supplied two assists, including the delivery for Alexis Mac Allister’s equaliser, and continued to trouble Villarreal with his movement and ability to beat opponents. His involvement in the attacking play gave Liverpool a much-needed spark and helped shift the momentum of a match that had threatened to get away from them.

After the interval, he became even more influential. His wing play created the opportunity for Liverpool’s third goal, with his directness and close control leaving Villarreal struggling to contain him. Every time he received possession, there was a sense that something could happen. He played with the confidence of a player who believed he could change the outcome, and ultimately, he did.

Ngumoha’s performance was not just about the assists. It was the energy, courage and willingness to take responsibility that stood out. At his age, there will inevitably be lessons to learn and consistency to develop, but displays like this demonstrate why the excitement around him continues to grow. He has the ability to become a major attacking weapon for Liverpool if his development continues on this trajectory.

Alexis Mac Allister also deserves considerable credit after scoring twice and growing into the contest, while Jérémy Jacquet once again provided a reassuring presence in defence. However, Ngumoha was the standout performer by some distance.

Liverpool needed inspiration after a disastrous start, and the teenager supplied it. His two assists and relentless attacking threat helped turn a difficult European night into a memorable Anfield victory.

My pre-match prediction was Liverpool 3–1 Villarreal. The Reds conceded three goals but found four of their own, and Ngumoha was at the heart of their comeback. This was a performance that will only increase anticipation for what he can achieve in a Liverpool shirt.

(Video) Anfield DJ’s choice of music straight after full-time in Liverpool win was simply perfect

The full-time song choices at Anfield have been very much on point in recent games.

At the end of Liverpool’s 0-3 defeat to Manchester City in thier first match back after the international break, during which the away side were found guilty of 114 charges of financial rule-breaking, the final whistle was followed by the strains of ‘Tell Me Lies’ by Fleetwood Mac (talkSPORT).

Tonight the choice of post-match music swapped from being a not-so-subtle dig at the opposition to lauding the standout player from the Reds’ 4-3 win over Villarreal.

Anfield DJ lauds Ngumoha with apt song choice

Even though he didn’t get on the scoresheet on Tuesday, the undoubted star of the show was Rio Ngumoha, who tore the opposition apart with his electric dribbling and conjured a mesmerising assist to set up Alexis Mac Allister’s second goal of the night.

BBC reporter Aadam Patel described the 18-year-old as ‘a class apart‘, and the Anfield DJ pointedly chose to play ‘Rio’ by Duran Duran straight after the final whistle.

(Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

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Was this Ngumoha’s best Liverpool performance yet?

Liverpool fans have been no strangers to Ngumoha’s precocious brilliance over the past year or so, but his performance tonight was arguably his best in a red shirt.

As per Sofascore, he won eight of his 12 duels and completed seven out of eight dribbles whilst also executing three key passes, and Villarreal left-back Sergi Cardona will be quite glad he won’t have to come up against the Reds winger again any time soon.

Liverpool Echo reporter Ian Doyle unsurprisingly gave him a 9/10 in his post-match player ratings as he wrote: ‘Dangerous runs offered encouragement opening quarter and persisted with great assist for the Liverpool second. Tormented Villarreal defence down right and brilliant work to set up third.’

Meanwhile, Daniel Sturridge – himself a superb attacker for the Reds in his playing days – gushed on Amazon Prime (via Sky Sports) that Ngumoha has ‘God-given ability’ and a level of individual brilliance that ‘you can’t teach’.

And to think he only turned 18 in August! Just think of how high a ceiling this kid could have…

You can view the full-time footage from Anfield below, via @beth_lindop on X:

BYU’s Jaxon Kohler (0) shoots a layup during a game against Nebraska at the Marriott Center in Provo on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News

BYU’s last hurdle before the regular season has been cleared.

Big man Jaxon Kohler will remain eligible for the Cougars, as a California court granted his preliminary injunction Tuesday for a fifth season of college eligibility.

The news was first reported by Robby McCombs of Vanquish the Foe. According to CBS Sports college basketball insider Jon Rothstein, the NCAA will appeal the ruling.

Sources: An injunction was granted in California for the Glancey V. NCAA case, giving all members of the Class of 2022 involved eligibility through the end of the 2026-27 college basketball season.

The NCAA will appeal.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) October 20, 2026

As previously reported by the Deseret News, Kohler’s effort to receive further eligibility came in the aftermath of the NCAA’s new “five in five” eligibility model, which was not originally grandfathered to him as a class of 2022 high school graduate.

Kohler, along with more than 70 other athletes, was granted a temporary restraining order against the NCAA in August as part of Glancey v. NCAA, allowing him to enter the transfer portal and land at BYU.

The preliminary hearing for Glancey v. NCAA began in September and concluded Tuesday. The granted injunction means Kohler will remain eligible at least through the final trial date, which has yet to be determined.

A four-year contributor at Michigan State who earned All-Big Ten honors last season, Kohler recorded a double-double of 10 points and 10 points in BYU’s preseason exhibition against Nebraska this past Friday, leading coach Kevin Young to call him “the perfect fit” at center for the Cougars.

“It felt amazing, it felt surreal,” Kohler said after the Nebraska exhibition. “I mean, to play with these guys, to play for the community I was raised in and to go out there and be a Cougar, man, it was really special, to be honest.”

This story will be updated.

BYU’s Jaxon Kohler (0) shoots a 3-pointer during a game against Nebraska at the Marriott Center in Provo on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. | Lukas Katilius, Deseret News

Hermoso: “We’re a tough team, I like what I’m seeing.”

Following the 4-0 victory against Slovan Bratislava, Roma defender Mario Hermoso, who scored the temporary 1-0 lead, spoke to Sky Sport.

“For us, it’s crucial to follow the coach’s instructions, do things well, and win. It’s also important to keep a clean sheet.”

“Today was a really, really important match. We’d struggled after the defeat here against Real Madrid, and we absolutely needed to win this game, also for the standings.”

“Certainly, it’s an important aspect, not just for us defenders, but for the entire team. We’re a tough team, who want to play with great intensity and always implement what the coach asks of us. That’s why keeping a clean sheet is crucial. We also have great talent up front, and we need to try to get as many balls as possible close to the opponent’s penalty area to allow our attackers to score.”

“We have a strong team, a complete squad, and quality players in every position. We must continue to work and be the team we are. We all strive every day to give our all, and that says a lot about us, about the quality of the squad, and about the work the coach and the sporting director are doing. We must continue on this path, because it’s great to see Roma like this.”

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé is one of the fastest players in soccer -Credit:Alberto Gardin/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Widely regarded as one of the fastest players in the NFL, New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara has challenged Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappé - arguably one of soccer’s quickest players - to a race.

This unexpected but potentially thrilling matchup arose on Tuesday courtesy of French soccer icon turned CBS Sports analyst Thierry Henry.

Speaking from the CBS studio with Kamara and teammate Cam Jordan, who were pitchside in Paris ahead of PSG’s 4-2 UEFA Champions League win against Barcelona, the former Barça and Arsenal striker quizzed the duo on who was the fastest - with Kamara getting the nod.

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New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara is also known for his speed -Credit:Perry Knotts/Getty Images

Henry then quizzed the Saints pair whether or not Kamara would be able to beat Mbappé in a race with a soccer ball at his feet, to which he replied, “Yeah…I’ve got it. Set it up. Look, I'm of African descent, so I think I've got a lot of football instinct in me.” This immediately prompted excitement from Micah Richards and Jamie Carragher in the studio, with Henry admitting he liked the 31-year-old’s “confidence.”

Whether or not this race ever materializes, only time will tell. However, given that Kamara’s 40-yard dash time at the 2017 Combine clocked in at 4.56 seconds, and Mbappé reportedly got up to 23.4 mph at this summer’s FIFA World Cup, it could be a tight race.

But if nothing else, this chat proved a moment to remember for Kamara as it gave him the opportunity to tell 49-year-old Henry, “Thierry, honestly, I have to say I’ve done a lot of damage with you on FIFA, so it’s good to talk to you.”

It also provided Henry an excellent opportunity to subtly roast fellow analyst Richards, who asked the Saints stars what position he could have played if he’d given the NFL a try. “Waterboy,” Henry immediately replied.

To listen to the latest episode of 'All Out Soccer' - CLICK HERE

On a more serious note, Kamara suggested that the former Manchester City defender looked “like a good running back. Maybe a linebacker, a good athletic linebacker. But definitely a running back. You’re bigger than me.”

Asked by Richards what assets he’d need to succeed, the five-time Pro Bowler explained, “You’ve got to have some speed. You've got to have some vision. And then it's the stuff you’ve got to have that is God-given. That nobody can coach…The stuff that makes the fancy plays.”

Defensive end Jordan, 37, then chimed in, commenting, “After a guy like me hits you a couple of times, you’ll get used to avoiding me.”

The Saints duo are in the French capital ahead of the NFL’s first-ever game in Paris, with New Orleans set to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Stade de France on Sunday at 9:30am ET.

New Orleans heads into the game third in the NFC South with a 2-4 record, while Aaron Rodgers’ Steelers sit second in the AFC North at 4-2.

Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

They are the ones with a clear path to minutes and specific stats that win leagues. According to ESPN, Kel’el Ware, Julius Randle, and Walker Kessler are the top picks to outperform their draft position this year.

Many owners will sleep on these players until it is too late. The experts at ESPN have done the hard work of looking past the hype. They see a shift in the league where specific players will dominate the stats that matter most. You do not need a crystal ball to see this; you just need to look at the rosters and the numbers.

Ware Will Break Through in Milwaukee

Kel’el Ware is the first name to watch. He plays for the Milwaukee Bucks, a team that needs size. Jim McCormick of ESPN states that Ware is a crucial frontcourt piece from the Giannis deal. While Myles Turner is there, the Bucks have a massive advantage in rebounding that Ware will exploit. McCormick notes that the team might be compelled to prioritize Ware’s exposure. He predicts Ware will finish as a top-30 player on the Player Rater. This is a bold move for a young player, but the playing time is there.

Randle Finds His Old Form in Brooklyn

Julius Randle returns as the primary offensive option. He is now with the Brooklyn Nets. According to ESPN’s Michael F. Florio, Randle has returned in the same manner as his early New York Knicks tenure. He averaged over 24 points per game twice in a three-year span. He also averaged at least 9.9 rebounds each year during that time. Florio anticipates he will shoot more threes with the Nets, similar to his Knicks era. As the offensive centerpiece again, high volume boosts his potential for another fantasy basketball breakout. This is a return to form that many have forgotten.

Kessler Returns to Health with the Lakers

Walker Kessler missed most of last season due to shoulder surgery. He played just five games. However, he is back playing in his debut season with the Los Angeles Lakers. Eric Moody of ESPN says the conditions are right for Kessler to enjoy a career year. He is projected to finish as a top-20 player in category leagues. His defense and rebounding will be huge for a team that needs both. The injury is behind him, and the opportunity is right in front of him.

Do not chase the big names that everyone else is grabbing. The real value lies in players like Ware, Randle, and Kessler who have clear roles and the chance to shine. These are the players who will swing your fantasy leagues in a big way.