North Bergen Investigated for Recruiting Players

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

The Montclair Times is reporting that an investigative report in Sunday's Star-Ledger is leading to the New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association investigating allegations that 2011 state sectional champ North Bergen recruited players.

North Bergen beat previously unbeaten Montclair 14-13 to win the North Jersey I Group 4 title in December.  It was a memorable game because it ended when North Bergen's Debray Tavarez caught a 22-yard touchdown pass as time expired.

It was the final game of head coach Vince Ascolese's 50-year career that saw him retire as the state's third winningest head coach with a record of 359-128-7.

Publish reports indicate that two of Ascolese's players will be looked at during the investigation by the NJSIAA.  The Star-Ledger is also reporting that the North Bergen School District has retained a law firm in the case.

If North Bergen is found guilty, it could be stripped of the title.

Coach Ascolese was a guest on the High School Football America radio show before the allegations broke.  Click here to listen to the interview detailing his career.