Mounties Want North Bergen Stripped of Football Title

Montclair High School has appealed a ruling by the agency that governs high school athletics in the state that allowed North Bergen High School to retain its football state championship despite being found to have recruited two players, according to a report in The Jersey Journal.

North Bergen defeated Montclair in the North Jersey Section 1 Group IV championship game on Dec. 3 in storied head coach Vince Ascolese's final game. The Bruins were later accused of recruiting two star players, Denzel Leitch and Eric McMullen, the journal reports. The recruiting, and other possible violations, were reported by Leitch after the season's end.

In December, Montclair Patch reported how came to a stunning and disappointing end at MetLife Stadium. North Bergen's Sergio Rodriguez connected with Debray Tavarez on a 22-yard touchdown strike as time expired, handing Montclair its first loss of the season while winning the North I Group 4 state sectional championship, 14-13, in a shocking upset.

All season long the Mounties football team looked unbeatable but, according to the Montclair Patch report, the Bruins would not be intimidated by the state's fourth-ranked team, which came in averaging more than 44 points per game.

What do you think of the appeal? Should North Bergen lose its title? Tell us in the comments section below.