Sayreville school superintendent Dr. Rich Labbe Friday said allegations of a "serious" nature, under investigation by law enforcement authorities, prompted cancellation of the high school's football game with South Brunswick on Thursday. 

Sayreville school superintendent Dr. Richard Labbe addresses the media about an incident involving the high school football team
Sayreville school superintendent Dr. Richard Labbe addresses the media about an incident involving the high school football team (PIX 11)
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Speaking at the offices of the Sayreville Board of Education, Labbe said he was bound by an agreement with the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office to withhold any details of the matter under investigation and to defer any internal inquiries until the criminal probe runs its course.

He said the Thursday game has been forfeited and that it had been his decision to cancel it. Labbe said he made the decision to demonstrate that the "safety and welfare of students comes before football." However, Labbe said earlier reports suggesting a connection to charges of steroid possession by an assistant coach were incorrect.

Citing confidentiality policies, Labbe declined to comment on any disciplinary action against students or reports that hazing was involved. He added that Sayreville has a "zero tolerance" for bullying or harrassment in accordance with the state bullying policy.

Labbe referred all questions to the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office and Sayreville Police who are conducting the investigation. Labbe said information about the activity being probed had been received by him "in fragments."

In an email, the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office had no comment on their investigation

No questions were asked during the brief news conference about defensive coordinator Charles Garcia, who was stopped by police in Bridgewater last week, according to MyCentralJersey.com, and charged with possession of steroids, testosterone and syringes. His lawyer Phillip Nettl tells NJ.com that he resigned his position earlier in the week and said that his arrest was unrelated to the cancellation of the game.

Labbe said that the status of next weekend's football game hinges on the results of the police investigation, as does the future of the school's football program. He declined to comment on the status of the team's coaching staff.

A meeting is scheduled for Monday at the high school for only parents and guardians of members of the football team to discuss the rest of the season according to the school's website. The Bombers are currently 2-2 in the Greater Middlesex Conference's Red Division.

The superintendent urged anyone with information about the unspecified incident to contact Sayreville police at 732-727-4444

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