Despite two referees not carrying proper officiating certifications, the Colts Neck High School’s football victory over Monroe Township High School was upheld by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA).
Colts Neck won, 18-13, on Oct. 27 in a game where two of the referees who were scheduled to work the matchup in Monroe, Ernie Lunardelli and his son, Anthony Lunardelli, walked off the field when four players from Monroe knelt during the playing of the national anthem, according to NJSIAA Assistant Director Jack DuBois.
Two members who were assigned to hold the chains in the game were then placed on the field to work as referees. However, DuBois confirmed that the two substitute referees were not properly trained and do not own certification cards to work as sanctioned officials. That issue raised the question of the validity of the game being official.
However, DuBois announced on Oct. 30 that the game is official.
“There will be no ruling,” DuBois said. “The game will count.”
As for the fate of the two referees who walked off the field, DuBois said that the Central Jersey Chapter of the New Jersey Football Officials Association will address the issue.
“The local chapter will be discussing if they deserve any punishment,” DuBois said. “That’s not something that we would handle.”
Scott Heiser, the chairman for the Central Jersey Chapter of the New Jersey Football Officials Association, announced on Oct. 30 that an emergency meeting will take place later this week to discuss the matter.
