Sayreville assistant coach busted on steroid charge

• Charles Garcia was charged with possession of steroids%2C testosterone and syringes.
• The schools will have until Monday to make up the game.
• Head coaches and athletics directors from both schools declined to comment on the cancellation.

SAYREVILLE – Days after its defensive coordinator was charged with possession of steroids, testosterone and syringes, the perennial state power Sayreville High School football program, ranked No. 3 in the Home News Tribune Top 10, postponed Thursday night's highly anticipated game against second-ranked South Brunswick.

According to a statement posted on the Sayreville Public Schools website and its Facebook page, the game was postponed because of "serious unforeseen circumstances" that Sayreville Board of Education President Kevin Ciak said was "not a matter of public safety."

Sayreville defensive coordinator Charles Garcia, a South Plainfield resident and former South Plainfield High School standout, was pulled over last Friday by Bridgewater police after allegedly being seen at a known drug hotel.

Garcia was charged with possession of steroids and syringes, according to a criminal complaint filed this week in Superior Court in Somerville.

"The board will be discussing on Tuesday night the status of Mr. Garcia's future employment with the district," Ciak said. "Tonight's cancellation has nothing to do with any of our personnel, to the best of our knowledge."

Attempts to reach Garcia via cellphone and text message were unsuccessful.

Asked why the game was postponed, Ciak said, "I can't comment on specific circumstances, unfortunately. It's something we need to look into. As soon as we can get some information out there, we'll give it out."

Michael Cherenson, a spokesman for the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, said it was notified that the game has been postponed and "at this moment in time, no future NJSIAA action is planned."

The schools will have until Monday to make up the game. Ciak said he was not sure whether the game would be played. If the game is not played by Monday, South Brunswick may be awarded a forfeit victory.

Sayreville Public Schools Superintendent Rich Labbe did not return a message left at the district office or a text message left on his cellphone seeking comment.

Sayreville Board of Education Vice President Beth DePinto told NJ.com that the circumstances revolving around the game's cancellation are being "fully reviewed by (Sayreville Public Schools) personnel and required third parties."

Asked if those required third parties involve law-enforcement or state Department of Education officials, Ciak told MyCentralJersey.com, "I don't think I'm at liberty to share that information at this point."

Thursday night's showdown between Sayreville (2-1), ranked No. 3 in the Home News Tribune Top 10, and No. 2 South Brunswick (3-0), would have featured two of the state's premier players in Penn State commit Myles Hartsfield of Sayreville and Syracuse commit Dontae Strickland of South Brunswick. Both star at running back and defensive back and have already combined for 1,359 yards from scrimmage and 16 rushing touchdowns.

Sayreville, which has won a sectional championship three of the past four years, has compiled a 163-48 record over the past 20 seasons and has failed to qualify for the NJSIAA playoffs just twice since 1992.

The head coaches and athletics directors from Sayreville and South Brunswick all declined to comment on the game's cancellation.

Staff Writers Mike Deak and Sergio Bichao contributed to this story.

Staff Writer Greg Tufaro: 732-565-7289; gtufaro@njpressmedia.com