Sayreville football team plays first game since hazing accusations

SAYREVILLE, N.J. (WABC) -- The Sayreville High School football team returned to the field Friday night for the first time since last season's hazing scandal.

The Friday night lights were back on at Sayreville War Memorial and when the Bombers took the field for the first time in 349 days, they steamrolled the visiting team.

"35-7," said Michael Liberti, a Sayreville Football player.

Junior running back Michael Liberti's ear to ear grin is a big change from one year ago.

"I didn't come to school for a week, seniors were crying, had to support them, we brought them back we, showed up what it was," Liberti said.

"I was outraged. It was upsetting to see a lot of these kids walking around, moping, not doing good in school a lot of them didn't have nothing to do with it," said Michael Liberti, a parent.

Last year, seven of their teammates found themselves under arrest and charged with hazing and sexually assaulting four other players. It was a scandal that made national news and led the Sayreville School District to cancel the entire season and clean house in its coaching staff. Chris Beagan is the new coach.

"We preach to the team about family about leaders, those are the things that we strive for," Beagan said.

Friday night they were back with a roaring crowd and a relentless offense.

The Bombers are intent on a state championship they say they deserve more than ever.

"Look around, what you can see is there's a lot of support for this team, for the rest of the team that had nothing to do with it," Beagan said.

One player is still awaiting trial.

Four of the six teens pleaded guilty to charges of hazing and endangering the welfare of their young fellow teammates. They've been placed on probation for two years and were ordered to provide "truthful testimony against their co-defendants."

The two others were found delinquent in a trial and sentenced to one-year probation.

All six will have to serve 50 hours of community service.