Parents attending a boys junior varsity soccer match in Hopewell Township last week had to be warned by referees after making racial comments to Hispanic players from Trenton Central High School, officials say.

The parents reportedly shouted things like,"Speak English" and "This is America!" during a Monday game between Trenton high and Hopewell Valley high, Hopewell Township police and the school district said.

The comments reached a point where the Trenton coach alerted the referees, and called for police. A Hopewell Township police officer arrived at the fields, and the game's referees basically told the parents to knock it off, school and police officials said.

Police Chief Lance Maloney and Hopewell Valley Superintendent Thomas Smith, who both have open inquiries into the incident, said they've since learned that the parents' comments may have been spurred by a Trenton player using a Spanish curse word against a referee - which a Hopewell parent detected.

The referees, however, didn't report that they heard any questionable comments from players or parents, Maloney and Smith said. The referees, when informed by the Trenton coach of the parents' comments though, warned the parents. And the second part of the game was uneventful.

Later in the week, Smith and Hopewell Valley's principal traveled to Trenton to speak with school district and athletic officials and Smith explained to them, "That this does not reflect our community."

Smith said Monday that the discussion went well, and said he's worked with Trenton officials previously, as well as with other districts in Mercer County, adding: "We'll grow from this."

Smith also took action in Hopewell. The district communicated with parents, reminding them that such comments, as well as foul language and cursing, violate state high school sports governing body rules, as well as district rules, the superintendent said.

The district continues to investigate the matter internally, and has identified one or two possible parents involved, Smith said. If a certain level of the incident is corroborated, "We will impose sanctions," Smith said.

Maloney said police are working with the district on the matter, and no charges have been filed.

School district officials in Trenton did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

Trenton is a majority Hispanic school district, with 5,728 students out of its 11,118 students enrolled, according to 2017-2018 state statistics.

Out of Hopewell's 3,518 students, 163 are Hispanic. White students are the majority at 2,676.

Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @kevintshea. Find NJ.com on Facebook