UPDATE, Oct. 13, 7:30 a.m.: 'They tried to kill my son': Frosh parents say star players caused football brawl

The father of top New Jersey football recruit Dorian Hardy said his son was punched in the face by an assistant coach during a brawl that erupted after practice at Paramus Catholic High School last Friday.

At least four Paladins players and assistant coach Michael Mitchell were involved in the melee, according to accounts from parents and a police report obtained by NJ Advance Media. Mitchell also is the father of a Paramus Catholic player involved in the altercation.

Hardy’s father, Charles Hardy, said his son “came to the aid” of a teammate who was hit with a helmet and dazed during the fight. Once the fight was broken up, Mitchell then “punched Dorian twice in the face,” Charles Hardy said.

RELATED: N.J.'s top DE Dorian Hardy commits to Penn State during visit

Dorian Hardy, a 6-foot-5, 245-pound defensive end, is a four-star recruit with more than 30 NCAA Division 1 scholarship offers. He has verbally committed to play next year for Penn State.

Both Hardy and another top recruit involved in the fight — senior running back Jonathan Clark, who has committed to Central Michigan University — have left the school, their parents said.

Charles Hardy’s account of the altercation differs from the narrative described by Paramus police. The physical altercation began around 5:24 p.m. when a player believed to be Dorian Hardy started to pull on another player’s jersey, records say. A teacher intervened in the hallway and broke up the fight, but it continued outside, prompting two other players and Mitchell to join in, the report said.

The fight was broken up by 5:27 p.m., according to the report.

A 14-year-old player involved in the fight had visible swelling to his face, the report stated. It also said that Mitchell “became involved in the altercation,” but it did not say he threw punches.

No charges have been filed at this point, police said.

The incident was reported to police by Paramus Catholic head coach Dan Sabella around 9:30 p.m. last Friday, according to the report.

Sabella and Paramus Catholic athletic director Scott Langan declined comment when reached by phone Wednesday.

Jim Goodness, director of communications for the Archdiocese of Newark, which oversees Paramus Catholic, said his office was “aware of the incident.”

“I also have been advised that everything according to procedures is being followed and the school is dealing with it internally,” he said.

Goodness declined to say whether Mitchell or any of the players involved had been disciplined.

RELATED: Paramus Catholic football adds top-level transfers to team

Charles Hardy said his son, Clark and Mitchell have all been suspended by Paramus Catholic.

Clark has transferred to Hackensack and Hardy is determining where to enroll next. It is unclear if they will be eligible to play football this season for new schools.

Clark’s father, Jonathan Strickland, said his son was trying to break up the fight when he was hit in the back with a helmet by a teammate.

Strickland also said Dorian Hardy was punched twice in the face by Mitchell.

Both Strickland and Charles Hardy were critical of the Paramus Catholic coaching staff and Sabella. Charles Hardy said the head coach has not defended his son or Clark to school officials and is placing their future football careers in jeopardy.

“It’s a travesty that Coach Sabella didn’t stand behind his players,” Charles Hardy said. “I feel as though he threw his players under the bus. Most coaches stand by their players. They want the best for these young men. You don’t do that by throwing them under the bus. These kids have potential scholarships at risk now.”

RELATED: Assistant coach allegedly knocks out former player at scrimmage

Last week's football brawl at Paramus Catholic comes less than three months after former Paladins volunteer assistant coach Ed Tedesco allegedly struck former backup quarterback Derick Suazo, 19, in the face and knocked him unconscious during a 7-on-7 scrimmage at the school. Paramus police also responded to that altercation and actively investigated. Meanwhile, Tedesco claims he was defending himself.

When asked if the Archdiocese is concerned about the state of the Paramus Catholic football program, Goodness said, “We’re always concerned about the safety of students.”

The recent altercations come on the heels of several years of positive publicity for Paramus Catholic football, which has won three state championships since 2012, including last year’s Non-Public, Group 4 title.

The school recently produced 2017 NFL first round draft pick Jabrill Peppers and current Michigan star defensive end Rashan Gary. The team’s former coach until 2014, Chris Partridge, is now the linebackers coach and special teams coordinator at Michigan.

This year’s Paramus Catholic team is struggling and off to a 2-4 start, including a 43-7 blowout loss to Pope John last Saturday, the day after the brawl.

Another talented player, junior Darren Fields, also left Paramus Catholic this week and transferred to Irvington, according to his mother, Tasha Fields. Darren Fields was not involved in the fight, but decided to leave the school after having a verbal altercation with Sabella during last week’s Pope John game, his mother said.

“I just didn’t feel safe with my son being at that school anymore,” Tasha Fields said.

Matthew Stanmyre may be reached at mstanmyre@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MattStanmyre. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Todderick Hunt may be reached at thunt@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TodderickHunt. Find NJ.com on Facebook.