The Patriots were the No. 1 seed in the North 1, Group 4 playoffs before Tuesday's breaking news.
On Tuesday afternoon, a top-seeded team in the state football tournament was disqualified for using three ineligible players.
Now, the father of those players vows to fight the decision.
Vic Hayek confirmed his sons -- senior Hunter Hayek, junior Tyler and sophomore Jaaron -- were the three players from Wayne Hills declared ineligible for violating the NJSIAA’s transfer rule after Wayne Township School District reported the violation.
As a result, Wayne Hills was barred from postseason competition and stripped of its eight wins.
Vic Hayek said he and his attorney are asking the NJSIAA for an emergency meeting.
“We did everything we were supposed to do, the correct way,” Vic Hayek said about the transfer process. “I don’t know how or why this is happening, but we’ve retained an attorney, and we’re going to figure out what’s going on.”
RELATED: No. 1 seed Wayne Hills disqualified from playoffs
According to Vic Hayek, his family filed the correct paperwork and provided a bona fide change of address when his sons transferred from St. Joseph (Mont.) to Wayne Hills in October of 2015.
“Everything was signed off,” Hayek said. “Any documentation that I needed - required by the school - was provided. Now they’re saying that they’re ineligible, and I just don’t know how that’s possible.”
The transfer rule requires all varsity athletes who switch schools without a bona fide change of residence to sit out of competition 30 days.
NJSIAA assistant director Jack DuBois said the players “didn't have a bona fide change of address and they didn't sit out 30 days."
When asked about their residence situation, Hayek declined comment.
According to Tyler Hayek, he and his brothers began school at Wayne Hills on Oct. 12, 2015, and played in a game that same week in a 44-2 win over Teaneck on Oct. 17, while Jaaron played for the freshmen team.
Tyler and Hunter played six varsity games in 2015 and are now two of the team’s biggest contributors. Tyler is committed to Rutgers while Hunter leads the team with 43 catches, 672 yards and 11 touchdowns. Jaaron has played in all nine varsity games as sophomore.
All three brothers play wide receiver and defensive back for a team that finished 8-1 and is ranked No. 14 in the NJ.com Top 20.
“This is an unfortunate situation, of course, and the administration of Wayne Township Public Schools is to be commended for immediately meeting its responsibility under the rules of our association,” NJSIAA Executive Director Steve Timko said in a statement. “Self-reporting is truly the bedrock of the NJSIAA and I applaud Wayne for the commitment to the true spirit of scholastic athletics. I’m proud of them.”
It’s unclear whether a hearing will be granted by the NJSIAA, or whether it’s possible the decision to disqualify the team could even be reversed. When contacted late Tuesday night, the NJSIAA declined comment.
Superintendent Mark Toback and current Wayne Hills athletic director Rich Porfido did not return multiple phone messages seeking comment on Tuesday.
According to Tyler Hayek, Toback will meet with players and parents Wednesday morning to address the situation and answer questions.
Pat Lanni may be reached at planni@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @PatLanniHS. Like NJ.com High School Sports on Facebook.