What happens when a lifelong dream is ripped away in an instance? When everything you’ve ever worked for is taken from you in the blink of an eye? And how does that impact a young person’s life?

Those questions and more are explored in the fifth episode of NJ.com’s new podcast, “Lights Out: The loss of a lifetime.” You can listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. The eight-part series debuts a new episode every Tuesday.

The latest episode opens just hours after the 1990 Montclair Mounties have lost the state championship to the Randolph Rams in a stunning, unbelievable turn of events that led the matchup to eventually be known as “The Miracle at Montclair.” Many Montclair players, fans and coaches believed officials made crucial mistakes in the final seconds that helped Randolph effectively “steal” the game, and they’re coping with those emotions in various ways.

Plus, those final, controversial seconds are broken down and examined in intricate detail and like never before in the latest episode, uncovering information that sheds new light on what truly happened at the end of the game.

The episode also explores the many conspiracy theories and urban legends that spawned after the game, including speculation the North Jersey mob was involved.

Lights Out is a production of Campside Media and Entertainment One, in association with NJ Advance Media and XTR. The podcast is based off NJ Advance Media’s 2019 award-winning feature story, “The day that changed everything.”

You can listen, rate and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. New episodes will be released every Tuesday.

Our journalism needs your support. Please consider subscribing to NJ.com.

Matthew Stanmyre may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @MattStanmyre. Find NJ.com on Facebook.