Up-tempo offense and discipline gives legendary N.J. football coach career win No. 299

Shawnee coach Tim Gushue talks to his team following a win over Pleasantville at Shawnee High School in Medford, New Jersey on Thursday, September 3, 2026. Michael Taylor for D2 Sports Network

MEDFORD — Tim Gushue remembers his first win as a high school football coach.

A 7-6 decision over Pemberton in 1983.

Gushue doesn’t keep count of his wins, but his granddaughters never hesitate to remind him.

In his 44th season at the helm, Gushue earned career win No. 299 with Shawnee’s 28-14 triumph over Pleasantville in a West Jersey Football League Colonial Division tilt on a warm Thursday night.

“My granddaughters told me that (it was win No. 299),” Gushue said. “I don’t pay attention to that stuff.”

The Renegades upped the tempo on offense on their opening drive to tire the defense and move 58 yards in over six minutes. The drive resulted in a turnover on downs on the Greyhounds’ 3-yard line, but it set the tone for the remainder of the opening half.

After Shawnee forced Pleasantville to punt out of its own end zone, the Renegades capitalized on a short field with a 29-yard drive that resulted in a 9-yard touchdown run by Cole Anderson.

With Anderson and quarterback Niko Fifis taking turns lining up behind center, the variety of pre-snap alignments kept the Greyhounds’ defense off balance. It led to a 14-0 lead for Shawnee through two quarters.

“It definitely helps us,” Anderson said. “Watching film it’s definitely very confusing (for opponents). We’ve been working on it in practice. It just unlocks so much more to our playbook. It’s definitely going to be helpful throughout the future.”

Anderson rushed for 146 yards and three touchdowns in the win. His last score gave the Renegades a 22-point lead with less than eight minutes left to play.

“It felt great,” Anderson said. “It was definitely good to get in the end zone. My adrenaline just kind of took over.”

Pleasantville showed signs of life on the first drive of the second half with a seven-play, 85-yard drive that resulted in a 2-yard touchdown run by Takiesse Barnes. A 38-yard rush by Barnes and a 39-yard burst by Nazir Griffin helped set up the score.

After Anderson’s second and third touchdowns created a three-possession deficit to overcome in the waning minutes, the Greyhounds didn’t surrender.

Virginia Tech commit Semaj Dozier tossed a knuckleball to Raleil Wiggins in an effort to avoid a sack. Wiggins raced down the left sideline and cut across the field for an 84-yard touchdown with 6:44 left.

“They are so explosive,” Gushue said. “They have several really good athletes.”

Pleasantville was plagued by penalties throughout the contest. False starts on back-to-back plays throughout and a few unsportsmanlike conduct calls in critical moments led to long yardage situations. The Greyhounds committed 18 penalties for 122 yards.

“We can’t help somebody beat us,” Pleasantville coach Elijah Glover said. “We beat ourselves.”

The Greyhounds fell to 0-2 and will host Cape-Atlantic League rival Cedar Creek next Friday.

“We have athletes on this team,” Glover said. “We just have to do things consistently and not in bits and spurts. … We’ll get back to the drawing board. We got seven more opportunities to get this right and get on the right side of the column.”

The next win for Gushue will be No. 300. An opportunity awaits as the Renegades travel to Cherry Hill East next Thursday.

The mission remains the same.

Improve each week.

“We’re getting better,” Gushue said. “This group works really well together. We have to be methodical. We can’t afford to give anybody anything. That’s something we’re continuing to work on. I’m just excited for the kids. We’re 2-0 and that’s something we can build on.”