It was one of the biggest wins of Nasir Gaines’ coaching career, taking down an undefeated opponent in one of the most highly anticipated matchups of the 2025 season.

But it wasn’t without difficulty.

After Newark’s Malcolm X Shabazz High won a hard-fought game against previously unbeaten Kinnelon 28-14 last month, Gaines gathered his Shabazz players in the end zone.

“Stop being okay with being average,” he shouted, still fuming over an interception that stopped a touchdown drive late in the first half, leaving the game in a defensive back-and-forth.

“God don’t make mistakes,” Gaines continued, instilling in his players a lesson: if they removed mental errors, the world was theirs for the taking.

Flash forward to Nov. 14, and Shabazz won its third consecutive North Jersey, Group 2 sec

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