Football: Shawnee's Smith out with injury

Shawnee senior offensive lineman Tom Smith will miss most if not all of the season with a back injury, according to Renegades coach Tim Gushue.

Gushue said Smith needs to rest his back for two or three months. There's a chance that the 6-4, 260-pound Smith could return for the last couple of games of the season, especially if the Renegades advance deep in the playoffs.

But that might be a longshot, given the complications involved with back injuries.

Smith is a top lineman. He was to join with veterans such as Bob Bradley, Jesse Osbourbe and Rob Beachy to form one of the best offensive lines in South Jersey.

Gushue thinks the Shawnee offensive and defensive lines still will be a strength of the team.

Shawnee opens Friday night against Pennsauken in what should be the game of the year in the WJFL National Division. Both teams are in The Inquirer preseason Top 10.

"This is high school football -- we're worried about Tom, not us," Gushue said.

Gushue said Smith is a top student who still might be able to continue his football career at the collegiate level after resting and rehabilitating his injury.

-- Phil Anastasia