Cinjun Erskine Helps Barnegat Take Big Step Toward Division Title with Win Over Lakewood

Videos and statistics by Ryne Olsen - Shore Sports Network contributor

Barnegat took a crucial step toward its second straight Class B South title and clinched a spot in the state playoffs for the fifth straight year thanks to a strong game by senior quarterback Cinjun Erskine, who ran for a pair of touchdowns and also caught his first career touchdown to power a 24-22 win over visiting Lakewood on Friday night.

A trick play pass from junior running back Paul Wickwire back to Erskine for a touchdown in the third quarter gave the Bengals (6-1, 5-1) a 24-14 lead and they held on to knock off the Piners (4-3, 4-2) for a big divisional win. Barnegat can now claim no worse than a tie for the Class B South crown by beating Pinelands on Thanksgiving.

Erskine also had a pair of 6-yard touchdown runs in the victory, and Connor Lustenberger kicked a 20-yard field goal.

Senior quarterback Chapelle Cook ran for a 3-yard touchdown and threw a touchdown pass to senior tight end Datrell Reed, and junior Amir Tyler added a 3-yard touchdown run in the loss for Lakewood.

Box score

Barnegat 24, Lakewood 22

. Barnegat Lakewood

First Downs: 9 13

Rushes/Yards: 24-114 34-144

Passing/Yards: 5/8-81 6/12-80

Penalties: 4-45 5-35

Interceptions: 0 1

Fumbles/Lost: 3-2 3-2

Lakewood (4-3, 4-2) – 6 8 0 8 - 22

Barnegat (6-1, 5-1) – 10 7 7 0 - 24

Scoring Summary: