ABERDEEN

Glenn Cross is broadening his game. Long an established linebacker in Matawan’s lineup, Cross has been receiving more touches on offense, with great results.

Cross broke out in Matawan’s 21-7 victory over Wall on Saturday night, racking up 160 rushing yards on 19 carries in the Shore Conference Class B North game.

“This is my best game running the ball,” said Cross, a 6-1, 190-pound senior. “I definitely like the extra responsibility. I felt comfortable and guys were making good blocks for me.”

Unranked Matawan (4-1, 3-1) was No. 4 until losing 46-10 to Neptune two weeks ago. The drop was warranted by Matawan’s minus-32 yards rushing and 45 yards of total offense that day.

The offense decided to show up against Wall (2-4, 1-3). Matawan rushed for 261 yards and quarterback Kashaun Barnes was 8 of 14 for 162 yards with a pair of touchdown passes.

On the other side of the ball, Cross had an interception and Wall was held to 55 rushing yards and 85 passing yards.

Even being forced to play catch-up did Wall no good. After falling behind by a touchdown in the second quarter, the Crimson Knights failed to cross the 50-yard line in the second half.

“Glenn is known more for what he’s done on defense and really didn’t play much offense at all last year,” said Matawan coach John Kaye. “We don’t have a dominant running back this year so we use five guys. He’s one of them. We spread the wealth.”

With a bye week to get the Neptune loss out of their system, the Huskies yielded an early touchdown to Wall but then started clicking and earned a 14-7 halftime lead, with quarterback Barnes breaking a tie with a two-yard touchdown run 7:58 before intermission.

Wall scored first on a 40-yard Jack Gifford pass to Chris Quinlan, the same combination that hit on a 61-yard TD in a win over Brick last week.

Those were Wall’s finest moments as the Crimson Knights moved the ball a total of 77 yards on the possession after John Louro recovered a fumble from Cross. Gifford also completed a 21-yard pass to Cadell Kennedy on the seven-play possession drive and Pete Miceli carried the ball three times for 12 yards.

Then Matawan went on a sharp rally that carried right through the second quarter. The Huskies registered 11 first downs in the half. Their first touchdown, tying the game at 7, came on a 71-yard possession and ended with a 35-yard TD pass from Barnes to Dan Incle. Barnes had kept the ball himself 3 times for 21 rushing yards on the drive and Cross chipped in with a 13-yard gain.

Matawan capped the scoring when Barnes threw 18 yards to Chris Solomon for a TD with 6:49 left in the fourth quarter.