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Abington Heights athlete recruited as tight end

Morgan Craig grew accustomed to fighting for football championships at Abington Heights High School.

Craig will get the chance to do the same on the college level after deciding this week to accept a full athletic scholarship from Villanova University.

“Their coaching staff is great,” Craig said. “They were 2009 national champions and they made the semifinals last year.

“Obviously, they’re doing well for themselves.”

The Wildcats compete on the Division I Football Championship Series (formerly Division I-AA) level.

Craig visited the school last weekend and gave his verbal commitment Tuesday night. He had also visited Western Michigan and had a visit scheduled for Temple before canceling it when he made the decision on Villanova.

A two-way end, Craig caught the attention of college recruiters with his play at tight end while performing well enough on the defensive side of the ball to receive postseason recognition.

The 6-foot-4, 245-pounder was a first-team, all-state selection by sports writers and a Hookey Reap Award winner as the top lineman in Lackawanna County for his play on defense. Dunmore’s Paul Gaughan, a Boston College recruit, won the offensive half of the Reap Award.

As a tight end, his likely position in college, Craig landed a spot on the Pennsylvania roster for the June 18 game against Ohio at Hersheypark Stadium.

Craig said Villanova coaches approve of him playing in the prestigious game.

“They knew about it,” he said. “It’s just exciting to have a chance to play.

“I definitely know it has a great tradition.”

Craig helped Abington Heights to three Lackawanna Football Conference Division 1 titles and two District 2 Class AAA championships in the last three seasons. The Comets shared the 2009 division championship with North Pocono.

REPORTED FIRST

Thursday, Jan. 20, at 8:18 a.m.

at golackawanna.com