Football: Cumberland's Hemighaus commits to Monmouth

By Phil Anastasia

Cumberland senior Gabe Hemighaus has committed to attend Monmouth University on a football scholarship.

Hemighaus, a 6-3, 240-pound tight end, made the commitment during an official visit to the school in West Long Branch, N.Y., last weekend.

"I just fell in love with the place," said Hemighaus, a top student who plans to major in biology with an eye toward becoming a doctor. "The guys on the team that I hung out with were so down to earth. The coaching staff was welcoming. It was a great place."

Hemighaus is 10th in a class of 295 students and has a 108 average on a 100-point scale, according to coach Tom Lake.

Hemighaus caught 38 passes for 418 yards last season. He said the Monmouth coaches project him as a tight end.

"He's a true blocking tight end but he still caught 38 passes and I'll bet 25 of them were for first downs," Lake said. "It's the perfect place for him, just close enough that he can get home and just far enough away that he will grow up. It's the best of both worlds."

Contact staff writer Phil Anastasia at panastasia@phillynews.com or @PhilAnastasia on Twitter.