Todd Rose | Daily Press North Central’s Lane Nehring (center) poses after signing his letter of intent to attend St. Norbert College Thursday in Powers. Also pictured are Cole Nehring (left), Myles Nehring (center behind) and Misty Nehring (right).

POWERS — Thursday afternoon, North Central’s Lane Nehring made his next steps official as he signed his national letter of intent to play football at St. Norbert College as a member of the Green Knights next year.

“I’m excited,” said Nehring. “Excited to be a Green Knight next fall and for the next four years.”

When it came down to making his decision, education was at the forefront of Nehring’s mind.

“Really, it came down to St. Norbert’s and Eau Claire. Those were my main two,” he said. “Really what set them apart was the schooling. Obviously, I’m not going just to play football. I’m going for school, too. Both are great football programs but, honestly, at the end, St. Norbert’s as a school is what got me.”

Nehring, though not completely sure on what his major will be, has his eyes set on studying something sports related such as kinesiology or exercise science.

To play at the next level of football, and especially 11-player football, is an invigorating aspect of this opportunity added Nehring.

“I’m excited just to play some college-level competition. We didn’t have much competition this year so getting to play other college athletes — everyone is a stud on their high school team in college,” he said. “So, it’ll be good to play some college competition and be close to home.

“(11-player football) is what I’ve been waiting for. That’s something I enjoy. I’d rather be playing 11-man than 8-man.”

The close proximity to home played a little bit of a role, said Nehring, in choosing SNC as it means his parents can see him play easily, and should he want to visit home for a weekend, he can do that as well.

The challenge of moving away for school, however, is one that Nehring feels will be easily managed from his past experiences of boarding school.

“I don’t think that will be too tough,” he said. “I went to a boarding school my junior year, so I feel like I’ve kind of already had the college experience. I’ve had a year of it already.”

Nehring, in addition to his parent and coaches who were in attendance, had some extra people he wanted to thank.

“I want to shout out all of my friends at Reserve and all my coaches at Reserve,” he said. “They’re not here, but if they were, they’d be here to take pictures, too.”

North Central coach Jeff Nason and head coach Leo Gorzinski each had nothing but excitement to share over Nehring’s signing.

“It’s outstanding,” Nason said. “Any time you can get a kid at our level to play at the next level of college — I don’t care if it’s Division 1, Division 2, Division 3 or NAIA — it’s a beautiful thing. He should be proud of his accomplishments.”

Both Nason and Gorzinski have watched Nehring from the role of coaches for years and know the impact he has had on the North Central program firsthand.

“He’s meant a ton,” Nason said. “Leo’s coached him since fifth grade, I’ve coached him since sixth grade. Seeing this kid who was just this little guy — he was still a big guy at sixth grade for our level of football — to see him mature and grow into a young man and to be the football player he was — two-time All-State and probably most dominant lineman in the Upper Peninsula — it’s pretty outstanding.”

Gorzinski, in addition to sharing Nason’s feelings, added how proud he is to see Nehring make the next level.

“We are just so proud of him,” Gorzinski said. “(It’s great) anytime someone from your program makes it to the next level. We just want to wish him the best.”