2026 NEMFCA 8-Man Hall of Fame Inductee Salutes - Lance Thorell, Loomis High School

This is our seventh of fifteen 2026 Nebraska Eight Man Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame inductees. We proudly salute one of 8-Man football’s most amazing, versatile athletess ever, Lance Thorell of Loomis.

LANCE THORELL – LOOMIS HIGH SCHOOL

Lance was an outstanding all-around athlete in football, basketball, and track and had one of the most decorated careers in the history of Nebraska prep sports. However, it is his exploits as an explosive “do-it-all” player on both sides of the ball for legendary Coach Denis Reese that led him to the 8-Man Hall of Fame. From 2003 to 2006, Lance led the Wolves to 4 straight playoff appearances (including the 2004 semifinals) and was honored as a 3-time 1st Team All- District and 1st Team All-State selection at three different positions (wide receiver, defensive back, and athlete).

He set school records for yards (913) & receptions in a season (49), and receiving touchdowns in a season (14) & career (19). Lance also accounted for over 440 tackles, 15 Interceptions, and 59 touchdowns in his career and was named the Kearney Hub Athlete of the Year.

In 2007, he was selected to play in both the Nebraska Shrine Bowl and the Eight-Man All-Star Game where he was named as the Most Valuable Offensive Player. After high school, Lance became a scholarship player for the University of Nebraska, where he played in 52 games, was a 4-year letter-winner, and a member of the Cornhusker’s famed “Blackshirt” Defense. The NEMFCA is honored to now welcome him into the Eight Man Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026.

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*1000 Yard Guy sez…..The term that first comes to mind when the name of Lance Thorell is mentioned is “Renaissance Man”.Webster’s Dictionary describes the meaning of the word as follows, “A person with a wide range of talents and deep knowledge across multiple fields.” That would be Lance Thorell.

His high school athletic career final tally sheet looks like this: Three time All-State Football, Two Time All-State Basketball and 120 High Hurdles and 300 Intermediate Hurdles State Champions his last two years of competition at the State Track Meet.

There’s not a whole lot more an athlete can do in a career than that and it was on the gridiron where Lance Thorell flourished. Not many 8-Man players can boast that they saw playing time, often extensively, in 52 games for the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team..

Now you know what it takes to be inducted into our prestigious NEMFCA Eight Man Football Hall of Fame!