Friends since preschool, Homestead football players sign letters of intent on National Signing Day

MEQUON (WITI) -- A lot of blood, sweat and tears go into becoming a football player good enough to play at the collegiate level -- for the parents, as well as the student-athletes. But it's a labor of love.

"It hasn't really hit me yet, but it will," Homestead High School senior David Pfaff said.

On National Signing Day, Pfaff, the Wisconsin Defensive Player of the Year signed his letter of intent to play football for the Wisconsin Badgers.

"I'm very excited obviously because it's the Wisconsin Badgers. I just hope I can make an impact," Pfaff said.

It was also a big day for Homestead Highlanders offensive lineman Elijah Perine, who hopes to make an impact at the University of Sioux Falls and Nick Ziebell, a tight end and receiver who overcame a serious injury and snagged a scholarship to Concordia University-St. Paul.

"I'm just really appreciative of the opportunity that I have now. I never really thought that I'd be able to play at the next level," Ziebell said.

National Signing Day was another proud day for Homestead High School and its football program. It was all about the young men on this day, but it was also about the parents who developed relationships behind-the-scenes while supporting their sons from day one.

"The boys started their relationship in preschool, Learning Tree Preschool in Mequon when they were four years old," Barb Pfaff said of her son David Pfaff and Judy Ziebell's son Nick Ziebell.

Barb Pfaff and Judy Ziebell have known each other almost as long as their sons have been alive.

"It's like family. We've all been together for a long time and have experienced them growing up together and it's been a lot of fun. When you see your children having such a passion, it's easy to get wrapped up in that passion with them. I think we were kind of blessed to be along for the ride," Judy Ziebell said.

"I don't think it really gets any better than this. To put into words is kind of hard -- to watch your child realize his dream. I'm proud of him, happy for him, and it just doesn't get any better," Rick Ziebell said.

"My parents' support means everything. With them by my side, I feel like I can do anything," Nick Ziebell said.

"This has been a long road. We've been at this since fifth grade, and to get to this point now is very special. We are very blessed," Barb Pfaff said.

"He's been on a mission actually. He's kind of approached it all along as shooting for the stars, and I guess he's made it," David Pfaff's father David said.

"I dreamed, but I didn't think it would come true and I'm just so...just so happy," the young David Pfaff said.