The Tonganoxie High senior could continue his football career in the junior college ranks or opt for a four-year school.

Hecht chose the latter route, signing a national letter of intent with Benedictine College.

The senior said Highland Community College and Fort Scott Community College had shown interest in him, but a campus visit to Atchison solidified his decision to sign with BC.

Hecht got to see the team play during one of his visits. He found the team to be a tight-knit bunch and a group of which he wanted to be a part.

“The campus is just beautiful,” Hecht said.

During his four-year career at THS, Hecht was part of teams that made back-to-back playoff appearances in 2012 and 2013, the program’s first postseason qualifications since 2005.

As a junior in 2013, Hecht was part of a Chieftain team that finished 9-2 following a 28-10 second-round playoff loss to Baldwin.

While with the Chieftains, Hecht split time between the quarterback and tight end positions offensively. He also lined up as a defensive end.

Benedictine recruited Hecht as a quarterback, the THS senior said.

The Chieftain just finished up his fourth year on the THS basketball team and also played baseball as a freshman and sophomore.

Hecht plans to major in sports medicine while at Benedictine.

He won’t be too far away from home at the Atchison campus and will be surrounded by familiar folks.

Classmate Jared Sommers also signed with the Ravens and former Chieftain running back Cole Holloway is on the team.

“I think that was just a bonus,” Hecht said.

The Ravens have their spring game Saturday and open the 2015 season Aug. 29 against Evangel University.

Benedictine, which competes in the Heart of America Athletic Conference, finished 7-4 in 2014.

The program has compiled seven straight winning seasons, including a 9-3 mark in 2011 and a 10-2 campaign in 2013.

The Ravens compete as a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics school.

This year’s NAIA playoffs will conclude with the national championship Dec. 19 being played in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Larry Wilcox again will lead the Ravens in 2015. The coach has been at the helm of Benedictine football since 1979.