-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Nick Lawler of St. Edmond blocks the extra point against Panorama on Friday inside Dodgers Stadium

Nick Lawler has pushed himself through extra workouts and additional conditioning to become a lineman college coaches are pursuing.

The St. Edmond senior, who holds a handful of offers to play football at the next level, was recently named the Class A, District 2 Lineman of the Year by the coaches. Lawler also was one of three St. Edmond players to earn first team all-district status.

Joining Lawler were senior Jackson Bemrich and junior Thornton Aljets, with Manson Northwest Webster’s Austin Anliker, Tommy Lawman, Dayton Snell and John Schuttler each receiving first team spots, as well.

St. Edmond’s Drew Schaeffer and Sean Flattery, along with Manson NW’s Brayden Johll, Tate Bianchi and Kadin Birkey, were second team picks. Anliker was also tabbed the second team kicker.

Lawler, who has received a preferred walk-on offer from Iowa State along with offers from Northern Iowa, Missouri Western State, Minnesota State and Culver-Stockton, has made game day visits to several schools.

“Being named the top lineman in the district was something I did not expect to receive,” Lawler said. “There are a lot of really good linemen in our district, and I was unsure who would receive the title. It is a huge honor to be given that title and I am very thankful to everyone who has helped me get to where I am today — especially Coach (Matt) Dillon.”

Lawler, a four-year starter along both the offensive and defensive lines, recorded 51 tackles and two sacks this past fall.

The 6-foot-5, 310-pounder also helped the offense record over 1,800 yards from scrimmage and score 18 offensive touchdowns.

“To be named first team all-district again was a goal I set for myself before the season started and I am very glad that I met that goal through the help of my teammates and coaches,” Lawler said. “Both of these titles separately are a big deal, but earning both of them is crazy. I never thought I would be in this position, but I am grateful that I am.

“I would have never gotten either of these awards without all of my coaches and teammates throughout the years pushing me to be better.”

Bemrich, also a multi-year starter and two-way player, recorded 64.5 tackles and two sacks. On offense, he had 12 catches for 123 yards, with another 185 return yards. Aljets made 9 of 12 extra-point attempts and averaged almost 37 yards per kickoff.

Schaeffer threw for 734 yards with seven touchdowns, while Flattery had a team-high 486 yards rushing, six touchdowns and was also the leading tackler with 76.5 stops.

Anliker, a senior, completed 106 of 191 passes for 1,020 yards and six touchdowns, adding 94 yards and three scores on the ground. He also made 28 tackles, had one sack, made two field goals and four extra-points.

Lawman was a key member of the offensive line that helped the Cougars record almost 2,000 yards, while Schuttler led the defense with 57.5 tackles including four for loss with a sack.

Johll was the leading rusher for MNW with 726 yards and four touchdowns, Birkey was the top receiver with 317 yards and three scores, and Bianchi had a team-high 36 receptions for 305 yards. Snell, a junior, made 34 tackles and recovered two fumbles.

Birkey also picked off seven passes, which is currently second-most in Class A and ranks in the Top-10 in the state.

Manson Northwest Webster’s Brian Patterson was one of the assistant coaches of the year along with IKM-Manning’s Cory McCarville, with IKM’s Tom Casey earning coach of the year status.

The offensive player of the year was Jayden Harder of Sioux Central and the top defensive player was IKM’s Colten Brandt.

CLASS A, DISTRICT 2 ALL-DISTRICT TEAM

First Team

Offense

Austin Anliker, Manson NW, QB, sr.; Kyler Rasmussen, IKM-Manning, RB, jr.; Amos Rasmussen, IKM-Manning, RB, soph.; Jayden Harder, Sioux Central, RB, jr.; Will Jorgensen, IKM-Manning, OL, sr.; Tommy Lawman, Manson NW, OL, sr.; Jair Lopez, Alta-Aurelia, OL, sr.; Nick Lawler, St. Edmond, OL, sr.; Jared Vohs, Ridge View, OL, sr.; Trent Anderson, Sioux Central, TE, sr.; Parker Behrens, IKM-Manning, WR, sr; ; Thornton Aljets, St. Edmond, K, jr.

Defense

Brody Swearingen, IKM-Manning, DL, jr.; Brady Madsen, Sioux Central, DL, sr.; Dylan Wood, Ridge View, DE, sr.; Jackson Bemrich, St. Edmond, DE, sr.; Colten Brandt, IKM-Manning, LB, sr.; John Schuttler, Manson NW, LB, sr.; Teagan Pritchard, Sioux Central, LB, sr.; Alex DeRoos, Alta-Aurelia, LB, jr.; Jake Saunders, Sioux Central, DB, sr.; Carson Elston, Alta-Aurelia, DB, sr.; Logan McCoy, Alta-Aurelia, sr., U; Logan McCoy, Alta-Aurelia, P sr.; Amos Rasmussen, IKM-Manning, RS, soph.

Second Team

Offense

Nolan Ramsey, IKM-Manning, QB, soph.; Drew Schaeffer, St. Edmond, QB, jr.; Brayden Johll, Manson NW, RB, jr.; Preston McCoy, Alta-Aurelia, RB, soph.; Sean Flattery, St. Edmond, RB, jr.; Jacob Dentlinger, IKM-Manning, OL, sr.; Ryan Jensen, Atla-Aurelia, OL, jr.; Chris Birks, IKM-Manning, OL, sr.; Zach Erpelding, Alta-Aurelia, OL, soph.; Cole Winkel, Ridge View, TE, jr.; Tate Bianchi, Manson NW, WR, soph; Austin Anliker, Manson NW, K, sr.

Defense

Jaxon Moffitt, Sioux Central, DL, jr.; Grant Behrens, IKM-Manning, DL, sr.; Dakota Deuschle, Sioux Central, DL, soph.; Branden Mier, Alta-Aurelia, DL, jr.; Ben Conlin, Sioux Central, DL, jr.; Conner Halbur, IKM-Manning, DL, soph.; Dayton Snell, Manson NW, LB, jr.; Brecken Conover, Ridge View, LB, jr.; Mitchell Kerkhoff, IKM-Manning, LB, soph.; Kadin Birkey, Manson NW, DB, sr.; Michael Ryherd, Alta-Aurelia, DB, sr.; Kaleb Scott, Sioux Central, DB, sr.; Parker Behrens, IKM-Manning, RS, sr.