Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Dayson Clayton of Fort Dodge runs the ball against Sioux City East during the regular season.

A trio of Fort Dodge football seniors were named to the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association all-state team on Monday, giving the Dodgers multiple honorees in four consecutive seasons for the first time in nearly 30 years.

Sam Daniel, Dayson Clayton and Tyler Schreier were recognized among the best of the best in Class 4A. Daniel, a record-setting defensive back, made the second team. Clayton — a standout running back — and Schreier — a top receiver and return man — landed on the third squad.

Daniel shattered FDSH’s single-season and all-time interception record this past fall, picking off eight passes in as many games to push his career total to 12. In addition to being an elite safety, Daniel also returned kickoffs at a 31.6-yard average and accumulated over 200 yards from scrimmage as a part-time offensive threat.

“Entering the season, I really wasn’t focused on what recognition or award I’d receive at the end of the year,” Daniel said. “I just went into every game focusing on the job I had to complete, and it all came together.

“Receiving this recognition means so much to me. It couldn’t have happened without (first-year head) Coach (Nik) Moser and the rest of the staff for pushing me on and off the field. My teammates have also had such an impact on all of this. There was a great sense of family to this team, and the bond I have with all my teammates everything just clicked. I am so thankful for being a part of the Fort Dodge football program. All the friends, memories, ups, and downs…I wouldn’t have traded it for anything.”

Clayton, just the second four-year starter in Dodger history, rushed for 1,055 yards and nine touchdowns while being limited by an ankle injury. Clayton had 679 yards in the first two weeks of the season, with the first- and third-best single-game performances ever at FDSH.

“It’s a honor to make the all-state team,” said Clayton, who was also a third teamer as a sophomore. “Not everyone gets to experience that, so I’m thankful.

“Fort Dodge football throughout my four years has been the most enjoyable time I’ve had. I consider all of my teammates (through the years) my brothers, and I still keep contact with a lot of them to this day. I’m very thankful to be a Dodger.”

Clayton closed his career with 3,481 rushing yards, second to only Sam Cook and Dayson’s older brother, Jontel, on the program’s all-time charts.

Schreier was a jet on both offense and special teams. He had 48 receptions for 714 yards and nine touchdowns — all near the top in 4A — and also averaged 21 yards on kick returns.

“This is a great honor,” Schreier said. “For me, as (the lasting memory of football) and being a part of this community and my Dodger family, I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

The Dodgers last had multiple all-staters in four consecutive seasons from 1988-91. Daniel, Clayton and Schreier joined Trey Mosley and Drake Miller (2017), Tysen Kershaw, Bryson Opande, Clayton and Miller (2018), and Asle Thorson, Austin Lee and Kershaw (2019) as a part of this most recent surge, which now stands at 12 players honored since ’17.

Fort Dodge was 3-5 this year, with four regular-season losses coming to programs that finished in 4A’s Top-10.

In 1988, Tjeran Thorson, Tim Mosley and Matt Peters were recognized. The following season, Charles Bodady, Joe Crooks and Buck Yoder made the all-state list. Jon Pilcher, Nathan Helmer and Bodady were picked in 1990, and Antonio Love, Darin Astor, Craig Twigg and Alonzo Clayton landed spots in ’91.