Given the Lawrence High football teamâÂÂs potent offense this season, it was no surprise the Lions landed four players on the All-Sunflower League first team.

But with seniors Brandon McAnderson and Derrick Newman being named as the only players to first-team offense and defense, well, that was a bit unexpected.

Not that LHS coach Dirk Wedd didnâÂÂt think it could happen.

âÂÂThat he and Derrick made it on both teams is indicative of how important they were to our football team,â said Wedd of his teamâÂÂs 8-3 season, the best mark in six years. âÂÂI think they played 100, 120 snaps a game, and for them to play at that high level all the time just says a lot about both players.âÂÂ

LHS seniors Kenny Poeverlein and Chris Fulton also were named all-league on offense, while Free State had one all-league selection on both sides of the ball. Senior Bijai Jones was selected at receiver, while senior Matt Lane was a choice on the defensive line.

FSHS seniors Misha Hernandez and Lane also were second-team offense selections, along with junior Dain Dillingham, while seniors David Allen, Ben Gray and Cole Douglas were second-team defense. LHS senior Brian Seymour and junior Josh Lawrence were second-team defense selections. Another 12 Lions received honorable mentions, while 10 Firebirds were honorable mention picks.

LHS tied Olathe North with four players on the first-team offense, while the Eagles, who won their third straight Class 6A state title on Saturday, placed three on the first-team defense, tops among teams.

The Lions, who had the leagueâÂÂs highest scoring offense and rushed for more than 3,500 yards this season, were dominant on offense because of their big guys up front, Newman (6-foot-3, 265 pounds) and Poeverlein (6-3, 280).

âÂÂBoth Derrick and Kenny were two of the reasons we had two first-team running backs,â Wedd said. âÂÂWeâÂÂre running right behind those guys.âÂÂ

McAnderson (6-0, 217) also was a first-team selection on offense and defense last year, giving him a remarkable two-year run of postseason awards. Of course, Wedd knew the potential for those awards was there.

âÂÂYou put Brandon on one side of the ball, and he carries it 35, 40 times a game,â he said. âÂÂIf you put him on just defense, heâÂÂs probably going to be the best linebacker in the midwest.âÂÂ

The senior, who orally committed to Kansas University, rushed for 1,789 yards this season, while his backfield partner, Fulton (6-1, 180), also broke the 1,000 yard mark. But FultonâÂÂs production came as a surprise.

âÂÂIâÂÂd say we realized what we had by the Olathe East game,â Wedd said, referring to the Lionsâ third game. âÂÂHe became a football player because Scott (coach Stidham) really sold him on running between the tackles.âÂÂ

Free State, which finished the season 7-3, had one of the leagueâÂÂs top passing games. So it only made sense that at least one player snag all-league honors. Jones caught 36 passes for 545 yards, but it was his size (6-5, 195) and athletic ability that amazed league coaches.

âÂÂBijai made amazing catches this year,â FSHS coach Bob Lisher said. âÂÂThe young man has worked very hard to get where he is, and it shows. HeâÂÂs a competitive son of a gun.âÂÂ

As for Lane, who played defensive end for the Firebirds, he wasnâÂÂt ever the biggest guy on the defensive line (6-3, 215), but his ferocity couldnâÂÂt be matched.

âÂÂHe just worked hard every day in practice,â Lisher said. âÂÂHe came out and continued to work hard. That desire to win also rubbed off on his teammates.âÂÂ