Butler senior Rick Gladd, who has been an offensive lineman since his freshman year, relishes playing the position despite the lack of glamour.

So you want to be an offensive lineman?

Welcome to the world of thankless anonymity.

"I admire kids at that position because that's where I played," Butler coach Jeff McAnallen said. "Kids in that role love to play football, because there's no glory or glamour about being in the trenches.

"A team's success begins and ends with its line play."

Knoch coach Mike King agreed.

"It's not a high-profile position," he said. "It's a lot of time, effort and internal pride."

Here is a look at some of the area's top offensive linemen in 2008, as selected by their respective head coaches:

•

RICK GLADD, 6-1, 232, Butler — "He works hard and plays the game the way it's supposed to be played."McAnallen said.Gladd has been an offensive lineman since ninth grade."You don't get external glory, but we linemen have our own competition, like number of pancake blocks,"Gladd said. "My goals are to make all-conference and make my blocks."•

MIKE DeFILIPPO, 6-1, 237, Seneca Valley — "He knows the offense and he doesn't make mistakes," said SV coach Ron Butschle of DeFilippo, who moves from center to tackle this year. "He's been starting since halfway through his sophomore year and he's got an edge to him."•

HENRY CYPHER, 6-2, 225, Knoch — "He's quick, he's strong and he's ferocious,"King said. "He has an attitude that doesn't quit. Henry has just been a physical force in practice."Cypher has been a lineman every year he's played football."We have a job to do, too, and it's to work together up front," he said. "Making all-conference last year meant a lot to me. It means you're impressing the guys you're playing against."•

NOLAN NEARHOOF, 6-2, 260, CHAD NELSON, 6-5, 273, and BRODY EVANSON, 6-1, 290, Mars — "These guys run, just like everybody else in practice," said Planets coach Scott Heinauer, who was a lineman at Sto-Rox High. "But they don't get tired. They've all taken part in every speed camp we have had."•

MILES SMOLIC, 6-5, 220, Freeport — First-year head coach John Gaillot touts a few linemen, but Smolic, a senior, brings the experience an offense needs."Miles played some as a sophomore and he has a very good attitude. He has a great deal of potential."•

DEVIN COLLINS, 5-8, 201 and COREYGIFFORD, 5-9, 251, Karns City — How do you separate an offensive line that wins the district and competes in the state playoffs?Coach Ed Conto can't, as most of his offensive linemen return, but these two guards have been a strength."The guards I've got, their motors never stop," said Conto. "I'm happy with our guards, and our tackles all have the ability to go hard. I'm hoping to settle in on three guards, three tackles and a center."•

TONY PAPLEY, 5-10, 250, Slippery Rock — "He's versatile. He can play three positions on the line and he's the strongest kid I have ever coached," said Rockets coachClyde Conti. "I think he's a prospect to play somewhere (in college) down the line."•

JOE STINER, 6-0, 210, and BEAU ESHENBAUGH, 5-11, 200, Moniteau — Stiner moved to center this season to fill the void left by Adam Clark, who moved out of the school district."He played a little linebacker, some defensive line for us last season," said Warriors coach Jeff Campbell. "I've been real impressed with how he has taken to the position."Eshenbaugh is a stalwart at right guard for Moniteau."I've been very impressed with both of them."•

JASON FERDERBER, 6-3, 220, Grove City — Eagles coach Jeff Bell picked a tight end as one of his best blockers.Ferderber also is a threat in the passing game, making him twice as dangerous."If you count tight end, he's probably our best blocker, technique-wise," Bell said.•

JARED BURROWS, 6-1, 205, A-C Valley — "He works hard, is consistent and he never complains," said Falcons coach Gary Pinkerton.•

DILLON HEASLEY, 5-8, 160, Union — First-year Golden Knights coach Jeremy Lipps picked Heasley because of effort."He's a smaller guy who doesn't let anything stop him," Lipps said. "Dillon has the kind of attitude you want the whole team to develop. He's enthusiastic and he's dedicated in the weight room."•

TRAVIS MILLER, 5-6, 280, Summit Academy — Coach Steve Sherer has a team of new players ever year, but Miller has been standing out so far."He's the anchor of the line and he's worked really hard."