They are the big guys up front with big numbers on the back of their uniforms who never hear their name announced during the game until they are flagged for a penalty.

They are offensive linemen.

Yesterday, three of them from district teams were named to the Associated Press Little All-America second team -- California junior center Tim McCutcheon (6-0, 300), IUP senior left tackle Jason Capizzi (6-9, 315) and Washington & Jefferson senior left tackle Chris Teter (6-0, 280).

Edinboro senior linebacker Ben Stroup (6-1, 215), the Pennsylvania State Athletic West Defensive Player of the Year, is first team on the team comprised of players from NCAA Divisions II and III and NAIA.

"It's nice to know people actually are watching you play," said McCutcheon, a graduate of Quaker Valley High School. "Just because you don't run or throw the football doesn't mean you don't do anything."

In addition to the AP team, McCutcheon was named to the American Football Coaches Association Division II All-America team earlier this week.

"Honors like these aren't what you're playing for at all, but they're nice to get," he said. "As a center on a line that gave up just four sacks, I guess you could say I did my job changing protection and calling different protections."

This is the second consecutive year California has placed a player on the AP Little All-America team. Running back Antoine Bagwell was the first Vulcan named to the team when he made it in 2005.

"It's nice to get some recognition for the school," McCutcheon said. "For [offensive linemen], it tells you somebody out there knows what you're doing."

Capizzi, a graduate of Pine-Richland, has stood out the past three seasons at IUP after transferring from the University of Pittsburgh. At 6-9, Capizzi is the tallest player to wear a football uniform at IUP. Capizzi, who was credited with allowing only one sack in his career, became the first player from IUP on the AP Little All-America team since wide receiver Carmelo Ocasio was third team in 2002.

Capizzi, the first IUP player on the AFCA team since cornerback Joey Flora in 2001, is the latest in a line of outstanding IUP offensive linemen that includes Chris Villarrial (Buffalo Bills) and Leander Jordan (San Diego Chargers) in the NFL.

W&J's Teter, a member of the AFCA Division III All-America team, is one of 17 players from Division III on the AP Little All-America teams. Teter is the ninth player from W&J named to the team, following wide receiver Aaron Krepps on the third team in 2005 and strong safety Frank Pilato on the first team in '04.

Teter anchored a line that helped W&J lead the Presidents' Athletic Conference in 12 offensive categories, including total offense (357.5 ypg), scoring (32.7 ppg) and rushing (182.6 ypg). Teter is in Aguascalientes, Mexico, on the United States team that will face the Mexican National Team tomorrow in the 2006 Aztec Bowl.

Stroup, the leading tackler in the PSAC this season with 105 for the highest total by an Edinboro player since 1996, had 5.5 sacks, two interceptions and seven pass break-ups.

The AP Little All-America first team featured the prolific passing combination of Grand Valley State quarterback Cullen Finnerty and wide receiver Eric Fowler. Finnerty passed for 2,995 yards and 40 touchdowns this season, and Fowler led the country with 1,598 yards receiving and 21 touchdowns.

Grand Valley State defensive lineman Mike McFadden also is on the first team and teammates cornerback Brandon Carr and offensive lineman Brandon Barnes are on the third.

Grand Valley State (14-0) plays Northwest Missouri State (14-0) in the Division II national championship game tomorrow in Florence, Ala.

Chadron State running back Danny Woodhead, who set an NCAA all-divisions record with 2,756 yards rushing this season, and Pittsburg State's Germaine Race, one of three repeat first-teamers, complete the offensive backfield.