From a fan's perspective, there is nothing like watching a high school team that can score points in bunches, and in a variety of ways.

But while the fans are watching a talented quarterback like Mount Carmel's Marcus Wasilewski completing a pass to Matt Moroz, fullback Julius Demetrius breaking tackles on the way to a big gain, or tailback Justin Pellowski outrunning the defenders, guys like Zach Lutz quietly go about their business.

Public address announcers don't often mention their name and they are only singled out when they commit a penalty.

Lutz conceded that blocking in an offense as intricate and varied as Mount Carmel's can be difficult and that he would prefer to run-block.

"Mentally it is a little bit taxing, but you eventually get into a rhythm and once you figure everything out, it's all good," the 6-foot-1, 225-pound senior tackle said. "It helps you a lot offensively because it keeps the defense on their heels and gives you the edge."

As for run-blocking, he said, "You can really get after somebody. Pass blocking you have to be more passive and make sure the defense stays away from Marcus, run-blocking, you get to go out and hit them as hard as you can."

But Lutz said the linemen take pride in what Wasilewski has done (1,789 yards passing with 25 touchdowns this season).

"We take a tremendous amount of pride in protecting one of the best quarterbacks in the state. If we can block and keep him upright, and as long as we give Marcus his time -- he is a great passer -- we know he is going to make the throws to his wide receivers," Lutz said.

Coming up in organized football, starting as a member of the Jets A' team in the midget program in seventh grade and into high school, Lutz was an offensive and defensive player, at a number of positions.

For the last two years, Lutz, son of Stephen and Kathy Lutz, Mount Carmel, has concentrated on playing offense, specifically the strong-side tackle position. He has loved every minute of it.

"I like offense better than defense and playing one way is also very helpful," Lutz said. "It keeps us all fresh. We are all conditioned and we are not wearing down in the fourth quarter."

Also helpful to Lutz has been classmate and all-state candidate Chris Steck, the Red Tornadoes' outstanding 6-2, 255 center.

"He has helped me a lot. He is really intelligent. He is the leader of our offensive line. He does all the calls, he helps whenever somebody is confused by a play, he makes sure they know what the play is," Lutz said.

Mount Carmel coach Mike Brennan said that Lutz and Steck have been the team's most consistent linemen. The coach said that, had it not been that some of the best linemen play the same position, Lutz would have been selected first-team instead of second-team on the first Heartland Athletic Conference Division II all-star team. The first-teamers were Steck and Southern Columbia senior Chase Fraley.

"(Lutz) is an all-star caliber kid, a super kid, a great student, a respectful kid and a hard worker," Brennan said.