Where would the best quarterback or running back be without his blockers? Where would a first string be without a practice squad?

For every touchdown scored, there's a guy who never sees his name in the paper or a player whose praises may never be sung outside the film room or beyond the practice field.

They're unsung heroes, and they deserve much of the credit when their teams advance to the postseason.

Bledsoe County's Derrick Smith is 5-foot-8 and 140 pounds. His coach and his teammates praise his aggressive, team-first play.

"He goes at (defenders) hard," Warriors running back Chase Brown said. "He doesn't have to move people, just hold them up. But he can blow people up."

Said Bledsoe coach Jason Reel: "He has said, 'Don't give me the ball. Let's win this game.' He wants to win no matter who gets the touches or touchdowns. That's the type player it takes -- one who'll make the holes or blow up the holes, a guy who'll do whatever it takes. He's one of those."

Bledsoe quarterback Tyler Harvey often depends on Smith for protection on passing plays. Asked how Smith does what he does despite his size, Harvey replied, "He plays with passion, heart and pride."

Smith said right off that he had taken his share of lumps.

"I get knocked down once every game at least," he said. "I figure if you hit a guy as hard as you can every time, he's going to get tired of getting hit. And when I get knocked down, I try to come harder the next time."

Smith is just one example of the unsung heroes. Here are others:

* Billy Sivley, Baylor offensive lineman: The sophomore has yet to miss a practice or a summer workout. He's starting tonight as a reward for his hard work. "He's the kind of kid that makes you realize what it's all about," Red Raiders coach Phil Massey said. "I wish all kids took their roles as sincerely as he does."

* Hayden Meadows, Boyd-Buchanan fullback/linebacker: "He's a biscuit away from being a tackle, but he has paved the way for our running backs, and he is probably the most improved player I have had from where he was last year to where he is now," Buccaneers coach Grant Reynolds said. "He plays both ways and is also on the punt, PAT and kickoff-return teams. He does whatever we ask, and he has a great attitude about it."

* Zac Calhoun, Central offensive lineman: The sophomore was pushed into the starting lineup because of defections and injuries and has developed quickly. "He had to grow up fast and he has played well," Pounders coach David Barger said. "He's a smart kid with great character. I don't think he's missed a practice, and he always gives it all he's got."

* Chip Norwood, Cleveland linebacker: "We had to move him from the defensive line to middle linebacker in Week 2, and he never complained," Blue Raiders coach E.K. Slaughter said. "He has been a great leader, and he leads the team in tackles despite playing hurt the past three weeks. He's a great kid that not too many folks know about."

* Floyd Coffey, Dalton defensive end: "Floyd has turned into one of the most competitive players on the Dalton roster," Catamounts assistant Stacy Parker said. "He's third on the tackles list and has become a true leader. He is a junior, and at 6-3, 225 he brings a lot to the table."

* Shaquille Holland, East Ridge receiver: "He's 5-3 and the shortest player on our team, but he makes up for his lack of size with pure desire and heart," Pioneers coach Mike Martin said. "He's a better person than he is a player, and that's no knock on his talent. He's a good student with great character, which makes for the type of players I like to coach."

* Dillon Graham, Grundy County offensive lineman: "He's a great leader who never sees the spotlight, but the spotlight isn't what he's looking for," Yellow Jackets coach Nick Bryant said. "He's out to win football games, and he doesn't care about the attention."

* Nathaniel Cook, Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe linebacker: "He has come from nowhere to lead our team in tackles," Warriors coach Todd Windham said. "He barely touched the field last year. I think he had eight total snaps. ... Last spring and summer he bought into the program and dedicated himself. His development has allowed us to have a winning season and possibly a playoff appearance. He has come further in one season than any player I have had the opportunity to coach."

* Eric Patton, Lookout Valley offensive tackle/defensive end: "This summer we were short on linemen and he volunteered to move," Yellow Jackets coach Tony Webb said. "Not everybody would be willing to do that, and he has actually started five games for us."

* Joe Simmons, Marion County defensive tackle: "He's a first-year player," Warriors coach Troy Boeck said. "He's 6-4 and about 240 so he really looks the part, but he worked to learn the defensive tackle position and has been a stalwart there. His stats don't tell the job he's done, because in our defense we rely on linebackers to make most of the tackles."

* Justin Simerly, McCallie receiver: "He is a first-year starter and a quiet, humble and very competitive young man," Blue Tornado coach Rick Whitt said. "Justin comes to work every day and sets a great example. He is all about the right things -- just a joy to be around." Simerly is a Morehead Scholarship nominee and a National Merit Semifinalist with a 4.24 grade point average.

* Brady Guy, McMinn Central defensive back: "He's unselfish, a two-year starter but somebody no one knows about. He leads the team in pass break-ups (seven), but he is all about winning rather than personal glory," Chargers coach Josh Goodin said.

* Devonte Henry, McMinn County running back: "He is a team player," Cherokees coach Bo Cagle said. "He'll play scout team any time, and he is one of the best blockers on the team although he's just 5-6. He's on all of our special teams. He never misses practices and you'll never hear him complain."

* Naaman Stillwell, Polk County defensive back: "Naaman was a part-time player on defense until we lost Logan Swafford in Week 8," Wildcats coach Derrick Davis said. "He was a first-year player and we didn't know what to expect, but he has played very well and helped us on both sides of the ball."

* Tyler Reeves, Red Bank offensive lineman: "He absoluely works his rear end off in the classroom and in the weight room," Lions coach Tim Daniels said of the 5-11, 211-pounder. "He has been in a battle all year to start. He's a very quiet kid but a fun kid to be around that has always been true blue to the program."

* Kyle Harmon, Sequatchie County linebacker/offensive lineman: "We have so many we could name, and I really struggled with this," Indians coach Chad Barger said. "But Kyle does a good job on offense and he makes all of the calls on defense. He's our leading tackler and he is just a good all-round kid."

* B.J. Gautier, Signal Mountain receiver: "He's a senior who has one catch but he's a great leader," Eagles coach Bill Price said. "He plays a lot of scout team for us, and he never misses a practice and he never complains."

* Sean Neal, Tyner defensive back: "He started out playing quarterback, and there were no hard feelings when we made a change. A lot of people wouldn't handle that well. He did," Rams coach Wayne Turner said. "He comes to practice every day and busts his butt. He's there for his teammates and exemplifies what a team player is, but he has also emerged as a lockdown-type cornerback. People aren't catching a lot to his side of the field."