These phases are used to describe many sports teams. They certainly fit the Peters Township boys' soccer squad which battled its way to its first state championship recently.

Western Pennsylvania has always been a hotbed for football - whether on the professional level or all the way down to the youngest of youths. During the fall, we've been conditioned to think only of the wins and losses of the local gridiron teams. Every other sport takes a backseat to the Friday nights of high school football or the college games on Saturday afternoons.

While not discounting the talent, victories or time that is put into other high school sports, we must give equal time where credit is due. There are other sports teams out there, where our young athletes put in the same time and dedication as the more publicized sports. These talented athletes are quietly victorious yet receive none of the accolades that are afforded those in the more high profile sports.

On the men's side, the Indian booters have made an appearance in four of the past five WPIAL championships. In 1988 they won the Class AA title, and shared the championship a year later. In 1998 they made it to the title game - this time in Class AAA - but lost in the final match.

There are similar other less recognized teams and athletes not only in Peters Township but in many other local school districts. We're fortunate to live in an area where our children are offered a wide variety of athletics where their talents may be honed including the most popular three - football, basketball and baseball - to the lesser-known such as cross country, field hockey or volleyball. Many schools are also now offering up-and-coming sports of hockey, lacrosse and even crew.

If a school district is going to put the time, effort and financial resources behind a sport, it should also put the same recognition of accomplishment into the sport as well. This is especially pertinent when an athlete or team of athletes accomplishes the ultimate goal of capturing a state title. The thrill of victory doesn't get much better than that - with the exception of being honored within the four walls of their school by other classmates, educators and administrators.

Our hats are off to all the local athletes and teams who should be applauded for their talents but are overlooked more often than not.