En route to qualifying for the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Division-5 playoffs for the first time since 2005, the St. Joseph football team’s defense allowed 6.6 points in its final five regular-season games.

Two members of that stingy unit — senior linebacker Jeremy Delabio and junior defensive back Joe Pillizzi — were honored as first-team All-Midwest Classic Conference South selections by the league’s coaches recently.

Delabio, a captain, was one of four linebackers named to the first team, while Pillizzi was one of three defensive backs named to the first team.

Delabio was a second-team selection as a junior.

Washington State recruit Eric Oertel of Racine Lutheran was honored as both the Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year.

Dave Burgess of Greendale Martin Luther was named the Coach of the Year.

St. Joseph’s Corey Hylton, a junior tackle, and Charlie Pechous, a junior linebacker, were both second-team selections on defense along with Shoreland Lutheran junior defensive back Zak Krause.

Pechous jumped up to the second team after being named honorable mention last season.

On offense, Shoreland’s Riley Mattice, a junior running back, Andy Thusius, a senior tight end, and Eddie Wetzel, a junior center, were also named to the second team.

St. Joseph’s Ian Neville (sophomore running back), Christian Hansen (junior defensive end), Zack Fisher (junior linebacker) and Pechous (wide receiver) and Shoreland’s John Picone (senior guard), Austin Graf (senior linebacker) and Will Meinke (senior defensive back) all received honorable mention honors.

For the complete All-MCC South squad, see the Scoreboard, page C4.

Compiled by Andrew Horschak