While the 2015 Pinkerton Academy football squad didn’t succeed in defending its Division I championship this fall, despite an excellent effort to do so, nobody who watched the Astros play between the beginning of September and early November will argue that longtime coach Brian O’Reilly’s PA crew carried quite a bit of talent and toughness into every game throughout the autumn.
And a half-dozen members of the 2015 Pinkerton grid contingent had their performances and talents recognized recently with Division I South All-Conference honors.
Senior standouts James Tulley, Brett Dattilo, and Kyle Cantalupo were all named to the prestigious All-Conference team, and honorable mention all-conference recognition was earned by senior Mike Curley, junior Ryan Philibotte, and senior Joey Lydick.
All-Conference stalwarts Tulley (a halfback and cornerback) and Dattilo (halfback and defensive back) both played key offensive roles for their team in helping to minimize the huge loss of star running back T.J. Urbanik to a knee injury at the beginning of the season. Tulley was also one of the most hard-nosed and consistent members of the tough PA defense, and money-in-the-bank kicker Cantalupo was nothing less than a vital weapon for the Astros.
Honorable mention picks Lydick (an offensive guard and linebacker), Curley (fullback and linebacker) and the 6-foot-6-inch, 220-pound Philibotte (tight end and defensive end) all made significant contributions to the strong PA squad.
