Courtesy Westfield State Sports Information

Westfield State's Josh Mathieu receives the Joe Zabilski Award as the New England Division II/III defensive player of the year during the Greater Gridiron Club of Boston's annual college banquet on Jan. 14 in Burlington, Mass. Making the presentation is Gridiron Club member Curt Bletzer. Mathieu led the Owls' highly-ranked defense with a nation-high 22 passes defended (7 interceptions, 15 pass breakups). The senior cornerback was also a d3football.com first-team All-American. Mathieu is the second Westfield player to receive the prestigious Zabilski Award. Linebacker Josue Zamora was the 2001 New England defensive player of the year.