A quarterback’s touch. Benet junior Anthony Picciolini upends the strict notion of how that longtime football phrase is defined.
Rather than boasting about his accuracy or velocity, the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Picciolini makes sure to leave a mark on any tackler trying to stop him.
That’s the logical outcome for a quarterback with the size of a linebacker or tight end.
“I like to use my feet for the most part to move the ball,” he said. “I think of myself as a more punishing runner because of my size.”
Picciolini’s physical toughness developed out of his family’s experience with tragedy, hope and healing.
His intensely competitive nature developed from watching the remarkable courage shown by his younger sister, Gigi, a 14-year-old freshman at Providence.
“She is a brain cancer survivor,” he said. “September is (Childhood) Cancer Awareness Month. She is an inspiration for me every time I step on the football field.”
On that field, Picciolini stands in the pocket and surveys the defense. He’s not afraid to dish out the punishment.
During the spring season, he started all six games on the sophomore team. He also dressed for Benet’s last two varsity games.
He learned under Nick Bafia, the previous quarterback who’s now playing at Butler.
“Nick was more of a dual-threat player,” he said. “He was a lot faster than I am. He was great because he mentored me a lot in the practices I had with him.”
Picciolini also is a pitcher and outfielder for Benet’s baseball team. After the spring football season, he focused the next two months on baseball.
Picciolini, who lives in the southwest suburb of Homer Glen, was attracted to Benet for its academic excellence.
His performance at camps run by Yale and Princeton have resulted in him also generating recruiting interest from Columbia, Penn and Dartmouth.
By the middle of June, he began work on his body and getting into optimal shape. He also turned his attention to his mechanics, footwork and fundamentals.
“I read defenses really well and I am able to use my football IQ to pick apart the defense and play smart,” he said. “I just try to relax and trust the plays.”
Now, Picciolini is looking to alter the fortunes of the Redwings (1-2), who have been dealing with a rash of injuries to crucial playmakers.
Benet, who had six starters out last week against Brother Rice, plays Friday at St. Rita in its CCL/ESCC Green debut. Senior running Carson Forney, the team’s leading rusher, injured his lower leg on his second carry against the Crusaders.
The quarterback always has such a profound impact on controlling the outcome. Picciolini has discovered even greater responsibilities in his first varsity season.
“Being a quarterback, I often feel the team, if there are ever any questions, you have to know the answers,” he said. “You have to be a leader on the field.”
Navigating the emotional demands of the position is just as crucial as avoiding a collapsed pocket or getting a conversion on fourth down.
“I try not to think too much about it,” he said. “Going into the game, I get fired up and excited about the game. I try to tune out the noise, relax and focus on what I have to do to help the team.”
As a freshman, he played on the JV level with many players who are now seniors.
“What I love the most about football are the relationships you build from it,” Picciolini said. “All the best friends I’ve met through football are a brotherhood.
“As we battle together, that is something I really like and enjoy.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
