Tucci brings versatility, leadership to gridiron

East Brunswick High School football coach Marcus Borden thought a moment before he made his pronouncement.

JEFF GRANIT staff East Brunswick High School quarterback Mauro Tucci works out in the school's weight room last week while teammate Joe Quaglieri serves as a spotter. The Bears will clash with big schools including Piscataway and Sayreville this year in the GMC Red Division. "I'd compare him to Tim Tebow," Borden said. "That's who Mauro Tucci reminds me of."

That, sports fans, is a profound statement. Tebow, for those unfamiliar, is quarterback for defending NCAA champs the Florida Gators, an individual whose leadership, physicality and will to win has been well documented. To compareMauro Tucci to the Heisman trophy winner speaks volumes of this East Brunswick senior quarterback's makeup and, looking ahead, future in sports. Or whatever else he chooses to pursue.

To be sure, Borden's comparison is not to be taken lightly. As coach of the Bears since 1982, he has watched more than just a few talented signal callers play for the Green and White. Some of the most noteworthy include Bryan Fortay, Ryan Cosentino, Steve Hughes and Matt Mariano.

And it's not a coincidence that Borden likens Tucci to Mariano, the only quarterback to lead East Brunswick to a Central Jersey Group IV championship. Mariano was known for his on-field presence and supreme confidence, the same qualities he attributes to Tucci.

"Mauro is a special person," Borden said. "He's really a leader and somebody the rest of the team will look at to take charge. Without a doubt, if we are to win this fall, Mauro is going to play a huge role in that happening."

Tucci was born to play sports. You sense that when you speak with the 5-foot-9-inch, 190-pounder, who is well spoken and doesn't hesitate to answer questions. No matter what the contest, Tucci is involved. Go back to a "sports short" published in Greater Media Newspapers nine years ago, during which the youngster was a member of a successful 10- year-old township baseball team. Throughout his youth, Tucci also participated in youth basketball and was a member of the St. Bartholomew's Buffaloes. No matter what the sport, Tucci played — and played well.

Then he arrived in high school, and it was decision time.

"I couldn't play every sport, so I decided to focus on football and basketball," he said. "I played basketball to keep in shape for football. That's my passion and where I see myself playing beyond high school."

So do a lot of other folks, including the most important ones, those who represent colleges and offer scholarships. Among the schools that have been communicating with Tucci are Syracuse, Temple, Maine and Delaware.

"I went to camps at those schools and came away with them being interested in me," said Tucci, whose size doesn't necessarily fit the mold of a college player, particularly one who handles the ball. "I got a chance to show them what I could do, and apparently I got their attention."

Tucci has been told, and agrees, that his future in football will be as a running back. That becomes obvious when you watch him calling signals for East Brunswick. As the first player to handle the ball in the Bears' option offense, Tucci either pitches or hands off the ball to a back, or decides to keep the ball and turn up field. A sizable highlight reel has already been put together that documents his success in churning out yards when he decides to run on his own.

Tucci ended up last season as the leading carrier for East Brunswick by a wide margin, eclipsing the 1,000 mark with 1,070 yards. His average was an impressive six yards per carry, with his longest on the year being 59 yards. And because of his penchant for running, he created his own opportunities to throw the ball, with excellent success. His completion rate was 65 percent, or 40 for 61 and four touchdowns.

Tucci was such a valuable player, Borden inserted him in the defensive backfield, where he roamed the field meeting the opposing runner with crunching tackles.

"He's such a versatile player and talented at what he does," said Borden, "we try to find all kinds of ways to keep him in the game, whether it's offense, defense, kickoffs, returns, you name it.

"His intelligence is another asset you can't overlook," Borden continued. "You see that when he has to make decisions when he's over center getting ready to take the ball. He knows how to check off and make the right option that will get us yards. He's just naturally gifted that way." When you speak of intelligence, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. His father, Mauro, is a well-regarded physician in the East Brunswick community.

When talk turns to the upcoming season, Tucci's voice becomes noticeably excited.

"We have a lot of experience coming back at key positions," he said. "We know that if we put it all together, we can beat anybody."

As an example, Tucci pointed to last year when the Bears, with a 2-4 record, could have mailed it in as they paid a visit to a highly touted New Brunswick team. However, East Brunswick (4-6) fought back for a 26-21 victory over the Zebras, keeping their hopes alive for a playoff berth.

"It's the highlight of my career so far," said Tucci, "and it proved to ourselves that if we stick together and play as a team, we could get it done. That's the attitude we'll take as we prepare for this season."

And Tucci, as well as the rest of the Bears, know it will be a formidable test. East Brunswick is stashed in the GMC Red Division and, as such, clash with all the big schools in the conference, including Piscataway and Sayreville. In addition, with the playing partnership between the GMC and Shore Conferences, the Bears will meet Brick Memorial, Freehold Township and Jackson Memorial.

"I'm looking forward to the season," Tucci said. "As a team, we're meeting every day to condition ourselves and practice plays so when the preseason begins, we can get down to business."

The expectation for Tucci is that all the hard work will result in a winning season, something East Brunswick hasn't managed since that memorable 2004 campaign when the Bears shocked the football community and captured their CJ Group IV title. That title is a prime example that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.

Sort of the mind-set of Mauro Tucci.