Quarterback is the ultimate leadership position in sports, but East Aurora senior Joseph Becker took some time to get comfortable seeing himself in that role on the football field.
But Nick Kukuc, his coach, saw it early on.
Searching for a backup to senior starting quarterback Amado Martinez, who led the Tomcats to the playoffs in 2023 for the first time in 41 years, Kukuc was impressed by the youngster Becker.
“Even as a freshman, and no disrespect to the individuals I had at the time, Joseph is somebody who would have probably come up,” Kukuc said. “The biggest reason why? He’s a natural leader.
“We would have all levels practice together, and when he’d take the huddle, there was a difference in eye contact, focus and leadership. It was just that Joseph commanded the huddle differently, even as a 5-foot-6, 110-pound fellow.”
Becker played quarterback in flag football in junior high but wanted to try safety and receiver.
East Aurora assistant coach Damon Patterson, however, saw how well Becker threw the ball and had him join the quarterback candidates in his class.
“Our job first as coaches is to make sure our players are healthy, and at the time, Joseph wasn’t ready for varsity,” Kukuc said. “And that’s all right.”
Becker, still somewhat small at 5-9 and 136 pounds, is ready now, though.
Sidelined by illness for last week’s 52-28 loss at Elgin, Becker has thrown for 1,008 yards and 13 touchdowns and run for 349 yards and four more TDs in six games for the Tomcats (4-3).
They are guaranteed a playoff berth in the new, expanded playoff format with regular-season games remaining Friday at Streamwood (3-4) and at home against crosstown rival West Aurora (4-3) the following week.
Getting here wasn’t always easy. Becker had a crisis of faith in himself after earning the starting job last season. Fortunately, his coach has some natural leadership qualities as well.
“I lost an uncle to a heart attack, and at the time, football was becoming stressful for me,” Becker said. “It was beginning to feel like a job.”
The pressure built up so much that he emailed his coach to tell him he was thinking about quitting the team, but agreed to meet with Kukuc.
“We sat down and we never talked about football,” said an incredulous Becker. “That’s what kind of convinced me. He didn’t care about football in that moment, he only cared about the person.
“He was so supportive.”
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Becker stuck with football and came to embrace his role.
“I know people say I’m a leader, but I never saw myself as that until this year,” Becker said. “I love it, arranging the boys, getting everyone locked in, just the environment and commanding the offense. I love how I can put the game in my hands.”
It shows in his game, according to Kukuc.
“He’s somebody you have to account for,” Kukuc said of Becker. “Everybody talks about that jump from junior to senior year.
“No disrespect to where he was last year, but it’s almost like he jumped from freshman to senior and a seasoned senior, the way he sees the field, understands play-calling and can read defenses.”
Another aspect that has been a positive for the Tomcats is Becker’s ability to improvise.
“One thing that’s impressive about him is when plays break down,” Kukuc said. “He’s a phenomenal 300 hurdler in track, so when his legs get to moving, it’s special.
“One reason we beat Bartlett was his legs. They took away a throw in the flat to Daivon Douglas a couple times and Joseph just ripped it down and took it for touchdowns.”
Speaking of track, Becker missed qualifying for state in that race by .4 of a second. But when it comes to football, he enjoys the brotherhood this East Aurora team has developed.
“We fight together and as freshman were inspired by those guys who broke that playoff streak and had a feeling we’d get back,” Becker said. “We have a lot into this, but that’s where we’re at now.”