Lineman Colin Bruno wants to sign his final season with Norwin

From: Bill Beckner Jr.

Monday, August 19, 2024 | 2:33 p.m.

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His football collection means a lot to him, as does his collection of professional sports autographs.

But what Norwin’s Colin Bruno perhaps appreciates even more is the opportunity to leave his own personal dedication to an autograph hunter, an admirer of his blocking and tackling techniques.

He can already smell the Sharpie pen.

“Last year, we had some young football players ask us for autographs,” said Bruno, a veteran two-way lineman. “That was pretty cool. It would be cool if someone wanted your autograph.”

Bruno, a senior for the Knights, plans to play his final high school season as Norwin returns to Class 6A, which has only a seven-team conference this year. The 6-foot-2, 300-pound third-year starter expects to make an impact as an offensive right guard and defensive end.

In the past he played center and nose guard.

“I think I can make the all-conference first team,” Bruno said. “But the main goals are on the team. I think we can shock the WPIAL. This year we want to turn things around and make the playoffs. My senior year has a chance to do that. There are two or three really good teams in 6A. We can compete (with the others).”

According to Norwin trainer Mike Brown, Bruno is more of a gentle giant than a snarling wild animal and leads by example.

“He’s a very quiet kid,” Brown said. “But he’s become one of our leaders on offense.”

Bruno began his rise to the varsity team when he was in fifth grade. His father, Tony Bruno, coached him in Norwin youth soccer.

His parents didn’t play sports in Norwin. Tony was in the band. Charlotte, his mother, was a member of the flag guard.

“My dad got me into football,” said Colin Bruno. “He’s the reason I love football. He’s the reason I keep playing. I remember one day when I was about 8, we went out into my backyard. It was pouring rain and muddy. He kept pushing me over. I got up and he pushed me again. He wanted me to get tougher and better at football. I didn’t like it at the time, but now I understand why he did it.”

Bruno, who said he might try track and lacrosse in the spring, said Norwin has the potential to become known as a football school.

“I think we’re known for everything but football,” he said. “We want to change that. Coach Brown (and his staff) are working to change that. They’ve made conditioning fun. We have five stations called County Fair where we go from drill to drill. Coach (Ray) Reitz has us do three-man rolls where we run and jump. It’s not just about running.”

When he’s not participating in County Fair practices, he works his summer job at Auntie Anne’s Pretzels in Kennywood Park, a job he’s had for three years.

“Sometimes I bring the boys pretzels,” he said. “I can eat them for free.”

Bruno enjoys blocking for junior quarterback Tristyn Tavares, who broke several team passing records last year.

“He’s a real guy,” Bruno said of the quarterback. “He makes the decisions and is our commander on offense.”

While he expects to be a big pass rusher on defense, Bruno believes he could make more of an impact in the offensive trenches. He has adapted to the hectic plays associated with the no-huddle offense.

“We try to play in less than nine seconds,” he said. “I feel like I have a better handle on it now.”

As a member of his team’s 1,300-pound weightlifting club, Bruno is sometimes a voice of reason.

“He’s taken it upon himself to take the guys under his wing,” running backs coach Joe Lauricia said. “If there’s a problem on the line, the guys go to him.”

Anthony Giansante, offensive line coach and former Knights lineman, said Bruno’s work ethic sets an example.

“He works very hard,” Giansante said. “He’s a big, strong kid. He lifts 350 pounds and is in very good shape. You don’t see him out of breath.”

Several FCS schools are showing interest in Bruno, including Robert Morris and Saint Francis (Pa.).

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. Reach him at [email protected].

Tags: Norwin