Lineman Colin Bruno wants to put signature on final season at Norwin

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Monday, August 19, 2024 | 2:33 PM

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

But what Norwin’s Colin Bruno might value more is the opportunity to give an autograph seeker, an admirer of his blocking and tackling, his own personal inscription.

He can smell the Sharpie pen already.

“We had some youth football kids asking us for autographs last year,” said Bruno, a senior two-way lineman. “That was pretty cool. It would be cool to have someone want your autograph.”

Bruno, a Knights senior, plans to put his signature on his final high school season as Norwin returns to Class 6A, which has only one seven-team conference this year. The 6-foot-2, 310-pound third-year starter is expecting to make an impact at right guard and defensive end.

He played center and nose guard in the past.

“I think I can be all-conference, first team,” Bruno said. “But the main goals are with the team. I think we can shock the WPIAL. This is the year we want to flip it around and make the playoffs. My senior class has a chance to be the one to do it. There are two or three really good teams in 6A. We can compete (with the rest of them).”

More gentle giant than snarling savage, Bruno leads by example, according to Norwin coach Mike Brown.

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

Bruno began his climb to the varsity when he was a fifth grader. His father, Tony Bruno, coached him in Norwin youth football.

His parents did not play sports at Norwin. Tony was in the band. Charlotte, his mom, was a member of the color guard.

“My dad got me into football,” Colin Bruno said. “He is the reason I love football. He’s the reason I kept playing. I remember one day when I was around 8, we went into my backyard. It was pouring down rain and muddy. He kept pushing me down. I’d get up and he’d push me again. He wanted me to be tougher and be good at football. I didn’t like it then, but I see now why he did it.”

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

“I think we’re known for everything but football,” he said. “We’re looking to change that. Coach Brown (and his staff) are working to turn it around. They have 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 all running.”

When he isn’t taking part in County Fair drills, he is working his summer job at Auntie Anne’s Pretzels at Kennywood Park, a gig he’s had for three years.

“I bring the guys pretzels sometimes,” he said. “I get to eat them for free.”

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

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

While he expects to be a big-bodied pass rusher on defense, Bruno thinks he might be more impactful in the offensive trenches. He has adapted to the frenzied play resets associated with the no-huddle offense.

“We try to get plays in under 9 seconds,” he said. “I feel like I have more of a hang of it now.”

A member of the team’s 1,300 (pound) club for weightlifting, Bruno is a voice of reason at times.

“He took it upon himself to take guys under his wing,” running backs coach Joe Lauricia said. “When there is an issue with the line, the guys go to him.”

Offensive line coach Anthony Giansante, a former Knights lineman, said Bruno sets an example through his work ethic.

“Very hard worker,” Giansante said. “He’s a big, strong kid. He benches 350 (pounds), and he’s in very good shape. You don’t see him sucking wind.”

Some FCS-level 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. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Norwin