October Male Athlete of the Month: Nicholas Bruzzi

Sr. OL/DL Nick Bruzzi is the Valley Echo Male Athlete of the Month. Bruzzi has helped the team achieve a 3-2 record this month, with wins over Demarest (twice) and River Dell; he claims that the River Dell win is his favorite moment of the season.

“My favorite moment of the season was probably when we beat River Dell for the first time since 2019 and got the [Rumble for the Rail] trophy back,” Bruzzi said. 

In that game, Bruzzi recorded six total tackles, a blocked PAT, and a fumble recovery in the second half that played a big role in the Panthers’ win. 

“[Bruzzi] has been a great student-athlete for us,” Coach Len Cusumano said. “He’s done everything he’s been asked to do for the past couple of years; since day one, he’s had a focused mindset and has been determined to be successful.”

On the season, Bruzzi has been his team’s main reinforcement on the defensive line with 41 total tackles (35 assisted and 6 solos), which include three for losses, half a sack, and the fumble recovery and blocked PAT mentioned earlier. 

Valley forces another crucial fumble, and will take it with 1:46 left in the game at their own 42. pic.twitter.com/nu3ctEXYD6

— Valley Echo Sports (@pvsportscenter) October 22, 2022

Bruzzi also plays a key part on the Panthers’ offensive line, serving as its Center.

“[Bruzzi] has been a leader on the offensive line for the past two years,” Cusumano said. “Since he is always the first guy with the ball on every single play, he’s been responsible for a lot of our blocking schemes, and making sure we’re fundamentally sound.”

Bruzzi started playing football in kindergarten at the age of six for the River Vale Raiders. His dad was his coach and is who Bruzzi recognizes most for getting him to where he is today.

“My dad has been a big role model in my football career,” Bruzzi said. “He would always push me when I played [youth football] and told me to never be a quitter.”