Bruce Tonascia was the quarterback who teamed with Russ Schamun for late game heroics in the 1971 football season. He was also an outstanding baseball player for Napa High. As a sophomore, Tonascia led the JV football team to a league championship. In his junior year, Napa was co-champion of the NBL. Tonascia led the league in passing with over 1,000 yards, made the All-NBL team and was Back of the Year and second team All-Redwood Empire. As a senior, Tonascia was Napa’s Captain, and the team’s Back of the Year. He accounted for over 1,200 yards in total offense and made second team All-NBL and second team All-Redwood Empire. As a baseball player, Tonascia played three years as a pitcher and outfielder on two teams that were league co-champions. He made the All-NBL team in 1972 and 1973 and was Captain of the 1973 team. Tonascia made the All-Tournament team at the Santa Rosa Easter Tournament in 1972 and was MVP in that same tournament in 1973. Tonascia made the All-District 8 team and the North All-America High School team. He was drafted in the second round by the California Angels, but opted for an athletic scholarship to the University of Southern California, where he lettered in baseball for four years, was a member of the 1974 National Collegiate Champions, and made All-League in 1977 in the Southern Division of the Pac 8. After college, Tonascia signed a professional contract with the Atlanta Braves and played two seasons in their minor league organization.
