This is Myles Balchan
By Jennifer Ersalesi
Photo credits: Kurt and Robyn Balchan
Myles Balchan, Rutherford High School Senior Varsity Football Team Quarterback, was named NJIC Football Offensive Player of the Week in late October after achieving 60 passing touchdowns and over 5,682 passing yards surpassing the all time career records at Rutherford High School. Additionally, he was named High School Player of the Week by New York Jets @ Gatorade. Even while in the middle of a competitive and successful season, Myles Balchan took some time to be interviewed by This is Rutherford to tell us more about his love of football and his successes.
TIR: How long have you been playing football?
Myles Balchan: I have been playing tackle football since first grade.
TIR: What do you love about the sport?
MB: What I love most about football is how much of a team game it is. So many things need to go right in order for a play to be successful.
TIR: You have had an amazing football season this year. To what do you attribute your success?
MB: I attribute my success on the field to hard work and support among my peers.
"Myles is a leader on this team that has shown week in and week out what it means to be a Bulldog. Whether it’s to make a throw to win the game or asking him what to do on a play during a walk through. He is always up for anything and never shies away from an opportunity to make a play. That is the type of teammate Myles is," explained teammate John Gioia.
Evan Diaz told TIR, "I've been playing football with Myles for over ten years and I never once doubted that Myles wasn't going to get the job done and he hasn't disappointed."
"Myles has been starting since freshman year and I think that it's evident in how he plays today. Pressure is never something that affects how he plays and often time, I think it makes him play better," teammate Rusty Snyder told TIR.
Troy Waddell, another one of Myles' teammates, explained, "Myles is a great quarterback because he can read the field extremely well, he has a lot of game knowledge, and he has above average arm strength."
TIR: Do you have any particular mentors you would like to mention?
MB: I would like to mention all of my teammates, coaches and family members. All of their support means the world to me.
Teammate Hank Schroeder told TIR, "Myles is a great football player, but also a great leader. He is also a really good friend to all of his teammates. We know we can trust him during the game and just in life. He really loves football and his leadership style makes all of us love it too."
"Watching Myles Balchan grow and develop over the past four years has been an incredible experience. From the moment he stepped into our program, Myles has demonstrated what it means to be the ultimate competitor and, more importantly, the ultimate teammate. His dedication, work ethic, and relentless desire to improve have helped shape him into the exceptional player and leader he is today. His command of our offense, football intelligence, and ability to lead those around him give us an opportunity to win every time he steps onto the field. What makes Myles truly special is that his impact goes far beyond his individual accomplishments. He has earned the respect of his coaches and teammates through his toughness, selflessness, and unwavering commitment to our program. Myles has etched his name in Rutherford football history as one of the greatest players to ever wear the Bulldog uniform, and his legacy will be defined not only by the records he has broken, but by the standard of excellence and leadership he has established for those who follow," explained Sean Ryan, Assistant RHS Varsity Football Coach.
TIR: You recently broke the RHS passing yardage record and the passing touchdown record. How did it feel to achieve this record?
MB: It felt cool to be able to break a record like this. I could not have done it without the support of all of my peers.
RHS Varsity Football Coach Steve Dunn told TIR, "Myles is the ultimate team player. He does whatever it takes on that given day to put our team in position to win. Myles is a great teammate and leader of the football program. His individual statistics are only a small part of his story. Myles has thrown for more yards and touchdowns than any other quarterback in the 100+ year history of the program, but much more than that he is the player all of our boys look to for leadership. His composure and steadiness during the biggest games is the reason we have had a lot of success over his career. A smart and compassionate young man, the best is yet to come for Myles Balchan."
Coach Craig Paskas explained, "I've had Myles in a couple of sports while he was growing up. The kid is very coachable. He wants to learn, he's willing to work and get better, no ego, just a proven winner."
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