2024 PFN Player Spotlight: Getting to Know Mount Carmel Red Tornadoes Matthew Balichik-OLB

Tagged under: District 4, News, Player Previews

Daniel Reed | June 29, 2024

Matthew Balichik
Mount Carmel Area HS
Class Of: 2025
Position(s): OLB
Jersey Number: 2
Ht: 6’0 – Wt: 190lbs
Other Sports: Basketball
Notable Awards or Recognitions:
First Team Coaches Select All-State Defensive Athlete
First Team News-Item Defensive Athlete
First Team PHAC OLB
Twitter: @MBalichik
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WORDS FROM THE HEAD COACH:

Matt is an outstanding leader & competitor as well as a great student. He works extremely hard & is always trying to perfect his craft. As a OLB he has developed as a skilled pass rusher, last year leading our team in sacks, & being named to the All-State team as a defensive athlete. He also has played some quarterback during his career & is a dual threat.

GETTING TO KNOW MORE ABOUT MATT:

What is the best part of being a student-athlete at MCA High School ?
The best part is the atmosphere and energy around the town during football season. Mount Carmel is unlike any other town when it comes to football.

How long have you been playing football(any level) ?
10 years

What is it like having a twin brother playing on the same team ?
It is awesome having Chase on the same team as me. It is cool being able to play with him knowing how hard we compete against each other.

Of all the road games you have played, which stadium had the best overall atmosphere, along with what made it so good ?
Southern Columbia has a very good atmosphere. Every time we play there, our stands are packed with our fans and their stands are packed with their fans and the crowd is crazy.

If the game is on the line, do you want to be on offense or defense ? Explain:
Defense, because I have faith in my teammates to shut the other team down in crunch time.

As an athlete, what has been your biggest achievement ?
First Team All-State.

What was the high point of the 2023 season ?
Beating Southern Columbia in week-8.

What are you going to miss the most from the class of 2024 ?
I am going to miss the friendship I had with my teammates since I was a kid and the leadership they brought to our team.

What are your goals for the 2024 season ?
State Championship !!

Who is your favorite sports star and why ?
Bryce Harper, because he is the most clutch athlete in his sport.

Do you have a favorite play you remember the most ? Explain:
Against Shamokin last year getting a sack to end the half in a one score game.

Who is the best player(s) you have ever lined up against and what team did they play for ?
Gavin Garcia, Southern Columbia.

What stadium, (HS/College/Pro) would you love to visit for a game ?
Penn State

What is your favorite Pro Sports team(any sport) ? Explain:
Phillies, because I grew up going to Phillies games a lot.

What game, yours, college or pro, was your favorite game you watched and why ?
2014 Coal Bucket game because, it was a game down to the wire, which we won in overtime.

What sports movie could you watch every day if you had to pick one, and why ?
Moneyball, because I love baseball movies and it is the best one.

Name one thing you’d love to do in football that may never happen ?
Throw and touchdown to Chase.

Name a sport you’d love to play but can’t:
Volleyball

What is your most embarrassing sports moment ?
Getting thrown out of my little league championship game for running over the catcher.

When you aren’t playing, practicing, or training for sports, what is your go to activity, and why ?
Hanging out with friends.

Which one, Sheetz, Wawa, or Rutters ? Explain:
Sheetz, because they have better food.

What is your favorite vacation destination ?
Stone Harbor, New Jersey.

Tell us something that you have a fear of ?
Spiders

Favorite Fast Food/Burger place and why ?
Jersey Mikes

Have you ever been to a professional sports game, which ones ?
NBA and MLB games.

NBA, NHL, MLB, NCAAF, NFL, Which league is the best and why ?
NCAAB, because of March Madness.

What is your favorite video game, on mobile and or console ?
Mario Cart

What toppings go on your favorite pizza ?
Bacon

Favorite School Subject ?
Math

Favorite Band/Musician ?
Zach Bryan

Airplane, Boat, or Vehicle(motorcycles included), how would you travel and to where ?
Airplane to Hawaii.

Name one thing in life(NOT SPORTS RELATED) you would like to achieve:
Top 5 in my class rank.

Location you think would be the best place to live(ie: island, mountains, city, etc) ? Explain why:
Mount Carmel, because there is no better place than here.

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