Knoch transfer Colt Sprankle earns postseason eligibility after PIAA board overturns WPIAL

By: Chris Harlan
Thursday, July 18, 2024 | 12:19 AM

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The PIAA board overturned a WPIAL decision and granted postseason eligibility to Knoch junior Colt Sprankle, a football-playing transfer from Armstrong.

Sprankle, his parents Ryan and Brandi, and Knoch administrators attended an appeal hearing Wednesday in State College where they testified that the family’s move into the district was a work-related necessity. All transfers after 10th grade are postseason ineligible for one year unless they qualify for a waiver.

A 6-foot, 165-pound quarterback, Sprankle passed for 761 yards and 11 touchdowns in five games last season for Armstrong.

The WPIAL had previously ruled Sprankle eligible for the regular season but denied a request for a postseason waiver. On appeal, the PIAA decided his situation met the requirements for “a transfer following a bona fide change of residence resulting from a change in employer of a parent.”

The family, which owns neighborhood markets in Kittanning, Leechburg and Saxonburg, purchased property in Sarver to create Sprankle Woods, a 40-acre events center. The Sprankles said the family subsequently moved into a renovated farmhouse on the property to oversee the businesses there.

The Sprankles in April were featured on a TV episode of Family Feud.

Chris Harlan is a TribLive reporter covering sports. He joined the Trib in 2009 after seven years as a reporter at the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at charlan@triblive.com.

Tags: Knoch