Ligonier Valley’s Silk to play football at Kiski School

By: Paul Schofield
Monday, September 2, 2019 | 12:32 PM

Kyle Silk had planned on finishing his high school career at Ligonier Valley.

But when District 6 officials and then the PIAA board of directors denied his eligibility request to play football after he transferred from United to Ligonier Valley, Silk had two options if he wanted to continue to play: take legal action or transfer out of the PIAA.

Silk, who was the starting quarterback at United the past three seasons and was expected to be a key contributor for Ligonier Valley coach Roger Beitel, announced on Twitter he is finishing his career at Kiski School, a private school in Westmoreland County near Saltsburg.

I’m glad to say that I will be playing my senior year of football at Kiski Prep?

— Kyle Silk (@kylesilk5) September 1, 2019

Beitel and many of Silk’s Ligonier Valley teammates wished him well.

Happy for this young man! His strength through adversity is a lesson for us all. You will do great things. #StateOfMind https://t.co/8gtXLYUoMs

— Roger Beitel (@roger_beitel) September 1, 2019

Silk rushed for more than 1,500 yards in helping United reach the District 6 Class A championship game last season.

Beitel said he was disappointed Silk’s PIAA hearing lasted only 10 minutes and he was unable to testify as to why he was transferring.

Silk expressed on Twitter his gratitude for the opportunity Beitel, the players and school gave him during the transfer process.

Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.

Tags: Kiski School, Ligonier Valley, United