WPIAL rules 2 transfers eligible for football, delays decision on another

By: Chris Harlan
Thursday, August 22, 2019 | 8:00 PM

The WPIAL ruled Woodland Hills transfer E’Shawn Carter eligible Thursday, clearing the junior to play football and basketball this school year for the Wolverines.

The board approved Carter for regular-season play, WPIAL executive director Tim O’Malley said. However, Carter remains ineligible for the postseason under a PIAA rule enacted last summer that affects all transfers after the start of 10th grade.

Carter, who transferred from Steel Valley, attended a hearing Thursday at the WPIAL office in Green Tree. He was a wide receiver and defensive back for the Ironmen last season.

Woodland Hills can appeal the postseason ineligibility but must prove Carter qualifies for a hardship waiver as described in the strict PIAA guidelines.

The WPIAL held separate eligibility hearings for Aliquippa freshmen Nathan Crowder and Isaiah Martinez.

Martinez, who transferred from Hopewell, was ruled fully eligible, O’Malley said. The postseason eligibility rule doesn’t impact Martinez because he transferred as a ninth grader.

The WPIAL delayed a decision on Crowder until additional documentation is submitted to prove residency, O’Malley said. Crowder transferred from Beaver Falls.

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: Aliquippa, Beaver Falls, Hopewell, Steel Valley, Woodland Hills