WPIAL rules Seton LaSalle QB Anthony Smith ineligible after transfer from Southmoreland

By: Chris Harlan
Monday, July 21, 2025 | 5:45 PM

The WPIAL ruled Seton LaSalle transfer Anthony Smith ineligible, sidelining the up-and-coming quarterback for his sophomore season.

Following an eligibility hearing Monday, a WPIAL panel found Smith’s transfer from Southmoreland was motivated at least partially by athletics, WPIAL executive director Scott Seltzer said. As a result, Smith is ineligible to play football for the Rebels this fall.

Seton LaSalle can appeal the WPIAL decision to the PIAA. Athletic director Kenny Klase declined comment on behalf of the school’s administration.

A 6-foot-2, 190-pound rising sophomore with several Division I college offers, Smith emerged last season as one of the WPIAL’s top young quarterbacks when he passed for more than 2,000 yards. Syracuse, Sacramento State and Towson were first to offer him scholarships.

The eligibility ruling comes two weeks before teams begin heat acclimation workouts for the upcoming season.

Smith’s father, Ron, told TribLive in June that the transfer to Seton LaSalle was not for athletic intent, saying it put his son in a “safer” environment.

As a freshman, Smith broke a Southmoreland school record when he passed for 2,110 yards last season. He threw 22 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 11 games while completing 53% of his passes (129 of 244).

Coaches voted him all-conference honorable mention in the Class 3A Interstate.

Girls basketball player Peyton Lynch, a transfer from Allderdice to Avonworth, also was ruled ineligible following a separate hearing Monday. Seltzer said the WPIAL hearing panel found that the junior’s transfer was related to athletics.

Avonworth can appeal the decision to the PIAA.

The WPIAL denied a period of participation waiver request from Winchester Thurston for soccer player Malik White. The waiver can grant an athlete additional eligibility.

Hopewell juniors Keith Young and George Tafkov and Central Catholic junior Sami Tapu were granted regular-season eligibility. Young and Tafkov transferred from Keystone Oaks. Tapu came from Shaler.

However, Seltzer said the three football players were ineligible for the playoffs this fall under PIAA transfer rules. Schools can request a postseason eligibility waiver.

Keystone Oaks listed Tafkov as a 5-foot-9, 180-pound running back/linebacker and Young as a 6-2, 255-pound two-way lineman. Tapu was a 6-2, 227-pound tight end and linebacker at Shaler.

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: Seton La Salle, Southmoreland