Knoch welcomes new quarterback with open arms

By: Jerin Steele
Saturday, August 17, 2024 | 11:01 AM

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Colt Sprankle is probably the only current WPIAL quarterback to appear on a nationally televised game show.

Sprankle and his family appeared on two episodes of “Family Feud” in April.

It wasn’t long before those shows that he entered a new school, transferring from Armstrong to Knoch.

There haven’t been any feuds with his new football family.

After starting at quarterback at Armstrong last year as a sophomore, he wasn’t sure where he would fit in with the Knights, considering they already had quarterback Codi Mullen on the roster coming into 2024.

But with Mullen moving into more of a “slash” type role as a receiver first, Sprankle is poised to take over at quarterback this fall.

“When I first came here, I didn’t know what to expect,” Sprankle said. “I figured they had a quarterback and did some research and saw (Mullen) was going to be a senior. I figured it is what it is, and I’d just come in and work hard. The chemistry has been good so far. I’m thankful for (Mullen) and all the seniors being so welcoming with open arms, giving me the message that I’m their guy and let’s get to work.”

Mullen had success as a dual threat the Knights starting quarterback the last two years. He broke the school single-season record for passing yards his sophomore year and threw for 1,250 yards last year. He was also the team’s leading rusher.

Knoch coach Tim Burchett approached Mullen about watching film of Kordell Stewart when he was in his slash role during his early years with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but Mullen didn’t know who Stewart was.

Maybe a slightly more modern comparison would be Antwaan Randle-El when he was with the Steelers. Regardless of the model, Mullen has embraced a primary move to receiver.

“Switching from quarterback to wide receiver is something I’d like to do,” Mullen said. “I think it’s fun playing wide receiver, and with Colt coming in, someone who can get our best players the ball, I think it’ll work great.”

With Sprankle and Mullen on the field at the same time, that gives Knoch two players adept at playing quarterback, which could allow for some wrinkles in the offense.

“Hopefully, we can have a couple of packages where we’re both in the backfield and maybe I throw a pass to him,” Mullen said. “Something to mess with the defense a little bit.”

Sprankle already has found a connection with Mullen in the short time they have worked together. He senses it will be a combination that will provide explosive plays.

“It’s nice having him as a receiver now or possibly running back depending on the package,” Sprankle said. “I know that he knows what it’s like to be a quarterback. He knows on a fade route, depending on the coverage, where the ball is going to end up. I can just tell our practices so far that he has a very good awareness of where he needs to be and where I’m trying to get the ball. That’s nice to have.”

Knoch qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2014 last season but will move up from Class 3A to 4A.

Mullen acknowledged the move up in classification, but with many key returners, he senses the Knights will meet the moment.

“It’s a big jump going from 3A to 4A, but I think if we stick with it and come together as a team we can compete in 4A,” Mullen said. “Playoffs is always the goal. We have some (nonconference) games ahead of us that we’re looking forward to against Kiski and North Catholic to see where we are.”

Sprankle has some experience playing in 4A at Armstrong and agreed with Mullen’s assessment.

“I played in pretty much the same conference that were in now (at Armstrong), and I’m pretty confident about it,” Sprankle said. “Looking around at the guys we have, I know we can compete. There’s nothing stopping us but ourselves.”

Jerin Steele is a freelance writer

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