The McNabb Report: Which QBs Will Start For Carroll and Allen?

QB COMPETITIONS HEAT UP As spring practice begins, several North Texas areas have talented quarterbacks vying for playing time. Multiple quarterbacks from Southlake Carroll, Plano and Allen have had great showings at Saturday combines. At Southlake Carroll, David Piland returns as the starter after taking over when Kyle Padron got hurt midway through last season. Dragons coach Hal Wasson says that starting experience gives Piland a slight edge but he's being pushed by Kyle Williamson and Brett Maxie. Piland (95-181-5 for 1,227 yards last season) is coming off a strong showing at a couple combines after only a so-so showing at the U.S. Army Underclassmen combine in San Antonio the first week of January. Williamson has been a rising star in the Dragons' program but has been injury plagued. Maxie is the son of Dallas Cowboys secondary coach Brett Maxie. He's a terrific athlete that's also getting a look at running back. But Maxie has participated in winter combines as a quarterback and looked very good. At Allen, returning starter Matt Brown has looked terrific at spring combines. He's got great speed and a solid arm. Brown looks fully recovered from his broken collarbone. He's got offers from Nebraska and Arizona, but would jump at a chance to play at Texas A&M. The Aggies, though, have already gotten two quarterback commits for 2010. As good as Brown is, Allen will alternate Tucker Carter, who shined through the playoffs and led the Eagles to their Class 5A Division I state title. A strong No. 2 to Brown dating back to middle school, Carter hasn't participated in winter camps while playing baseball. He might be a stronger college baseball prospect than football, but his performance last season - highlighted by great accuracy, decision-making and terrific distributions across the Eagles' spread offense - warrants continued playing time. Allen coach Tom Westerberg has alternated entire units in a two series-to-one ratio so getting both quarterbacks on the field looks likely. At Plano West, Michael Pruneau (27-48-3 for 334 yards) alternated early at quarterback before graduating Travis Wilson took over last season. Pruneau appears to be the heir apparent but 6-6 John Pelosa looked great at the Elite 11 combine. Pelosa transferred from Episcopal School of Dallas and spent last season learning the Wolves' offense on the junior varsity, but the 2010 prospect has measurables to make him a major college prospect. There's some discussion at West to make Pelosa a tight end, but his arm strength and size may force more looks at quarterback. CELINA LB COMMITS TO OSU Celina linebacker Caleb Lavey has committed to Oklahoma State after his recent visit to Stillwater. Lavey also had made trips to TCU, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Baylor, Michigan and Notre Dame before making the decision. "I've been to a lot of colleges trying to narrow down my decision and Oklahoma State was the one place that I felt like I felt comfortable at and that's the place where I belong," Lavey said." I love the coaching staff, but it's the atmosphere and it's the small town kind of place where I feel comfortable." Mike Lavey, Caleb's dad, told the theoldcoach.com that "Caleb will likely enroll in January 2010. We are very excited about the opportunity for him at OSU hope that Caleb, Chase Rome (A DE commit from Missouri) and (Houston Sharpston LBer commit) Stephen Maeweather can form the nucleus of a defense worthy of their offense. "Through the winding maze of schools at the top of his list - Arkansas, when it was his only offer, TCU, Texas Tech, OSU, then a late surge by Baylor, " Mike Lavey said. "The final selection of OSU is a good choice for him. The combination of the very good rapport with the coaching staff, the amazing new football facilities, thanks to T. Boone Pickens, a former Celina player and friend, Jamie Blatnick, on the team, the beautiful campus and the small town atmosphere we believe will provide him the opportunity to excel." Note: David McNabb writes on area recruiting and high school sports every Wednesday on VYPE.com/DFW.