ALLEN – Four months full of pats on the back and heart-felt congratulations can lure any state champion into a false sense of security. You should see the rings, too.

"Yes, sir," Allen defensive lineman Brandon Turner said. "It's nice."

Anyone still wafting through the clouds hit the ground awfully hard this week in Allen. The 2008 Class 5A Division I state champions opened spring football practice and came to the startling realization they are once again 0-0 – just like everybody else.

"It's all from scratch," defensive end Tracey Smith said. "If we thought we were something, we wouldn't be out here."

Not many state champions face quarterback questions in May. On the surface, it would appear Allen coach Tom Westerberg has a massive quarterback quandary on his hands, one that could derail things long before the season opener against Longview.

Matt Brown led Allen to the playoffs last season and showed savvy decision-making abilities in Allen's spread option offense. As a junior, Brown threw for 1,973 yards and 27 touchdowns and rushed for 1,131 yards. Recruiters swarmed Brown's home, and he eventually committed to Arizona.

But Brown suffered a shoulder injury in the second round of the playoffs against Coppell. Backup Tucker Carter stepped in and led Allen to victories over Odessa Permian, Euless Trinity, Round Rock Stony Point and Fort Bend Hightower to clinch the state crown.

Carter didn't just manage the offense in the state championship game, either. He threw three second-half touchdown passes in a 21-14 victory over Hightower in front of 26,023 fans at Reliant Stadium.

Every time someone asks him about football, Carter said he's asked about the quarterback position. Bottom line: the backup believes Brown should remain the starter.

"I don't think you should lose your spot because of injury," Carter said. "He's a good quarterback, obviously. He's committed to Arizona. He can make all the plays, all the throws. Right now, I'm just trying to get better and not worry about those things."

Part of the issue could be that Carter isn't participating in spring drills until Allen's baseball season is over. Carter is the team's designated hitter, although he said his batting average is "not good."

Brown said he and Carter are more than just casual friends. They've known each other since the fifth grade when Brown moved to Allen from McKinney. Watching Carter compete last season helped him become a better quarterback, Brown said.

"Tucker's like a brother to me," Brown said. "He knew how hard it was for me to sit there and watch."

So with no locker room drama to monitor, Westerberg can focus on other issues, like a young receiving corps and holes in the secondary left by the departures of Jeremy Reeves and Steven Terrell.

"Last year's class was a tight-knit group," Westerberg said. "We really want to see what this year's class is all about, so we'll put them into pressure situations in the spring to see how they respond."

1.Can Euless Trinity regain its place in the national spotlight?

Coach Steve Lineweaver may give into retirement someday, but he shouldn't do it now. Trinity was ranked second nationally and had a 27-game winning streak before losing to Allen in the playoffs. Running backs Damien Hart and Tevin Williams return in their usual I-formation. Who gets more carries? That's a problem for offensive coordinator Chris Jensen.

2.How will Duncanville fare with Jeff Dicus in Year 2?

Last year's 0-3 start couldn't have been a good omen. So much for the hoopla over Dicus' arrival after he led Lake Travis to the Class 4A Division II state title. But a win over DeSoto got things rolling, and Duncanville finished 6-5. Things are looking up with quarterback Divian Ealy and a full stable of running back options. Don't expect any favors in District 7-5A, though.

3.Is this the year Skyline goes farther than ever?

Getting into the postseason isn't a problem for Skyline. Playing deep into December usually is. There can't be many excuses this year with a talented squad led by stout linebackers Corey Nelson and Dominique Patterson. Quarterback Javia Hall (1,379 yards, 18 touchdowns) returns, along with scoring machine Mike Davis (16 touchdowns) and do-it-all receiver Joe Powell.

4.Can Southlake Carroll regain its magic?

What happened in the second round of the playoffs must still seem mind-boggling for Carroll fans. Cedar Hill's Ben Malena romped his way to 235 yards on 41 carries as Carroll was booted out of the playoffs. Offense usually isn't any issue on Southlake Boulevard. Defensive lineman Jackson Richards, a Texas Tech commitment, has some work ahead.

5.Speaking of Malena, who is the area's best running back?

Tough call. Malena finished the season with 2,202 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns. At 5-11 and slightly more than 200 pounds, he averaged 6.8 yards per carry and will be a senior this fall. But so will Flower Mound Marcus' Stephen Hopkins and Arlington Lamar's Ja'Terian Douglas. Both are among the state's top recruits. All three have eye-popping ability.