As of today, Eastern head football coach Bob Spoo has a starting quarterback for the Aug. 30 opener vs. California (Pa.).

But the Panthers’ all-time winningest coach hasn’t ruled a change of mind in the final week of practice before Eastern takes the field to open the 2003 season.

“The position is being highly contested and I haven’t come to a decision on it yet,” Spoo said.

The battle for the lead signal caller has been narrowed to a pair of candidates that Spoo is highly impressed with.

Junior Andy Vincent, a Colorado native has thrown a total of one career pass in his two-year Eastern career, which tied him with sophomore punter Tom Schofield. However, Vincent has maintained a slight edge throughout spring ball and summer practices.

“Andy is a little bit ahead of the race because of his knowledge of the system and what we do offensively,” Spoo said.

In those two years on the sidelines, Vincent was not only able to learn the offensive playbook, but see it run effectively by 2003 Walter Payton Award winner and current Dallas Cowboy quarterback Tony Romo.

“Andy displayed great leadership in the spring but needs to continue to work on his accuracy,” offensive coordinator John Carr said.

The transition to Carr’s offense has been smooth throughout spring and summer practices. Spoo said Carr’s system is very similar to former coach Roy Wittke.

“All these guys had to do is learn a new set of terminology,” Spoo said.

The incumbent looking to roll into town and overtake Vincent for the position is junior college transfer Andrew Harris.

The 6-foot-3 sophomore from St. Petersburg, Fla., spent last season as the starting quarterback at Garden City Community College in Kansas.

Throughout summer practices, Spoo has stated his excitement about Harris’ added element to the position.

“I am impressed with Andrew’s athletic ability and his strong arm,” Spoo said. “If he can pick up the coach Carr’s offense quickly, anything can happen.”

The guy apparently set to wear the hat and hold the clipboard as the third-string quarterback is red-shirt freshman Justin Duhai from Woodstock. Duhai made the team as a recruited walk-on last year.

“Justin is a backup now, but we’ve seen continued improvement in his progress,” Carr said.

Panther fans can expect barring injury to see one Panther under center for all 12 games instead of switching signal callers during the season.

“I’ll probably announce the starter and would like to stay with him,” Spoo said. “I’m not a big proponent of rotating quarterbacks back and forth.”