Accomplished kicker surveying options

As one of the powerhouse programs in the state of Tennessee, Nashville (Tenn.) Montgomery Bell Academy is sitting in an unfamiliar spot with a pedestrian record of 5-3, eight games into the 2009 season. Some devastating injuries have slowed the 2007 state champions and consequently have put them in a number of tight games. In those instances, Montgomery Bell has been fortunate to have a kicker as talented as senior Andrew Fletcher.

"We had two really big injuries to Luke (Colbert) our quarterback and Tee (Griscom) our linebacker," Fletcher said. "What happens is a lot of times we'll get into the other team's territory and get good field position and stall and I'll kick a field goal so I've had a pretty good year as far as making kicks."

Fletcher has been a steady performer for the Big Red since his sophomore season. This year he has continued that trend of reliability. While only missing two field goals this season - one from 60 yards out - Fletcher has been almost automatic, with a couple of dramatic kicks mixed in..

"Against McCallie was the first time I've had a last second kick," he said of his game-winning kick in a 27-24 victory. "I had a 54-yarder right before that one (2:00 minutes remaining) to tie it that was actually more exciting than the game winner. The actual game winner was from 34 yards."

With all the successes that Fletcher has had over the past three seasons, he has garnered plenty of college interest which has recently narrowed down to three schools showing serious interest at this point, one of which has invited Fletcher on campus for an official visit.

"I have one official visit set up to Louisville over Thanksgiving break," he said. "Besides Louisville, the main teams that have been recruiting me have been Vanderbilt and Marshall.

"I definitely like Louisville just because of how much the coaches talk to me and how into me they are whenever we talk. Louisville has become one of my top choices.

"I haven't really talked much with Marshall directly, it has just been through letters and (MBA head coach) Coach McGugin."

As the hometown program and a school that has a strong tradition of kickers out of Montgomery Bell, Vanderbilt is clearly a school with heavy interest in Fletcher as well.

"Coach Bobby Johnson is going to make a decision," he said. "It depends on how (current kicker) Ryan Fowler does. They may bring on a guy on full scholarship so they'll make that decision and let me know."

While Louisville has yet to offer Fletcher, the level of its interest in him is clear with the official visit invite. If that offer does come, Fletcher would take a serious look at a commitment.

"They just offered a punter and they said that on my official visit they're going to talk to me about the offer and stuff like that," he said. "I would probably be pretty tempted to commit because I'm ready to get all of this behind me."