College Football Update

Stanford’s Alex Fletcher is one of several Friars playing college ball. [Photo courtesy Stanford Sports Information]

BY JASON MOLINET

Stanford senior Alex Fletcher is moving ever closer to his goal of playing in the NFL. Just as impressively, he’s helped the Cardinal rise in the tough Pac 10 to become a bowl contender.

After starting 12 games at right guard in 2007, Fletcher has moved back to his natural position at center. He’s a candidate for the Outland Trophy (best interior lineman), Rimington Trophy (top center) and Lombardi Trophy (top lineman). NFL Draft Scout.com rated him in preseason as the nation’s 10th best center. Fletcher will make his 40th career start for surging 4-3 Stanford on Saturday at UCLA. Look for the Cardinal upset.

Here is a look at how other former St. Anthony’s standouts are doing this college football season:

+ Frank Scappaticci is a senior linebacker at Army. He’s also on the watch list for the Butkus Award, which goes to college football’s best linebacker. He leads Army with 48 tackles, three for a loss, one sack and three interceptions in six games. Scappaticci also returned an interception for a touchdown against Texas A&M.

+ Virginia defensive lineman / linebacker John-Kevin Dolce recorded one tackle in last week’s 35-20 win over East Carolina. But it was a big one, a 7-yard sack. The sophomore now has 2.5 sacks in limited duty this season.

+ Two stars from a year ago, Austen Fletcher and J.B. Andreassi have landed on their feet at I-AA Dartmouth. Fletcher, the younger brother of Alex Fletcher, is starting at center. Andreassi, slowed by a cyst on his back over the summer, is getting playing time. Unfortunately, Dartmouth is 0-4.

+ Meanwhile, 2007 CHSFL offensive player of the year James Brady settled in immediately at I-AA Georgetown. Splitting time at quarterback, Brady threw the game-winning touchdown in a Week 1 win over Howard. He was named Patriot League Rookie of the Week one week later. But sophomore Keerome Lawrence took most of the snaps in last week’s 27-7 loss to Penn, which dropped the Hoyas to 1-4. Brady will likely platoon with Lawrence for the remainder of the season.

+ A foot injury that required surgery in April hampered Scott Vallone, the 2007 CHSFL defensive player of the year, in his quest to play as a true freshman at Rutgers. The big defensive tackle is not listed on the two-deep depth chart and has likely been redshirted.