If Higley High football player Kelvin Fisher had an official  fan club, I'd be a member.

I know Higley football coach Jim Beall is a fan.  Four years running. And not solely because of the productive running Fisher has done for the Knights.

"The thing I think about first with Kelvin is his character," Beall said. "He's a great athlete, too. But he is a strong person. Very down to earth. Great leader. Gets along with everyone. He could have gone to another school like a Hamilton his freshman year. But he wanted to be with his friends. We're glad we've had him the last four years."

Fisher, a senior at Higley, is an outstanding player. He plays running back and defensive back. He's a good receiver out of the backfield. He's a pretty good return specialist, too. A role he played earlier in his career for the Knights.

Because of  those attributes and good academics, Fisher is beginning to take visits this weekend to colleges that want his football services next fall. He'll trip to the University of Washington this weekend. He may take trips to Oregon, Arkansas and ASU later.

In this day and age of athletes (most often at their parents urging) running as fast as they can to another school if their current situation or their  team's lack of success doesn't suit them, Fisher sure seemed like a candidate to leave Higley after last season for greener pastures.

Afterall the 1-9 season Higley produced in 2009 was dreadful. As some people might think it put the kabosh on Fisher playing college football. No college is going to offer a scholarship to a kid that plays for a 1-9 team. Right, Kelvin?

"If you're good enough, colleges will find you," Fisher said. "It doesn't matter what school you're at. Before my freshman year my family and I considered going outside of our district. I had a goal of trying to get college scholarship. I've played with a lot of my current teammates and others in this area in Pop Warner. You develop friendships. You don't want to dump those."

Higley's 2009 football season was miserable. It wasn't fun for Fisher, his teammates or his coaches. Did he want to leave? Seriously want to latch on with another program that needed a top-flight running back/defensive back? Or one where a winning season/ playoff berth were a lock?

"There was a thought," Fisher said. "It was never truly discussed though. Playing here as a sophomore was a fun year. We made the playoffs. Last year the senior leadership wasn't there. We fell apart as the year went along. The team this year has leadership. We decided what happened last year wouldn't happen this year."

Higley is 3-3 this season. They've won three straight games and are in position to contend for a 4A-II playoff spot and the 4A East Sky Region title. There's a total attitude change. There is leadership. There is character. Kelvin Fisher plays that role and is part of the Higley football rebound in 2010. That comes before his 843 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns.

Fisher's got character. And it counts.