This last Saturday was Senior Day for the Macalester Scots football team. It was a big day that saw the team square off against Carroll University in what was one of the biggest contests in school history. Macalester won that game, thanks in part to the hard work of two of their most beloved seniors, Reid Callahan and Ryan Flanagan.

These two played exceptional games for their team, in what must have been an emotional contest. This was Senior Day after all, meaning that the two were playing their last home game for the Scots. They came to Macalester at a time when the football program was reaching a level of respectability, and have now watched it rise to the point of battling for the conference title. It has been a long and exciting ride for the two and each has grown to become incredibly talented players and even more talented men.

While both are seniors, this is actually Callahan’s fifth year at the school. He took a year off from the game so that he could return and play for the team in its inaugural season in the Midwest Conference (MWC). A decision he was very happy he made. “This has been a goal of mine to play in a conference, and this has been such a great year. It has been exciting to say the least.”

Each has played a significant role for the team this season. Callahan is third on the team in tackles and has added 2.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and a pass break-up. His 219 tackles are one of the highest totals in school history, and his leadership has been one of the primary keys to a defense that is quickly establishing itself as the top in the conference.

“Reid has been an incredible leader and an incredible talent for our team,” Head Coach Tony Jennison explains of Callahan. “He has shown such commitment to this program, and has made huge plays for us his entire career. This year he has been even more important to us, and has helped us to be a tough defense to play against.”

Callahan has teamed with Ryan Fleming to make one of the most dynamic linebacker duos in the conference. He is a ferocious playmaker who always seems to be around the ball. Plus, as his coach explains, he has an additional advantage. “Reid has such long arms. No one is throwing over him. He can reach balls that no one else can get to, and he makes trying to stop him very difficult.”

At 6-1, 228 he is one of the more difficult players to “defend” against. Offenses have to account for him or they are going to find the senior tracking down the quarterback, stuffing the run, or making great coverage plays.

While Callahan is the right size for a linebacker, Flanagan is playing defensive line in a body that is built much more to be a linebacker than a lineman. At 5-11, 237 he is a bit small, and usually gives at least 50 pounds to the offensive lineman he is matched up against, but the senior handles it with a veracity that makes him tough to stop. “Ryan has a real high motor, and he gives 100% on every play,” Coach Jennison says of Flanagan. “He is so smart on the line and knows how to get off of blocks and make plays. He is just so tough to defend against because there is no quit in him.”

The senior lineman isn’t going to be putting up big numbers. He has 39 tackles in his career, but it also must be understood that in the position he plays his primary purpose is to hold off the opponent’s lineman so his linebackers and safeties can attack the ball carrier. He is regularly taking on double teams to achieve that goal, a point not lost on his coach. “He is battling through double and triple teams at times. That allows us to have other players swarm to the ball and make plays for our defense.”

While he doesn’t often find himself in on tackles, don’t believe for a second that he is not a playmaker in his own right. Flanagan has four forced fumbles in his career, and seven sacks. None of those sacks was more important than this last weekend against Carroll when he combined on a sack on the first possession of the game against the Pioneers, setting the tone that this defense was here to play and that they were not intimidated in the least. He also had three quarterback hurries, which included a crucial one on fourth and goal that forced the Carroll quarterback to throw an incomplete pass and give the Scots back the ball. His big-play ability last Saturday was a key to the Scots defensive success. “Ryan really stepped up for us, and made a statement about how tough our defense was going to be,” Coach Jennison explained after last week’s stunning 34-17 win.

Callahan also played an integral part on defense, making seven tackles, including three unassisted. Macalester needed their linebackers and safeties to be able to handle running back Lamont Washington on their own at times, and Callahan proved he was up to the task.

While the two have matured each season and have become key cogs in the Scots defense, they have also become great friends. The two travelled together this last summer (along with others) and have built up a lifelong friendship with one another. Their friendship has spurred them to push each other to become better at their craft. “I am amazed at some of the plays Ryan makes. We come to the sidelines and I have to just tell him what a great play he made or be like, Wow, how did he do that?” Callahan also appreciates that his friend is open to instruction as well. “There is no ego about this guy. You can tell him about something and he takes it well. He wants to be better.”

Flanagan has a similar respect and admiration for his friend. “He is a hard working guy who lets his play speak for him. He works hard and is a guy who you can count on to make plays for your team. When we need a big play we turn to him because we know he has that kind of drive in him.”

Neither of these young men are the kind of guys to be in a huddle screaming and yelling at their teammates to get fired up. They are men who lead by example. They are men who play hard and deliver both on and off the field. It is their commitment to being better than they were in the previous season, in the previous game, in the previous day, or in the previous play that makes them so special. They carry that same commitment into the classroom, and just adds to the legacy of the both. They are men who give it all no matter what the occasion is.

This week the Macalester Scots will be playing St. Norbert for the North Division title. It is quite possibly more of a challenge than the Carroll game because the Green Knights are extremely difficult to beat at home. It is going to take the best effort of the season from Macalester to beat them. It is going to take the very best from these two to help in delivering a division title.

Getting the best out of Ryan Flanagan and Reid Callahan is what the Macalester Scots have become accustomed to.  These are two young men who give to their team all they have, and inspire through their hard work and dedication on and off the field. The Green Knights surely better bring their “A” game on Saturday, because with the R&R duo coming to town, this is clearly no time to relax.

By Robert Pannier