Braves dedicate game to former player Calnan

Flathead is dedicating tonight’s crosstown football game against Glacier to former-Braves player Mike Calnan, who is fighting brain cancer. The team will wear a “MC” helmet decal during the game to honor Calnan.

“In my 30 years of coaching, Mike and (twin brother) Mark were probably the two biggest overachievers I’ve ever seen,” former-Flathead coach Bob Applegate said.

Calnan, who had an operation on a brain tumor and is still undergoing treatment, was a star defensive back for the Braves in the early 80s, playing college ball at Carroll, where he was a four-year starter. The Saints recently held a fundraiser for Calnan in Helena that raised $45,000 to help with his mounting medical costs.

The family has set up a site at http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/team-mike/79180 for donations.

“They bleed black and orange,” Applegate said. “I sent Mike a picture of the decal and it put a smile on his face.”