LYNN — With camp beginning Friday and the regular season just weeks away, first-year Lynn English football coach Tyllor McDonald was asked a particular question about his program.
When people hear the words “Lynn English football,” what do you want them to think?
Like bodies going after a fumble, he jumped right on top of the question.
“We want to play exciting football. Play athletic, score a lot of points, and have a lot of excitement on defense,” said McDonald, a 2011 English graduate who racked up more than 5,000 yards and 60 touchdowns in just two years.
McDonald and company kick things off Friday, Sept. 6 in a road matchup against Lawrence at 7 p.m.
“I’m very excited. We’ve been at it with offseason workouts for the last nine months and now it’s just time to get started,” he said. “The kids are excited, and I just can’t wait to get this show on the road.”
Show on the road, indeed. McDonald hopes to “have grass flying around” Manning Field this fall.
“That’s what I want our identity to be,” he said. “I want to be able to run the ball and stop the run.”
On the ride with him are several returning players, including Jordan “JoJo” Hernandez, who played in every game last season. The middle linebacker led the Bulldogs in tackles and helped call the defense.
Zimari Omosefe, Jordan Em, and Limbert Thomas III return as well, along with Xavier Beauchamp, who transferred over from Swampscott High.
As for the all-important quarterback spot, McDonald has that one covered.
“It’s going to be Jaiden Rosario. He’s the guy,” McDonald said.
Rosario was one of English’s better players during a 7-on-7 tournament at Bishop Fenwick this summer.
Then, there’s Shane Knowlton-Simard, a receiver and defensive back who stood out to McDonald before he landed the head coaching job.
“He’s a kid I saw last year when I was at Classical (assistant) and we were playing against English on Thanksgiving. He, kind of, stood out to me because of his size,” McDonald said. “I just spent a lot of time with him during the offseason. Then, we went to a BC (Boston College) camp and he just tore it up. They loved him and he’s got a little bit of interest right now. He’s going to be a very good player for us.”
McDonald said he’s excited for Week 1 against Lawrence with its “scrappy, tough, athletic kids.” And, of course, Classical on Thanksgiving Day.
“He’s (Classical head coach Brian Vaughan) my older cousin and like a father figure to me,” McDonald said. “Him and I will be going at it in a couple of months. We know how to shift the competitiveness off when we’re around each other, but it’s always going to be him trying to beat me and me trying to beat him. That’s how we are.”
But before the family fun on Turkey Day, eight other games remain.
“As a competitor, I want to win. I’d go undefeated if I could, but that’s not always how it works,” McDonald said. “Right now, I just want to compete at the highest level we can, finish games, and win games. That’s really it.”
Complete schedule
9/6 – @ Lawrence – 7 p.m.
9/13 – vs. Swampscott – 7 p.m.
9/20 – @ Chelsea – 6 p.m.
9/27 – vs. Greater Lawrence – 7 p.m.
10/3 – @ Revere – 6 p.m.
10/11 – vs. Malden – 5 p.m.
10/17 – @ Medford – 6 p.m.
10/25 – vs. Somerville – 7 p.m.
11/28 – vs. Lynn Classical – 10 a.m.
