LYNN — For Tyllor McDonald, who’s just two weeks away from coaching his first game with the Lynn English football program, offseason No. 1 is in the books.
After all of the lifts, sprints, and scrimmages, he was asked: who’s stood out to you?
Among five others, McDonald pointed to Lynn’s Shane Knowlton-Simard, a junior, who just reached new heights in his young career after a camp with Boston College.
“It was a really good experience for me,” said Knowlton-Simard, who checks in at 6-foot-2, 180 pounds. “I competed with a lot of great kids from all over. I was able to make a name for myself and stand out a little bit. I continue to be reached out from time to time. I hope to continue building a strong connection.”
But truthfully, the wide receiver/defensive back hasn’t been doing this for too long. He referred to himself as “a basketball kid.”
“I didn’t grow up playing football,” Knowlton-Simard said. “My freshman year, I just thought I’d try it. I got lucky enough to get a varsity spot, and I’ve enjoyed it ever since.”
Well, he’s a football player now, and aching to run onto Manning Field for the next few Fridays.
“I’m looking forward to a new page in Lynn English football,” Knowlton-Simard said. “I think the last few years haven’t shown how good we really are. I think with the new coaching staff, new players, and new mindset, we could really show that we can compete with anybody. I think that’s what we’re looking forward to the most.”
But to do that, Knowlton-Simard will be among the frontmen, according to his coach.
“I just hope he learns the actual game of football. He’s getting to that point where he’s gotten a little bit of interest from BC, so now, he’s got to hold himself accountable on and off the field,” McDonald said. “A bunch of guys on his team are going to be looking his way the next two years.”
As will opposing quarterbacks. If you ask McDonald, a former gunslinger at the high school, they’ll have to watch out for Knowlton-Simard’s skill and athleticism.
“These guys are athletic. They just make plays in the air, whether it’s thrown at them or whether they have to hustle and get to one side of the field,” McDonald said. “These guys are just on their ball every time.”
When asked about his strengths on the gridiron, Knowlton-Simard pointed to a mental aspect of his game.
“I think, with my game, I can easily adapt and pick up a lot. When something doesn’t go my way, I can just think about it for a moment, then move on to the next play,” he said. “I try to show a lot of maturity on the field to play my game and do what I can to help the team.”
That all starts on Sept. 6, when English visits Lawrence for a 7 p.m. showdown.
“Game one. That’s the game in which you make your mark for how you want your season to go,” Knowlton-Simard said. “I think that’s a big one, so you want to come out guns blazing and show that you mean business.”
English’s following opponents are Swampscott, Chelsea, Greater Lawrence, Revere, Malden, Medford, Somerville, and Lynn Classical.
And if all goes to plan, opposing point totals will remain at a low.
“Football is something I really enjoy playing,” Knowlton-Simard said. “I hope I can play at the next level.”
