LYNN — Still two months from high school football season, that didn’t stop Lynn English varsity coach Tyllor McDonald, a former standout with the Bulldogs, from staying involved in the city.
McDonald hosted a free plyometric and conditioning workout Thursday at Manning Field. The workout, which lasted from 5-7 p.m., welcomed McDonald’s high school players, as well as youth athletes from East and West Lynn.
“Honestly, it’s been on my mind for a while. I just have the platform to do it now,” said McDonald, a 2011 graduate who recorded more than 5,000 yards passing and 60 touchdowns in two years. “I should’ve done it sooner, but I just thought it was the right time.”
An estimated 60 kids attended the “college” workout, according to McDonald. It consisted of agility and one-on-one drills, as well as high-intensity running.
The ultimate goal was to help create better athletes.
“No one tapped out of the conditioning part, but a few guys at the end of the agility workout couldn’t make it,” McDonald said. “But just to make it through half is a good accomplishment for the young guys.”
When asked about the balance between competition and fun, McDonald said there was a little bit of both.
“It’s hard work in the beginning, and once you get to the agility part, it’s about being willing to compete,” said McDonald, thrilled with the cool 60-degree, cloudy evening.
With it being McDonald’s first hosted workout, he turned to FaceBook for promotion.
“I know a lot of people and a lot of my friends coach at the youth level,” said McDonald, joined Thursday by Lynn English assistant coach Joac Simon and a few youth coaches. “I figured if I put it out there, the word would spread.”
After the workout, McDonald asked participants if they’d be interested in another before the season starts.
“If I can, I will, but if not, definitely next year,” he said. “And my (Lynn English) guys were helping the young guys, showing them how to line up and how to do the drills and stuff.
“If I can give back, they can do it, too.”
