FPD lacrosse program finding success in second year; construction starting soon on new practice field

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The sport of lacrosse is growing in popularity here in middle Georgia, but as of now, no schools here have a varsity team. 

That’s set to change soon, thanks to start-up programs at both FPD and Stratford.

We spent some time Tuesday at FPD.  They have a middle school program there, and the kids that play tell us of all the sports they play, this is their favorite.

“A friend got me interested in it,” Klein Woods, a 7th grader says.  “And I just love it.”

Klein Woods is part of FPD’s club lacrosse program, made up of mostly 6th through 8th graders.

“I mean, you don’t really find this anywhere else,” Jacob Miller, another 7th grader says.

The kids aren’t the only ones new to the sport.

Even their head coach had no lacrosse experience, but he volunteered when his son signed up to play.

“Most of our team is fairly new,” Mike Simmons, head coach says.  “They’re still working on the basics and fundamentals, but we’ve really progressed a good bit in the last couple of months and we’ve been competitive in the middle school league.”

The game is fast paced, similar to basketball or hockey.  It’s also like football in that there’s plenty of contact.

“I mean, it’s really fun scoring and everything,” Woods says.  “That’s fun, but I like hitting people too.”

“Last game, Klein (Woods) actually hit somebody,” Miller says with a smile.  “It was a good hit, but he got a flag.  He usually doesn’t do that.  It was a good, good hit.  It was just good.”

Right now, the team uses the school’s football field for practice, but construction begins soon on a new practice field behind the home bleachers.

Simmons says the new field should be completed by the fall and ready for next spring’s season.

“FPD’s commitment from the athletic department on down has really been key with that,” Simmons says.  “The lacrosse field should begin construction in the next few weeks.”

And in just a few years, these middle schoolers will make history when they suit up as FPD’s first varsity lacrosse team.

This is the team’s second season. They play most of their games against club teams in the Atlanta area.

They’re about halfway through the season right now, and Simmons says they are continuing to improve.

Simmons says they hope to have a GHSA-affiliated junior varsity team next year and a varsity team soon after.