Varsity lacrosse programs sprouting in Middle Georgia

Spring has produced varsity lacrosse for the first time in Middle Georgia at Stratford and Mount de Sales, with both teams working through their first season.

Both schools started a boys junior varsity team last season, with Mount de Sales finishing 0-5-1 and Stratford 3-9-1. FPD added a boys JV team this year as Mount de Sales and Stratford have moved up to varsity.

Mount de Sales head coach Rav Rampersaud said only three or four players on the team had lacrosse experience prior to last year. While the team's record has improved to 2-5, Rampersaud said there have been challenges.

"With any sport new to an area or school, you're going to go through some growing pains, and I guess you could kind of say that's what we're going through right now," Rampersaud said. "It's a process, but the kids that are out there really enjoy it. ... They're advocates of the game, so hopefully those kids can bring on a friend or two who maybe thought about playing."

Students and parents pushed for a program to be started at Mount de Sales and Stratford. But while the community has been supportive of the venture, according to Rampersaud, he said persuading newcomers to try the sport remains a challenge.

"Some kids would shy away from that and would rather do something else in the spring, like weight training or conditioning, especially if they're a football player or if there's another sport they're heavily vested in," Rampersaud said.

Rampersaud said he started a middle school feeder program to build some interest, but for now, finding high school students has been a bigger issue.

Stratford head coach Josh Pico said the interest from the student body, administration and community has been "terrific."

"Lacrosse is the fastest growing game in the country for good reason," Pico said. "Combined with the presence, success, and excitement surrounding the Mercer program, the timing was right (to start a program)."

Pico said about one-third of the team started playing this year, one-third started with the junior varsity last year and one-third boast more than two years of experience.

The Eagles are 1-7 with the lone win against Mays. Pico said the biggest challenges have been scheduling and travel. He said the GHSA is on the cusp of realignment because of the differences in enrollment between schools that play lacrosse in Georgia.

But one advantage he noted for his team was Mercer's new lacrosse program. The university started a men's program in 2011, and the women's program started competing in 2015. Pico said he took Stratford's players to the Mercer men's 12-11 win over Siena on Feb. 23.

"There are not many programs that have access to high-level (Division I) college lacrosse in their backyard," Pico said.

With the increased interest, both schools started a girls JV program this year. Stratford's team is 3-3-1 while Mount de Sales is 3-2-1.

"The game will continue to grow in Middle Georgia, and that will be good for everyone," Pico said. "Lacrosse is such a great complement to other fall and winter sports. Looking at programs locally and around the country, its growth is phenomenal and shows no signs of stopping."

This story was originally published March 30, 2016 at 6:46 PM with the headline "Varsity lacrosse programs sprouting in Middle Georgia ."