LAKE MARY, Fla. — High school lacrosse has been growing in popularity in Florida since it became an official sport in 2008. Some talented players from Central Florida, like Lake Brantley’s Jared Bernhardt have gone to college and have success.

The next great player could come from Lake Mary high school.

Mid-fielder Caden Harshbarger is ranked as the 10th junior in the nation, according to the National Lacrosse Federation.

“I love the pace," Harshbarger said of the sport. "I couldn’t play tackle football — my mom wouldn’t let me — so I started lacrosse. It’s all contact and fast-paced, I love it. Lacrosse was the substitute to tackle football, Pop Warner, when I was younger.”

Harshbarger says he has already decided he wants to play at the University of North Carolina after he graduates. He said he didn’t want to stretch the recruiting process out after making a visit there.

“It was my favorite place — it felt like home," he said. "All the coaches, players, I was just staying with them that one night it really felt like home."

Some ask why he would commit to college as a high school junior, but Harshbarger said it's not an uncommon practice.

“That is how commits work in lacrosse because thee is limited number of spot on every roster so they are trying to get to you as fast as possible so they know and prepare,” he said.

Harshbarger said his mom eventually let him play football in eight grade, and last year led Lake Mary in catches and receiving yards. He says playing football has helped him on the lacrosse field.

“If you develop a sense of the game, that translates to every sport, so developing that sense and recognition where the ball is,” he said.

As a mid-fielder, he plays all over the field, but his favorite part of the game putting the ball into the net.

“Beating your man, that is the best to me,” said Harshbarger.

And he says getting mental reps in during practice also helps with each sport.

“They are really important — every sport is mental,” he said. “You can’t let people get into your head and if that happens, you aren’t going to play good. You just got to got to be calm in the game and that translates to the field.”

On May 6, Lake Mary won their first lacrosse state championship in school history by defeating St Thomas Aquinas 13-5. Harshbarger had three goals in that game to cap off a perfect 24-0 season.