The Bend-Boys Lax

08/21/2026

Start em young!

Ready to get your little one out on the field?

Lil' Lax introduces players ages 5–8 to the fundamentals of lacrosse in a fun, beginner-friendly setting. It’s a great chance to learn the basics, build new skills, and have fun!

📅 Saturdays, September 5–October 3
⏰ Registration closes August 30

Ready to give it a try? Get registered and hit the field this fall!🥍

08/06/2026

A few people that were not able to attend have asked me what my message was Monday for Malachi.
Here it is. I couldn't get through it Monday and I still can't.
Luckily my village was with me and handled it.

Thank you all for coming. It's comforting to see all the lives that Malachi touched and to know this family will not walk this path alone. From my family, and the entire Riverbend Lacrosse family, we offer our deepest condolences to the Hodges family.

My name is Coach Dave and I was part of the Riverbend Lacrosse coaching staff that had the pleasure of coaching Malachi the past 3 years.
We shouldn't have to be here today. We should be watching him play with his siblings, go to prom, and battle Harlan for faceoffs.
Malachi was a shining light to so many and always smiling. He was an amazing kid, funny, smart, athletic and a friend to so many. He never caused any problems on the team, just wanted to play, and would always ask what he could do to get better. It was always "yes coach" "thanks coach" and with that big smile.
His freshman year we brought him up for Varsity playoffs and it was impossible to get him off the field. He just wanted to keep playing. Coach Becton and I would talk about needing more players like that and compare every freshman to that standard. He just loved being out there.

He was a quiet kid at practice except when he was chirping me about being a 49er fan. This past season was especially brutal with the Seahawks destroying the 49ers in the playoffs and then of course winning the Super Bowl. Even in his chirping he was respectful, and he knew how much I hated him wearing all that Seattle gear to practice. Every day he wore that ugly Seahawk beanie. Now I hope Seattle wins every Super Bowl from now on.

I was at a lacrosse tournament this summer and between games I was able to see him take one faceoff, win it, run past everyone and score. I walked by his dad and said that was the fastest I've ever seen him run. I'm going to miss seeing him out on the field. If I knew that was the last time I'd see him I would have hugged him and never let go.

Malachi is the third lacrosse player in our area in the past two and a half years to succumb to their inner demons. That is three too many.
We as parents and coaches always preach about having an open door and a safe place to talk. The world is getting tougher and tougher, earlier and earlier especially for young men. It's ok to not be ok, just know there's a village to help us all through it. If you need help or a shoulder to lean on-we are here, make us prove it. A calming voice from outside someone's immediate circle may be all they need.
I'm sorry I couldn't be that for Malachi. He will forever be missed by so many and never forgotten.
In a world where you can choose to be anything, choose to be kind.
Faceoff- #21-Malachi Hodges
2nd team all District FOGO
Rest in peace

08/01/2026

UPDATE:
Arrangements for Malachi

Viewing:
Sunday, August 2
from 2pm to 5pm (5-7 pm family only).
Location:
A.L. Bennett and Son Funeral Home
200 Butternut Dr.
Fredericksburg, VA 22408

Viewing/Funeral:
Monday,August 3 from 10 am to 11 am, followed by funeral service at 11 am.
Location:
Lifepoint Church - Spotsylvania

Following funeral Repass meal at Dominion raceway
6501 Dominion Raceway Ave
Thornburg va 22580

Yvette will be at Riverbend Sunday from 9:30 to 10:30 if anyone wants to drop off any items.
Jennifer from the football team will be at Riverbend Sunday 1:30 to 3:30 to grab items also.

07/31/2026

Let’s come together to support the Hodges family as we prepare for Malachi’s repass.

I would be glad to meet or pick up from home if needed to grab items. Please feel free to contact me.
Yvette Jones at 540 287-7850

We are also seeking volunteers to help set up and organize the food during the funeral service. If you are available to assist, please let me know as well. Your kindness, care, and support are deeply appreciated as we come together to surround the Hodges family with love during this difficult time.

Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!

07/28/2026

Congratulations to Jason for finalizing his commitment to the next level. He accepted an offer to Lincoln Memorial Univ, a D2 school in TN.
Thank you to all the coaches, teammates, and parents for all the support through the years making this possible.
There will be MANY Riverbend college commitments in the coming years with the talent that is on the roster!

07/28/2026

Arrangements for Malachi.
Bend players please wear their black team polo if able to attend.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Hw83ep721/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Malachi Hodges, 16, of Spotsylvania, VA, departed this life July 20, 2026. A viewing will be held at A.L. Bennett and Son Funeral Home, 200 Butternut Drive, Fredericksburg, VA, 22408, on Sunday, August 2, 2026, from 500 PM to 700 PM. An additional viewing will be held at Lifepoint Church,

07/22/2026

Thanks to all who came out and to True Fredericksburg for letting us crash their training.
I know a lot of players are traveling, as am I, but we will keep doing things to keep Malachi in our hearts and minds.
Please donate to the fundraiser if you can.

07/22/2026

True and the Bend coaches have put together a get together tonight 6pm at the Fred Fieldhouse to hang out, talk, play a little speed lax.
Spread the word to the lax community.
Unfortunately I am away but will look forward to hearing the stories and seeing some pictures.
More to come.
-Coach Dave

07/21/2026

On behalf of Coach Bragg, Coach Smith, Coach Becton, Coach Sully, Coach Dan, and myself-we want to extend our deepest condolences to one of the best Riverbend Lacrosse families. As many have heard, the world lost a beautiful gentle soul yesterday in Malachi Hodges.
There are no words to say to help make this make sense, or to ease the pain. The only thing we can do right now is to be there for each other. We as coaches are here to talk, to listen, to guide, and to support you however we can.
In the sports world, we talk a lot about family, and this is when we truly have to live it. We talk about it "taking a village", now is that time to step up and be active.
In a world where you can be anything, choose to be kind.
If you, or anyone, are struggling and need some help PLEASE reach out to any of us or call/text 988.
We care, even if you don't think anyone does-they do. Make us prove it!
Whatever it is, give us a chance to help.
Malachi will be greatly missed by so many, but we will all make sure he is NOT forgotten.
LLM❤️
#21

Coach Dave

07/09/2026

Good luck to Coach Becton on his D1 officiating evaluation up here in PA.
HUGE tourney! No pressure coach!