Charlotte, Hilliard Look Toward The Summer

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Throughout the course of the off-season, we have had the pleasure of bringing you several football programs from all over the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Breaking down the three classes (2025, 2026 &amp; 2027) that are in the spotlight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today, we continue our end of spring look with two schools that continue to make major strides, growing and improving in the off-season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CHARLOTTE BUILDS OFF DISTRICT TITLE.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was a good news bad news year for the Punta Gorda Charlotte Tarpons in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With wins over Lehigh, Fort Myers Riverdale and Cape Coral Ida Baker, Head Coach <strong>Cory Mentzer</strong> and his team captured the then 15-4S district title, giving them a state playoff game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other side of the coin, this team finished 4-7, losing the first four games of the season, and three of the final four.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What that title did for this team was send them into the off-season with the knowledge that they had a year where they started to turn the corner, but also the reality that 2024 would certainly be a challenge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After a successful spring, the team heads into the summer with a pair of rising (2025) seniors - <strong>Seven Bullock</strong> (WR, 6-2, 195 – 3.3 GPA) and <strong>Luke Wadsworth</strong> (WR/FS, 5-11, 170 – 4.42 GPA), who will provide the experience along with leadership.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If the Tarpons are to continue climbing that ladder to the top, the rising junior (2026) class will be essential.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Among those prospects includes <strong>Trenton Curliss</strong> (WR, 6-3, 205 – 3.88 GPA), <strong>Daveon Daniels</strong> (DB/WR, 5-11, 175 – 3.68. Track Athlete), <strong>Jaxon Newton</strong> (OL/DL, 6-5, 290 – 3.7 GPA. Wrestling. Track), <strong>Trell Polk</strong> (DB/WR, 6-1, 180 – 4.43 GPA. Basketball), and versatile lineman <strong>Corbin Sifrit</strong> (OL/DL, 6-5, 240 – 4.5 GPA. Basketball)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>POSITIVE SPRING DRIVES HILLIARD</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nobody is sweeping the 2023 season under the rug like it didn't happen. That is not the way to build a program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For head coach <strong>Matt Yancey</strong> and his Hilliard Flashes, a 3-8 record is not what this team is truly about.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Losing eight games – six by a combined total of 13 points was a reason that when the season was over, there was a strong feeling that this program was on the verge of turning things around.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a solid spring – sparked by a huge win at Jacksonville Bishop Snyder, 21-10, this summer is something that each player was looking forward to.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With camps and other events planned along with conditioning, those close loses could turn around – and instead of winning just three times – things could change quickly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a rising senior (2025) class ready to display leadership, talent, and experience – prospects such as <strong>Brogan Johns</strong> (RB/DB, 6-0, 185 – 3.5 GPA), <strong>Brent Leung</strong> (Athlete, 6-2, 180 – 2.47 GPA), gifted <strong>William “Trey” Matthew</strong> (DB/OLB/RB, 6-0, 200 – 3.8 GPA), and defensive end <strong>Hoss Nelson</strong> (6-0, 180) will be counted on heavily.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With some incoming freshmen and rising sophomores, the future looks very bright – especially with rising juniors (2026) <strong>Camauri Bolden</strong> (CB/WR, 6-0, 175 – 3.5 GPA), and receiver <strong>Ethan Garland</strong> (WR, 5-8, 148 – 3.97 GPA).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Statewide Coverage Daily.</strong> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/florida/">https://prepredzone.com/florida/</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at:</strong> <a>Floridakids1@aol.com</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>COACHES, PLAYERS: Do You Have A Subscription? Contact us for a savings code so you can see what everyone has been talking about! </strong><a>Floridakids1@aol.com</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->