Expect Charlotte To Be In The Race

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In his three seasons as head coach at Punta Gorda Charlotte High School, <strong>Cory Mentzer</strong> and his teams have shown improvement and that is expected to continue.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Posting a 6-14 mark in the first two seasons, you could see last off-season that the Tarpons were indeed improving with solid play in every class.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a second-place finish in District 10-5A play, this team advanced to the first round of the state playoffs, losing to Fort Myers in a competitive overtime contest. That loss, which was the second time in the season they dropped a game to Fort Myers showed how much better this program got as the season progressed. They lost earlier in the season, 42-21.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the off-season began, this team felt good about the season ahead – with several rising seniors (2026) coming back along with several new faces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If they are going to get by Cape Coral and win the district, it will be this 2026 class that will hold the key.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here is a look at some of those players:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Trenton Curliss, DE/TE, 6'3, 235 – 3.88 GPA. This</strong> is an emerging prospect who gets it done on both sides of the ball. Catches the ball on the offensive side of the ball as well. 83 solo, 61 asst, 34 TFL, 9 Sacks, 15 PD (2024 Defensive MVP, #17 in all of FL for total tackles).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE:</strong> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17723275/67438c0623225e784781f64b">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17723275/67438c0623225e784781f64b</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Daveon Daniels, DB/WR, 5-10, 170 – 3.49 GPA.</strong> Another versatile player who can line up on either side of the ball and make an impact. Is going to be an impact slot performer with his ability to get open and create separation. 32 receptions, 437 yards, 3 TDs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE:</strong> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18423372/Daveon-Daniels">https://www.hudl.com/profile/18423372/Daveon-Daniels</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1815269' first='Aaron' last='Hurley'], DE, 6-5, 220 – 3.52.</strong> Here is a gifted player who is still growing and will probably end up inside at the next level. 52 solo, 53 asst, 18 TFL, 6.5 Sacks, 1 PD (#8 in total tackles for 5A).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE:</strong> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19389804/Aaron-Hurley">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19389804/Aaron-Hurley</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Teagan Lipke, QB, 6-0, 183. </strong>He has very good arm strength and the ability to use his accuracy throwing as well as extend plays with his legs. He improved as the season moved along. 120/211 for 1281 yards, 15 TDs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE:</strong> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/22338592/Teagen-Lipke">https://www.hudl.com/profile/22338592/Teagen-Lipke</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jaxon Newton, OL/DL, 6'5, 290 – 3.85 GPA.</strong> A big, physical athlete who has the quickness and skill to play on either side of the ball. 63 pancakes during the 2024 season. Placed #2 in State for wrestling last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE:</strong> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19343515/Jaxon-Newton">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19343515/Jaxon-Newton</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Corbin Sifrit, OL/DL, 6'5, 285 – 4.51 GPA.</strong> Talk about a line prospect who will open holes for the running game and pass protection, this is a very intelligent player who has some leadership qualities as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE:</strong> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/17723377/Corbin-Sifrit">https://www.hudl.com/profile/17723377/Corbin-Sifrit</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212263' first='Jamari' last='Vaughn'], DE/LB, 6-0, 220 – 3.3 GPA.</strong> One of the more active players on a defense that should be quite stingy this coming season. Finished last season with 37 tackles, 30 assists and 11 tackles for loss.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE:</strong> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/18292422/Jamari-Vaughn">https://www.hudl.com/profile/18292422/Jamari-Vaughn</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1727634' first='Noah' last='Wooten'], K/P, 5-8, 160 – 3.7 GPA.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>TAPE: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/19955716/Noah-Wooten" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.hudl.com/profile/19955716/Noah-Wooten</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AWAITING SPRING VIDEO</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nathan Slater, DL, 6'1, 246 – 3.14 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CLASS OF 2027</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>AWAITING SPRING VIDEO</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brody Brantley, LS, 5'10, 172 – 4.5 GPA</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Florida March Class of 2026 Updated Rankings. <a>https://prepredzone.com/2025/03/updated-2026-florida-rankings/</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Statewide Coverage Daily. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/florida/">https://prepredzone.com/florida/</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com.</strong></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! Floridakids1@aol.com.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->