Port Charlotte improved to 3–0 with a decisive 49–13 victory over Lehigh on Friday at Harbor Nissan Stadium. Here's a rundown:
Offense:
Quarterback Logan Flaherty tossed four touchdown passes, with Eli Pearl and Dallas Lambert each hauling in two scores. Flaherty also connected with Mikael Santa for the game’s opening touchdown. Running back Bruce Blanden powered the ground game with 172 rushing yards on 15 carries and two touchdowns.
Special teams & momentum:
Port Charlotte seized control early. A blocked punt set up a short field for the first score, and on the ensuing kickoff a fumble recovery led to a one-play TD strike to Lambert for a 21–0 lead midway through the first quarter. In the second half, Pearl’s 86-yard kickoff return answered a Lehigh touchdown and pushed the margin to 42–13.
Defense:
The Pirates produced multiple red-zone stops, including a goal-line stand after an interception return placed Lehigh inside the 15. The defense held firm again later in the second quarter to preserve a 28–7 halftime advantage, and a late third-quarter TD pass from Flaherty to Lambert triggered a running clock.
By the numbers (Port Charlotte):
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Blanden: 15 rush, 172 yds, 2 TD
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Flaherty: 11/17, 144 yds, 4 TD, 1 INT
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Pearl: 2 receiving TDs + 86-yd KR TD
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Lambert: 2 receiving TDs
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Santa: 5-yd TD reception
The Pirates showed solid execution in all three phases—offense, defense, and special teams—which carried them from the opening minutes to the final whistle. The results? It was a good solid win in all three aspects of the game.
