Football Game Preview: Charlotte Fightin' Tarpons vs. McLaughlin Phoenix

The Charlotte Fightin' Tarpons will square off against the McLaughlin Phoenix at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Having both just faced considerable losses, both teams are looking to turn things around.

Charlotte is likely headed into the game with a focus on the second half, which is when things went downhill against Port Charlotte on Friday. The Fightin' Tarpons were outmatched by the Pirates and fell 35-7. The defeat continues a trend for the Fightin' Tarpons in their meetings with the Pirates: they've now lost four in a row.

Even if they lost, Charlotte's defensive line still kept up the pressure with three sacks. The team can thank three different players for their defensive prowess: Trenton Curliss, Aaron Hurley, and Ryan Morris, who each picked up one sack apiece. Curliss was another major factor on D, picking up a sack, making ten total tackles, and defending two passes.

Meanwhile, Friday just wasn't the day for McLaughlin's offense. They took a blow against Windermere on Friday, falling 55-0. While losing is never fun, the Phoenix can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Florida football rankings (they are ranked 506th, while the Wolverines are ranked 231st).

McLaughlin's loss dropped their record down to 2-6. As for Charlotte, their defeat dropped their record down to 4-4.