Charlotte shuts out Fort Myers 21-0 to open centennial season

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. (WINK) — Charlotte High opened the regular season with a shutout Friday night, beating Fort Myers 21-0 as the Fighting Tarpons began their centennial season under first-year head coach Kevin Claxton.

Both teams entered Week 1 looking to bounce back from preseason losses. Charlotte fell 38-7 to Bishop Verot in its Kickoff Classic, while Fort Myers lost 29-23 to Estero.

“We're fired up. We're ready to get back out there and perform,” Claxton said before the game. “You know, we had a really good week of practice, really good film sessions, and it's time for us to go out there and show the Tarpon family what we're about, and set the tone for the season.”

Charlotte’s defense did not take long to do exactly that.

Just a few plays into the first quarter, senior defensive back Kamran Curliss went up to intercept a Fort Myers pass and returned it for a touchdown, giving Charlotte the first points of the night.

The Tarpons came up with another interception on the Green Wave’s next possession, setting the tone for a defense that kept Fort Myers off the scoreboard for the entire game.

Charlotte eventually built its advantage to 21-0 and finished off the shutout, improving to 1-0 while Fort Myers dropped to 0-1. 

The win came during a season carrying added significance for Charlotte High. The school opened in 1926 and is celebrating its 100th anniversary throughout 2026.

For Claxton, taking over the football program during the centennial year has added another layer to his first season in Punta Gorda.

“It feels great,” Claxton said. “I mean, there's a lot of support here in this community. We've been working really hard to put a product on the field that they can be proud of.”

Charlotte returns home Friday to face Gulf Coast, while Fort Myers will host Lehigh. Both games are scheduled for 7:30 p.m.