Flaherty reaches 100th career touchdown as Port Charlotte routs Charlotte
The Pirates' quarterback finished his final rivalry game against his alma mater with a milestone score in a 42-6 victory, setting his sights on the county record of 110.
By Nour Haddad ·
Port Charlotte quarterback Logan Flaherty scored his 100th career touchdown in his final regular-season game against Charlotte on Friday night, capping a 42-6 victory for the Pirates. The milestone occurred during the first quarter, a period that marked the closest the Tarpons came to keeping the contest tight.
The game ended with the Pirates holding a 42-6 lead, extending their dominance in the Peace River Rivalry. This result continues a five-year streak in which Port Charlotte has defeated Charlotte. The last time the two teams played a close game was four years ago, when the final margin of victory was seven points or fewer.
Flaherty, who is leaving Port Charlotte to play for Florida State University next season, has led the Pirates to their first regional championship in school history during the previous campaign. His performance on the field has earned him recognition as one of the top players in Charlotte County history.
Before transferring to Port Charlotte, Flaherty played his freshman season at Charlotte High. He appeared in only eight games for the Tarpons during that 4-7 season due to injury. Since the transfer, he has developed into a quarterback capable of running the ball, extending plays, and completing passes of varying distance.
Following the game, Flaherty spent time signing autographs and posing for photos with fans of all ages. He credited his preparation for these interactions to years of practice. "I would sit in my math class since my freshman year, and when we were taking notes, I would flip to the back of my book and just do my signature the whole period, so I’ve learned how to do it fluently," Flaherty said.
The quarterback expressed a desire to represent the local community while competing at higher levels. "Let’s be a good football player and continue to lead and build this Port Charlotte community that’s an awesome place. Let’s show this area, and not only southwest Florida, but let’s show the state, and hopefully the nation that we are an area that’s able to compete at a high level," he said.
Flaherty stated that reaching 100 touchdowns is a blessing, but he is not finished setting records. He believes Mike Bellamy, a former Charlotte High running back, holds the county record at 110 career touchdowns. "I want to continue to go. I believe, correct me if I’m wrong, but Mike Bellamy has the county record at 110, so I would like to set the goal for myself to get to that," Flaherty said.
According to MaxPreps, Bellamy has 104 career touchdowns. Flaherty acknowledged that he must continue to play without fixating on the number, but he expects to reach the mark before his time in high school ends.
The Pirates will look to secure their first state title later this year. Flaherty will serve as the starting quarterback for that effort before graduating and heading to college.
