PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – The Port Charlotte Pirates football program is riding high after a historic 2025 season, but as they set their sights on 2026, there’s one opponent they’re determined to conquer before any other: complacency.

Last year marked a milestone for the Pirates, as they advanced to the state semifinals for the first time in program history. With a strong core of returning players, confidence is naturally running high. But head coach Jordan Ingman knows that success can breed a dangerous sense of comfort.

"We’ve got to fight complacency," Ingman said. "We had a terrible day today, and we’ve got a long way to go in two weeks. We’re going to see some extremely talented football teams that are well coached and tough. Lakeland’s been in state finals three years in a row. Buchholz has been in the final four. We signed up for that. We want to see the best. We want to have our deficiencies revealed, and we’ve got two weeks to get a lot better."

The Pirates are set to test themselves against elite competition in the coming days. They’ll first take the field in an official scrimmage against two powerhouse programs: Bradenton Manatee and Sarasota Cardinal Mooney — both state championship teams. Then, just a week away, they’ll participate in a three-team jamboree at legendary Bryant Stadium, facing off against Gainesville Buchholz and nine-time state champion Lakeland.

For Ingman and his staff, these matchups are more than just preseason tune-ups. They’re a measuring stick. With the talent returning to Port Charlotte, the Pirates are eager to see how they stack up against the best in the state.

"The last four years, we’ve been second round, third round in the playoffs," Ingman reflected. "Last year’s team was extremely gritty and extremely tough, and that’s how that team got through."

As the Pirates prepare for their toughest tests yet, the message is clear: stay hungry, stay humble, and keep fighting. The road to 2026 starts now, and Port Charlotte isn’t about to let success go to their heads.