Tarpon Springs sets record, wins Tangerine Bowl XIV

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS- For the third time in program history, the Tarpon Springs Pirates were offered a chance to take part in the prestigious National Bowl Weekend event in Central Florida. 

For the third time, the Pirates came away with the win and the trophy. 

Tarpon Springs was fueled by their high-powered offense as quarterback Isiah McIntyre threw multiple touchdown passes en route to a 48-34 victory over the Glass City Tigers of Ohio. The 82 combined points set a National Bowl Weekend single game record. 

For the Pirates, it improved the program's record to 3-0 in National Bowl Weekend games as they also won titles in 2013 (win over Hudson County Bounty Hunters) and 2023 (win over the Texas Colts). 

Though Tarpon Springs eventually ran away with the game, the score could've been much different if some gratuitous bounces didn't seem to go in the way of Glass City almost every time. 

The Pirates rushed out to a 20-6 lead, but the Tigers were able to get themselves back into the contest with a 105-yard return for a touchdown to come within 20-13. 

Tarpon Springs entered halftime ahead just 27-20, but opened the second half with a touchdown drive as McIntyre connected with Rico Holmes on a scoring pass. The team began to roll in the second half, eventually creating a gap, though the final score indicated a closer game than what transpired. 

Now the Pirates will go on a break until their EAFL 2026 season opener on Feb. 28th against the South Florida Wolverines at Carter Park in Fort Lauderdale.