How the Islands boys soccer team broke through to win its first state title

Islands assistant coach Rob Neall had a specially decorated dome for the Sharks playoff run to the state title this season.

Islands senior Sid Johnson awaits a throw in on May 12, 2026 in the Sharks state championship win over East Hall.

Islands junior Tao Harlan scores the second goal of the game in the Sharks state championship victory over East Hall on May 12th, 2026.

Islands keeper Isaac Schultz makes a play in the Sharks state championship victory over East Hall on May 12th, 2026.

Islands soccer coach Justin Brantley talks to his squad at halftime in the Sharks state championship victory over East Hall on May 12th, 2026.

Islands senior JJ Stein throws the ball in during the Sharks state championship victory over East Hall on May 12th, 2026.

Islands senior Julian Roma takes a water break near the end of the Sharks state championship victory over East Hall on May 12th, 2026.

Langston Kana of Islands in action in the Sharks state championship victory over East Hall on May 12th, 2026.

Islands coach Justin Brantley makes a point to a player in the Sharks state championship victory over East Hall on May 12th, 2026.

Tao Harlan of Islands was named the MVP in the Sharks state championship victory over East Hall on May 12th, 2026.

JJ Stein of Islands takes a shot in the Sharks state championship victory over East Hall on May 12th, 2026.

Islands senior JJ Stein reacts after his shot hit off the post in the Sharks state championship victory over East Hall on May 12th, 2026.

JJ Stein blasts a free kick that was just high in the Sharks state championship victory over East Hall on May 12th, 2026.

Dylan Coggins of Islands scores off a rebound from JJ Stein's shot off the post in the Sharks state championship victory over East Hall on May 12th, 2026.

Islands junior Tao Harlan was named the MVP of the game in the Sharks state championship victory over East Hall on May 12th, 2026.

Islands senior Sid Johnson celebrates after the Sharks state championship victory over East Hall on May 12th, 2026.

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Images: Islands boys soccer team wins first state title in program history

Islands center back Alex Roma (right) in action as the Sharks beat East Hall to win the Class 3A state soccer title on May 12, 2026.

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Images: Islands boys soccer team wins first state title in program history

Islands center back Alex Roma (right) in action as the Sharks beat East Hall to win the Class 3A state soccer title on May 12, 2026.

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How the Islands boys soccer team broke through to win its first state title

Islands junior Charlie Neall holds up the state championship trophy and celebrates with teammates after the Sharks state championship victory over East Hall on May 12th, 2026.

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Images: Islands boys soccer team wins first state title in program history

Islands freshman Colt Lawhorn makes a cross that led to a goal by Andrew McLaughlin as the Sharks beat East Hall to win the Class 3A state soccer title.

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Images: Islands boys soccer team wins first state title in program history

Colt Lawhorn of Islands in action as the Sharks beat East Hall to win the Class 3A state soccer title on May 12, 2026.

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Images: Islands boys soccer team wins first state title in program history

Colt Lawhorn of Islands pressures the East Hall defense as the Sharks beat East Hall to win the Class 3A state soccer title on May 12, 2026.

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Images: Islands boys soccer team wins first state title in program history

Islands assistant coach Rob Neall had a specially decorated dome for the Sharks playoff run to the state title this season.

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Images: Islands boys soccer team wins first state title in program history

Islands senior Sid Johnson awaits a throw in on May 12, 2026 in the Sharks state championship win over East Hall.

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Images: Islands boys soccer team wins first state title in program history

Islands junior Tao Harlan scores the second goal of the game in the Sharks state championship victory over East Hall on May 12th, 2026.

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How the Islands boys soccer team broke through to win its first state title

Islands keeper Isaac Schultz makes a play in the Sharks state championship victory over East Hall on May 12th, 2026.

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Images: Islands boys soccer team wins first state title in program history

Islands soccer coach Justin Brantley talks to his squad at halftime in the Sharks state championship victory over East Hall on May 12th, 2026.

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Images: Islands boys soccer team wins first state title in program history

Islands senior JJ Stein throws the ball in during the Sharks state championship victory over East Hall on May 12th, 2026.

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Images: Islands boys soccer team wins first state title in program history

Islands senior Julian Roma takes a water break near the end of the Sharks state championship victory over East Hall on May 12th, 2026.

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Images: Islands boys soccer team wins first state title in program history

Langston Kana of Islands in action in the Sharks state championship victory over East Hall on May 12th, 2026.

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Images: Islands boys soccer team wins first state title in program history

Islands coach Justin Brantley makes a point to a player in the Sharks state championship victory over East Hall on May 12th, 2026.

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Images: Islands boys soccer team wins first state title in program history

Tao Harlan of Islands was named the MVP in the Sharks state championship victory over East Hall on May 12th, 2026.

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How the Islands boys soccer team broke through to win its first state title

JJ Stein of Islands takes a shot in the Sharks state championship victory over East Hall on May 12th, 2026.

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Images: Islands boys soccer team wins first state title in program history

Islands senior JJ Stein reacts after his shot hit off the post in the Sharks state championship victory over East Hall on May 12th, 2026.

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Images: Islands boys soccer team wins first state title in program history

JJ Stein blasts a free kick that was just high in the Sharks state championship victory over East Hall on May 12th, 2026.

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Images: Islands boys soccer team wins first state title in program history

Dylan Coggins of Islands scores off a rebound from JJ Stein's shot off the post in the Sharks state championship victory over East Hall on May 12th, 2026.

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Images: Islands boys soccer team wins first state title in program history

Islands junior Tao Harlan was named the MVP of the game in the Sharks state championship victory over East Hall on May 12th, 2026.

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Images: Islands boys soccer team wins first state title in program history

Islands senior Sid Johnson celebrates after the Sharks state championship victory over East Hall on May 12th, 2026.

DULUTH — Islands soccer coach Justin Brantley knew his team's potential before the season even started and let his players know that every moment of practice and every game they played was to prepare them for a run at a state title.

Brantley set up a rugged early season schedule to get his team battle-tested and his attention to detail rubbed off on his players, who took pride in doing all the little things right from the start of the season — to the glorious finish the Sharks celebrated on Tuesday night.

Islands won its first state championship in dominating fashion as the Sharks rolled to a 6-0 win over East Hall at Duluth High.

Islands became the first public school in Savannah history to win a boys soccer state championship, and the Sharks were the first to win a team state crown in any sport at Islands. The Sharks finished the year with a 22-2 record.

The Shark defense had a spectacular run through the playoffs as Islands didn't allow a goal in five of their postseason matches.

"We beat three potential state champions in our last three games, so I was very, very confident in my guys because I know we don't concede goals very easily," said Brantley, in his fifth season leading the program. "We had that confidence in our back line and we just played a fantastic game — it was our best match of the year. There had been so many games when we just didn't finish with our chances, and I told the guys to keep playing those balls and those shots are going to drop — and they did tonight with four goals in the first half."

The Sharks took control from the start. Freshman Colt Lawhorn had a few strong runs down the right side of the field and cashed in quickly in the sixth minute with a cross to Andrew McLaughlin that the sophomore slotted into the left side of the net.

Ten minutes later, senior JJ Stein was the man on the spot when East Hall tried to clear a ball out of its own end. Stein stopped it with his chest, and then instantly scored from about 10 yards out to give Islands a 2-0 lead in the 16th minute.

Islands junior Charlie Neall holds up the state championship trophy and celebrates with teammates after the Sharks state championship victory over East Hall on May 12th, 2026.

The Sharks kept the pressure on with a set piece in the 19th minute when senior Zach Smith showed his strength with a long throw in over the East Hall defenders as junior Tao Harlan circled behind them and came charging in to score on a ball off his hip.

Harlan, who was named the game's Most Valuable Player, went one-one-one with the Viking keeper and feinted left before going toward the right post for an impressive goal that pretty much put the game out of reach in the 28th minute.

Islands keeper Isaac Schultz makes a play in the Sharks state championship victory over East Hall on May 12th, 2026.

"This means everything to us," Harlan said. "I love this team so much and it's our first ever championship. We're so glad we got the job done for Coach Brantley and now we get to celebrate. I never thought I would get the MVP of the game, but it means a lot to me."

In the second half, Stein had a strong chance coming up the left side and the ball came out to Dylan Coggins, who sent it home from 12 yards out on the right win.

With about 1:30 left, Stein was taken down in the box and awarded a penalty kick. Brantley put in senior defender Sid Johnson, a vocal team leader, to take the kick and Johnson converted for his first goal of the season as his teammates erupted.

"Our dream was to get into the final and win it, and here we are — we just won it 6-0," said Stein, who was recently named the Region 3-3A Co-Offensive Player of the Year. "I don't know what to say, I'm almost speechless. Coach Brantley meant so much to us from his motivation to his tactics. He built that connection. The key to our success was our chemistry — we're like a family out there. We played together and we won that game tonight playing as one."

JJ Stein of Islands takes a shot in the Sharks state championship victory over East Hall on May 12th, 2026.

It was truly a family affair on the back line with junior Alex Roma at centerback with his brother Julian, a senior, on the back line along with Johnson and Smith.

Alex Roma was recently named the Region 3-3A Player of the Year, a well-earned accolade for his tough work anchoring the Shark defense.

"Defense is our thing and I think Coach Brantley really set us up to have a great year," Alex Roma said. "We give 110% every day in practice, and I feel like it paid off today. Me and my brother have been playing together for a long time, so we have that chemistry back there. And we all clicked as a unit defensively this season."

It was a spirited celebration after the victory as the players went crazy and Brantley joined in to share the moment with his players and fellow coaches.

"It means the world to us and it's all a credit to the boys," Brantley said. "They have bought into our program and bringing a state championship back to the 912 is a great accomplishment."Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at Dknight@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMN

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Islands boys soccer dominates to win first state title in program history