State soccer champs to be celebrated at Coastal Empire All-Star event
TL;DR
The Coastal Empire All-Star event will celebrate the state soccer champions, including Savannah Arts, who won the title on May 13, 2026. The event highlights the achievements of local high school soccer teams.
Key points
- Coastal Empire All-Star event celebrates state soccer champions
- Savannah Arts won the state championship on May 13, 2026
- Event highlights achievements of local high school soccer teams
Sebastian Nanez of Savannah Arts in action in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
Caden Powell of Savannah Arts jockeys for position on a throw in against a Pierce County defender in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
Savannah Arts senior captain Nic Drabek (center) in action in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
Caden Powell of Savannah Arts takes a corner kick in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
After deking two defenders, Savannah Arts junior Caden Powell get set to launch a rocket into the back of the net for the first goal in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
Savannah Arts senior Robert Dennison in action in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
Savannah Arts freshman Leo Nanez looks to make a pass in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
Savannah Arts freshman Gabriel Guanique in action in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
Savannah Arts junior Caden Powell on the attack in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
Savannah Arts keeper Martin Melich goes up for a save in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
Savannah Arts soccer coach Ben Parker in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
Savannah Arts keeper Martin Melich clears one out of the box with a strong kick in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
Sebastian Nanez of Savannah Arts (right) battles for possesson in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
Alex Harkness of Savannah Arts plays a ball in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
The Savannah Arts soccer team poses after the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
Caden Powell of Savannah Arts was named the game's MVP in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
Sebastian Nanez of Savannah Arts poses with the championship trophy after the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
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Images: Savannah Arts boys win first state soccer title in program history
Sebastian Nanez of Savannah Arts in action in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
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Images: Savannah Arts boys win first state soccer title in program history
Sebastian Nanez of Savannah Arts in action in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
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Images: Savannah Arts boys win first state soccer title in program history
Caden Powell of Savannah Arts jockeys for position on a throw in against a Pierce County defender in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
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How the Savannah Arts boys soccer team won the program's first state title
Savannah Arts senior captain Nic Drabek (center) in action in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
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Images: Savannah Arts boys win first state soccer title in program history
Caden Powell of Savannah Arts takes a corner kick in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
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Images: Savannah Arts boys win first state soccer title in program history
After deking two defenders, Savannah Arts junior Caden Powell get set to launch a rocket into the back of the net for the first goal in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
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Images: Savannah Arts boys win first state soccer title in program history
Savannah Arts senior Robert Dennison in action in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
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Images: Savannah Arts boys win first state soccer title in program history
Savannah Arts freshman Leo Nanez looks to make a pass in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
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Images: Savannah Arts boys win first state soccer title in program history
Savannah Arts freshman Gabriel Guanique in action in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
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Images: Savannah Arts boys win first state soccer title in program history
Savannah Arts junior Caden Powell on the attack in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
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Images: Savannah Arts boys win first state soccer title in program history
Savannah Arts keeper Martin Melich goes up for a save in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
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Images: Savannah Arts boys win first state soccer title in program history
Savannah Arts soccer coach Ben Parker in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
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How the Savannah Arts boys soccer team won the program's first state title
Savannah Arts keeper Martin Melich clears one out of the box with a strong kick in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
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Images: Savannah Arts boys win first state soccer title in program history
Sebastian Nanez of Savannah Arts (right) battles for possesson in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
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Images: Savannah Arts boys win first state soccer title in program history
Alex Harkness of Savannah Arts plays a ball in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
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State soccer champs to be celebrated at Coastal Empire All-Star event
The Savannah Arts soccer team poses after the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
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Images: Savannah Arts boys win first state soccer title in program history
Caden Powell of Savannah Arts was named the game's MVP in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
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Images: Savannah Arts boys win first state soccer title in program history
Sebastian Nanez of Savannah Arts poses with the championship trophy after the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
The 16th annual Coastal Empire All-Star Soccer event was the brainchild of Windsor Forest soccer coach Cam Turner as a way to showcase the talent from the Greater Savannah area and help local players get on the radar of college coaches.
It has also turned into an end-of-the year soccer celebration as the top boys and girls players from Southeast Georgia get a chance to enjoy one more game in the sport they love — sharing the moment with teammates, coaches, opponents, family and friends.
This year's event, set for Saturday, May 16th at Islands High School, became even more important after the Islands boys and Savannah Arts boys made the trip to Atlanta earlier in the week and became the first public school programs in Savannah history to win state titles.
Islands was first as Justin Brantley's squad rolled to a 6-0 victory over East Hall on Tuesday night at Duluth High to win the Class 3A state championship. The Sharks won the first overall team title in any sport in the school's history in their first appearance in the finals.
On Wednesday night, Savannah Arts followed suit as the Panthers knocked off region rival Pierce County for the third time this season with an impressive 2-0 victory at St. Pius X High School to win the Class 2A crown.
Both teams will be well represented in the Coastal Empire All-Star event, Turner said.
"This was the best week in Southeast Georgia history," Turner said after the Savannah Arts win. "First Islands wins a state championship and then Savannah Arts followed it up. It totally legitimizes soccer in our area. I've been involved with soccer in the Coastal Empire for 30 years and this is the best it's ever been."
Tao Harlan of Islands was named the MVP in the Sharks state championship victory over East Hall on May 12th, 2026.
Turner said a big crowd showed up Tuesday night at Coach's Corner in Thunderbolt to watch Islands take home the Class 3A crown. And then on Wednesday, Brantley was there with his Sharks squad and another strong contingent of Savannah soccer fans to cheer on the Panthers in their victory.
"It was great to see our soccer community come together to support Islands and Savannah Arts and celebrate what they accomplished," Turner said. "And we'll get another chance to do it Saturday at the All-Star event. Both teams are going to bring their state championship trophies to show off, while a lot of their players will take the field to show off their talents."
The Savannah Arts soccer team poses after the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
There were 97 girls and 105 boys nominated to play in the game this year with more than 30 schools set to be represented in the event.
There will be three girls games contested with the boys playing four games. Girls games start at 10 a.m., with boys games beginning at 1 p.m. at Islands Stadium.
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: State soccer champs to be celebrated at Coastal Empire All-Star event
Q&A
What teams are being celebrated at the Coastal Empire All-Star event?
The event will celebrate the state soccer champions, including Savannah Arts.
When did Savannah Arts win the state championship?
Savannah Arts won the state championship on May 13, 2026.
What is the significance of the Coastal Empire All-Star event?
The event honors the achievements of local high school soccer teams and their successful seasons.
Where is the Coastal Empire All-Star event taking place?
The specific location of the Coastal Empire All-Star event has not been mentioned in the provided content.
