Teams from across Georgia gathered at New Manchester High School on Thursday for a 7-on-7 tournament that was about a whole lot more than just football.

Players at the Trust Downs 7-on-7 Academy took part in a morning seminar that included faith and transitions to adulthood, mental health and financial literacy before taking the field.

The academy was put on by the Downs family, including New Manchester head coach Olten Downs, his brother Gary, a former NFL running back, and Gary's sons Josh, a wide receiver with the Indianapolis Colts, and Caleb, a safety who won a national championship at Ohio State and was drafted 11th overall by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2026 NFL draft.

"We're trying to prepare the guys for the fifth quarter life," Olten Downs said. "Preparing young men for life after football and using football as a tool to get you where you want to go in life. And it's not just, 'I want to make it to these places, and that's it.' Having a plan beyond that."

In the afternoon, the seven teams — including New Manchester, Douglas County, Newton County, Langston Hughes, North Clayton, Meadow Creek and Columbia — competed in a 7-on-7 passing tournament.

Newton finished as the tournament champion, with Langston Hughes taking the runner-up trophy.

Newton rising junior Kevin Hartsfield, one of the top running back recruits in the nation, was named the tournament MVP.

Players received gear, water and other items from sponsorships through Adidas, Callaway Blue and Celsius, Downs said.

The coach said he hopes the Trust Downs 7-on-7 Academy becomes an annual event at New Manchester.

"It was an awesome time to be here on campus and let people see our beautiful campus here and give back to the community," he said.