Photo Credit: @ajwproduction
Decatur, Georgia – Before the regular season begins, championship programs often reveal themselves by the way they compete in the offseason. On Tuesday at Cobb Stadium, the Columbia Eagles did exactly that, battling through adversity and showcasing resilience to capture the 2026 DeKalb County Air It Out 7-on-7 Championship.
The Eagles completed an impressive five-game run through the tournament, capping off their day with a thrilling 21-13 comeback victory over Southwest DeKalb in the championship game. Columbia’s combination of poise, timely defensive stops, and clutch offensive execution proved to be the difference as they claimed one of DeKalb County’s premier summer football titles.
Southwest DeKalb entered the championship with plenty of momentum after winning three consecutive games to earn a spot in the finals. The Panthers wasted little time making their presence felt, jumping out to a 13-6 advantage behind an efficient passing attack and strong playmaking on both sides of the ball. Their early lead appeared to put Columbia on its heels, but the Eagles never lost confidence. Trailing by seven points, the Eagles marched down the field and found the end zone to even the score. The momentum completely shifted moments later when Columbia’s defense came through with the biggest play of the game. Under the Air It Out rules, forcing a turnover on downs awards the defense two points, and the Eagles did just that, stopping Southwest DeKalb to take a 15-13 lead without allowing another score.
With confidence building and momentum fully on their side, Columbia’s offense delivered the knockout punch. The Eagles engineered another methodical drive before capping it with a perfectly executed 10-yard touchdown pass, extending the lead to 21-13 and putting Southwest DeKalb in comeback mode. The Panthers refused to quit, mounting one final drive in an attempt to tie the game. However, Columbia’s defense remained disciplined, forcing Southwest DeKalb to race against the clock. Time expired before the Panthers could complete the rally, allowing the Eagles to celebrate a hard-earned championship victory.
While 7-on-7 football doesn’t determine what will happen once the pads come on in the fall, it provides an excellent opportunity for quarterbacks, receivers, defensive backs, and coaching staffs to develop chemistry and compete against quality opponents. Columbia demonstrated throughout the tournament that it possesses the composure and competitive spirit needed to succeed in pressure situations.
The Eagles’ championship run also highlighted their resilience. Rather than folding after falling behind in the title game, Columbia responded with its best football when the stakes were highest. That ability to overcome adversity is often the mark of successful programs heading into the regular season.
