MARIETTA, GA — The Marietta High School football team is taking its first away game of the season overseas Thursday as the Blue Devils face the NFL Academy in England.

75 Marietta High football players and staff traveled to England for the season opener in Loughborough, outside London.

“It’s a very special opportunity,” Marietta Schools Superintendent Grant Rivera said.

The idea for the international game came from head coach Cameron Duke, who had previously participated in the program. Rivera says Duke and the booster program worked to raise money for the trip and establish a relationship with the NFL.

“So he and this booster program have been working to fundraise for this trip, and he just opened every door possible to ensure a relationship with the NFL,” Rivera said.

For some of the students, the trip marks their first time traveling outside Georgia. Rivera says the experience extends beyond football, with students continuing their schoolwork while learning through international travel.

“While they’re enjoying London, they’re also doing their school work that’s been assigned back here in Marietta, but the other lessons they’re learning quite honestly are all of the travel,” Rivera said.

The team will also participate in a service project during the trip.

“The goal is to not only give the kids the athletic opportunity of course, but to make this an entire cultural experience,” Rivera said.

The game kicks off at 1 p.m. EDT Thursday and will be streamed live on the NFL UK & Ireland YouTube channel.

Marietta High School and the community will also hold a watch party at the Marietta Melt Yard, where the game will be shown on delay from 7 to 9 p.m.

“It is a thrilling time, not just for the team who’s over in London, but certainly for the entire community who rallies around them,” Rivera said.

The international matchup will continue next year when the Blue Devils host the NFL Academy in Marietta.

WSB Radio’s Lisa Nicholas contributed to this story.