After a standout performance last Friday against No. 4 Lowndes, Newton linebacker A.J. Palomino has been named the Newton Player of the Week.

Palomino recorded 11 tackles in the Rams' 15-14 victory over the Vikings, totaling four tackles-for-loss.

Palomino, who started a handful of games for the Rams at the end of the 2012 season, spent a month over the summer suffering from an illness.

Newton coach Terrance Banks said that the summer setback didn't deter Palomino from getting on the field this fall and shining on the Rams' brightest stage of the young season.

"Knowing what to do and then manning up and actually doing it are two completely different things," Banks said, "A.J. did that. He’s worked hard and played straight downhill against Lowndes. It was great to see."

Palomino said that he was glad he performed well against Lowndes because of the exposure it brings the team.

"It’s always for the team first," Palomino said. "We played well as a team and came out with the win. People overlook us and we want to show other people that we are a team to look out for."

The junior linebacker is also a wrestler on the Rams' wrestling team when he's not on the gridiron.

Palomino and the Rams have a week off before traveling to Valdosta on Sept. 20.