For his efforts on the gridiron last week, Newton defensive back Isaiah Fassett has been named the Newton Athlete of the Week.

The junior free safety tallied seven tackles in the Rams' 13-7 road win over Luella. The victory clinched a playoff spot for the Rams, while keeping open the possibility for a home playoff contest with a win this weekend against visitng Morrow.

Against the Lions, Fassett aided on an interception by teammate Daquan Porteous-Punch, tipping the ball to his teammate for the takeaway in the one-score win.

"We are hurting on defense, and Isaiah was a player that we knew we would need next year, but next year happened last week," Newton coach Terrance Banks said. "He went into the game and did a good job of coming up and tipping a pass. It was a big play for us. He stepped up big."

Fassett said that making the play felt great.

"It was awesome," he said. "We needed that and it kept us in the game."

Fassett said the Rams' next game against Morrow is a big one for the program.

"This game is real important," Fassett said. "We need a win this week. We want to play at home."