The Covington Rotary Club gave its annual Newton County Champion award to Newton High School this year. Newton coach Cortez Allen accepted the trophy Tuesday afternoon, thanking the Rotarians over lunch. He described the program's difficulties this year, including losing two key players to injury.

"But you pick up and move on," Allen said. "That's what football teaches young people."

Rotary president Brook Collins said that because the three Newton County teams did not play each other this year, the committee chose Newton High because the Rams beat Eastside, who beat Alcovy.

The Rotary Club also donated $1,000 to the Pride of Eastside band, which is raising money for a trip to Daytona, Fla., to play during the Daytona 500 NASCAR race in February.