NEWPORT-Wow! What a way to start the 2008 version of The Newport Plain Talk Football Contest.

Yes, the picks were tough. But, surprise, surprise! Many of our contestants in Week 1 made it look easy. When the tabulations were complete, 13 contestants finished tied at 9-1, while 25 finished at 8-2 and 26 at 7-3. Pretty impressive in deed! Also impressive is that we received 88 total entries for the Week 1 contest. But, most impressive was Beverly Coakley of Newport, who ran the table.

The difference-makers this week on the college level were highlighted by Alabama-Clemson. Clemson was highly touted coming in, but Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide impressed, literally steamrolling the Tigers 34-10. On the high school level, the biggest miss was Morristown West-Jefferson County, which was won by the Trojans, and the Cosby-Pigeon Forge game, which was won by Cosby with some late-game heroics. Most picked Jefferson County and Pigeon Forge.

But, none of that seemed to bother Ms. Coakley, who got the Football Contest off to a perfect 10-0 start.

By being our Week 1 winner, Coakley will be picking up some great prizes, including a $10 gift certificate from Pizza Plus, located at 733 Cosby Highway in Newport, and one free movie rental compliments of Movie Time Video, located at 150 East Broadway in Newport.

The 13 contestants that finished at 9-1 included Mitch Coakley, Robert Gray, Tim Grooms, Tracy Williamson, Austin Ford, Hank Douglas, Sr., D.K. Elliott, Brandon Lane, Diana Grooms, James Bice, Adam Lovell, Morgan Hall, and Herbie Keller.

The 25 contestants that finished at 8-2 included Ricky Susong, Brian Holt, Darrin Costner, Junior Price, Johnny Hance, Cody Butler, Cheryl Presnell, Luther Pruitt, Jewell Ottinger, Julie Souder, Evelyn Webb, Angie Wills, Jacob Wise, Betty McAndrew, David Shelton, Teresa McGaha, Ronnie D. McGaha, Charles T. Henderson, Jimmy Don Jones, Judy Williams, Eric R. Baxter, Chris Lynch, Hope Sisk, Ronnie Leatherwood and Isaac Green.

The 26 entrants that finished at 7-3 included Matt Reid, Walter Cole, Terry Quinton, Mike Butler, Tim Miller, Tommy Allen, Robert Amick, Patricia Stock, Ronnie Barrett, Frank Bible, John David Bible, Clint Ramsey, Paul K. Lee, Billy Roberts, John Jenkins, O.B. Barnett, Jordan Strange, Hannah Neas, Tracy Williams, Billy Massengill, Rickie Jones, Jason Martin, Barbara Toby, Scott McGaha, Ken Hall and Derrick G. Webb.

The 16 contestants finishing at 6-4 included Jeff Shelton, Angela Barnes-Templin, Bill Templin, Marty Coakley, James Roth, H.D. Douglas, Jr., LuAnn Meadows, Mark Sandburg, A.C. Willis, Hunter Suggs, Kevin Halcomb, Jim Blazer, Jeff Large, Angela Williams, Chris Gregg and Penny Grooms.

Three entrants finished at 5-5, including Kenny Cody, Tristan Ball and Rachel Allen.

Three contestants finished at 4-6, including Scott W. Allen, Brandon Clevenger and Mary Gray.

And, Junior Phillips finished a 3-7.

Don't worry if you had a so-so week. Totals can change quickly as the contest moves along. And, you certainly want to be there in the end, because we have some dynamite prizes for you after the 10 weeks are complete.

Our overall winner at the end of the season will be presented the Grand Prize, one cinema party for the winner and 19 friends or family members from Newport Cinema 4, located at 424 Heritage Blvd. in Newport. This includes a movie complete with popcorn and drinks for the 20 attendees.

The runner-up at the end of the season will receive a portable DVD player from Movie Time Video, located at 150 East Broadway in Newport.

The third-place finisher will receive a $50 gift certificate from Poe's Sport Center, located at 160 Highway 25-E in Newport.

The fourth-place finisher will win a $50 gift certificate Dazzler's Diamond Showroom, located at 503 Cosby Highway in Newport.

The fifth-place finisher will win one night's lodging at any Motel 6, in Newport, located at 225 Heritage Blvd.

And, the sixth-place finisher will get a quick lube, oil and filter courtesy of Stinnett's, located at 1041 West Highway 25/70 in Newport.

We would also like to thank our many other sponsors who help make The Newport Plain Talk Football Contest possible, including Debbie's Drive-In, located at 157 West Broadway in Newport, Sun Loan Company, located at 301 Cosby Highway, Village Shopping Center, in Newport, Brockwell Construction, Co., Inc., located at 980 Thinwood Drive in Newport, Freeman's Furniture, located at 432 Eastern Plaza in Newport, Town & Country Drugs, located at 771 Cosby Highway in Newport, Dixie Pawn Shop, located at 747 Cosby Highway in Newport, U.S. Title Loans, located at 658 Cosby Highway in Newport, Stinnett Heating & Air, LLC., located at 642 Rankin Road in Newport, National Bank of Tennessee, located at 262 East Broadway in Newport, Baptist Hospital & Convalescent Center of Cocke County, located at 435 Second Street in Newport and 450 Second Street in Newport, and Blue Ridge Veterinary Services, P.C., located at 1599 Highway 160 in Bybee.

We've lined up more great games for you this week. Week 2 high school games include Cocke County at Volunteer, Cosby at Cloudland, Campbell County at Jefferson County, Oak Ridge at Bradley Central and Knox Central and Knox Halls. On the college level, we've got Miami (Fla.) at Florida, BYU at Washington, Northwestern at Duke, Georgia Tech at Boston College and Stanford at Arizona State.

The Week 2 contest appears on Page 11 of today's Plain Talk, so good luck!