NEWPORT-What a rousing finish to the 2009 Newport Plain Talk Football Contest. And, when final numbers were tabulated, Jewell Ottinger of Newport was the man.

The final standings after Week 10 this past week had Ottinger and John David Bible tied at 76-24. Rachel Allen and Matt Reid were left to battle it out for third place over all after both finished at 75-25. And, A.C. Willis, Herb Thomas and Ronnie D. McGaha were after fifth and sixth place after all three finished with 74-26 overall records.

Our tiebreaker was overall points scored in University of Tennessee games this season so far.

Ottinger missed it by a mere nine points to come away with the overall championship. As our overall winner Ottinger 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.

As our runner-up Bible will receive a portable DVD player from Movie Time Video, located at 150 East Broadway in Newport.

In the battle for third place, Rachel Allen was 24 points closer that Matt Reid.

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

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

That left just the fifth and sixth place finishers to be determined. And, Herb Thomas came the closest in total points followed by A.C. Willis.

As our fifth-place finisher Thomas will win one night's lodging at any Motel 6, complements of Motel 6 in Newport, located at 225 Heritage Blvd.

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

Congratulations to each of our winners, and we ask that you call The Newport Plain Talk's Sharon Bryant Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. to we can present you with your prizes.

A huge thanks to all of our sponsors for making The Newport Plain Talk Football Contest a reality, including those who provided prizes for our weekly winners, 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.

We would also like to thank our many other sponsors who helped make The Newport Plain Talk Football Contest possible, including Chris Robinson at Glass, Paint & Body Shop, located at 147 Main Street in Newport, Beverly & Freddie Myers at East Tennessee Coffee Company Brockwell Construction, Co., Inc., located at 980 Thinwood Drive in Newport, Pharmacists Marty Bailey and Jonathan Styles at 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, Baptist Hospital & Convalescent Center of Cocke County, part of Mercy Health Partners, located at 435 Second Street in Newport and 450 Second Street in Newport, Ben's Home Center, located at 950 West Highway 25/70 in Newport, Cars East, located at 4055 East Morris Blvd. in Morristown and Blue Ridge Veterinary Services, P.C., located at 1599 Highway 160 in Bybee. And a big shout out to our own Sharon Bryant for keeping things under control.

Congratulations again to our winners, Jewell Ottinger (1st), John  David Bible (2nd), Rachel Allen (3rd), Matt Reid (4th), Herb Thomas (5th) and A.C. Willis (6th).

And, a big thank you to each and every one of you who participated this season. There were some tough picks this season, and we'll try to make them just as tough if not tougher in the 2010 season beginning next August.