Football players may be getting a few new blisters next Tuesday at the first-ever Covington County Fair Tug-of-War contest.

All area high school football teams and cheerleading squads have been challenged to compete in the double elimination tournament, which starts at 7:30 p.m. in the Covington Center Arena. The cheerleaders will go first, followed by the football players.

“It’s going to be a winner-take-all tournament for both,” Gary Buck, the contest’s director, said. “Football players and cheerleaders can win $250 for their schools.”

Individual teams will be comprised of eight members. The length of the top will be 12 feet with the winner being able to pull its opponent 6 feet. No spiked footwear is allowed, no knots can be tied in the rope, the anchorman can loop the top over one shoulder and all members must stay on their feet at all times. The only member who can touch the ground is the anchorman, who is allowed to put one hand on the ground at all times. A coin toss will decide the direction of the first pull. There is no weight limit for each team.

Rule violations will receive a warning. A second violation will result in disqualification and foul language will not be tolerated.

The contest will be taking place in conjunction with the Kiwanis Club’s annual Covington County Fair at the Kiwanis Fairgrounds.

“I thought that being we live in a small area, and the Kiwanis Club is all about helping young people, that this is a way for them to have fun and it’s going to be exciting,” Buck said. “It’s a way for them to make moments, and win or lose or daw, it’s all about the memories.”

The number of rounds will be dependent on how many teams show up, Buck said, adding that some teams will receive a bye.