MINDEN, La. - Nine Louisiana high schools, including two in Northwest Louiaiana, have been selected among the first 300 national winners in T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights contest, earning $5,000 each and moving forward in the competition for a $1 million field renovation.
Now in its third year, the program supports high school athletic programs in communities with populations under 150,000.
The $5,000 grants can be applied toward helmets, weight room gear, uniforms, or travel expenses.
The Week 1 winners from Louisiana are:
- Berwick High School (Berwick)
- Covington High School (Covington)
- Glenbrook School (Minden)
- Haughton High School (Haughton)
- Jewel Sumner High School (Kentwood)
- Notre Dame High School (Crowley)
- Plain Dealing High School (Plain Dealing)
- River Oaks High School (Monroe)
- South Beauregard High School (Longville)
The 2026 program will award over $8.4 million in total prizes nationwide. Beyond the initial $5,000 grants, 40 regional finalists will win $25,000, four Division Champions will receive $250,000, and one school will win the $1 million field upgrade.
Applications remain open through Sept. 18 at FridayNight5GLights.com. Public voting runs from Oct. 8 through Oct. 25, followed by a final voting round from Oct. 29 through Nov. 8. The grand prize winner will be announced Nov. 12.