Florence-Henry Falcons Rally Community Support in T-Mobile Friday Night 5G Lights Contest for $1M Field Upgrade
Northeast Radio SD News – Florence, SD - The Florence-Henry Falcons football program is officially in the running for one of the largest high school athletics prizes in the country, after being selected as an early-round winner in T‑Mobile’s nationwide Friday Night 5G Lights competition.
The Falcons have already secured $5,000 through the contest’s weekly prize package and an additional $1,000 Exclusive Partnership award, giving the district a strong start as the competition enters its most community-driven phase. The program is now eligible for significantly larger awards — including a $25,000 division finalist prize, a $250,000 division champion award, and ultimately the $1 million football field upgrade grand prize.
Community Support Now Determines How Far Florence Advances
To move forward, Florence needs widespread participation from fans, families, alumni, and neighboring schools. Each social media post on X or Instagram that includes #FN5GL, #Entry, and tags @TMobile and florence_henry_falconfb counts as an additional contest entry for the Falcons.
District officials say every post matters.
“We’ve already won some great prizes, but now we’re looking to win the whole dang thing,” the district shared. “If we make the top 40 finalists, that’s another $25,000. If we win our division, that’s $250,000. And if we take the grand prize — that’s a $1 million field upgrade for our kids and our community.”
The district also encouraged supporters to retweet on X, repost on Instagram, and help spread the word across the region. Florence hopes to rally not only its own fans but also neighboring schools, noting that a major field upgrade would benefit every team that plays in Florence.
New Signage Installed as Contest Momentum Builds
Visitors to the Florence football field may already notice new signage celebrating the Falcons’ selection as a prize winner. The early recognition places Florence among hundreds of small-town schools nationwide competing in the program’s third season.
About Friday Night 5G Lights
T‑Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights competition is designed to spotlight small-town high schools and strengthen community pride. The 2026 season includes more than $8.4 million in total prizes, a new divisional bracket format, and the return of the $1 million grand prize.
Key program highlights include:
· 1,000 schools winning $5,000 through weekly sweepstakes
· 40 division finalists earning $25,000 each
· 4 division champions winning $250,000, a Gronk Fitness gym, and a $5,000 student leadership award
· 1 grand prize winner receiving a $1 million football field transformation
Past winners include Inola High School (Oklahoma) and Dierks High School (Arkansas), both small communities that rallied nationwide support to secure their $1 million upgrades.
How Fans Can Help Florence Win
Supporters can boost Florence’s chances by:
· Tagging @TMobile, Florence School District, Henry School District, and florence_henry_falconfb
· Sharing or reposting official Falcons content
· Encouraging friends, family, and neighboring schools to participate
Public voting for finalists begins Oct. 8 and runs through Oct. 25, with additional voting rounds for division champions and the grand prize winner.
A Chance to Transform the Falcons’ Home Field
If Florence advances, the prize money could fund major upgrades to the football field — improvements the district says would benefit athletes, fans, and visiting teams alike.
“Hungry minds cannot learn, and empty stomachs should never stand in the way of a child’s future,” the district noted in a recent message thanking supporters. “Community partners and community spirit make all the difference.”
So far in 2026, the confirmed South Dakota schools that have already won are: Florence, Gettysburg, Lennox, and Jones County.
