Four Local High Schools Win $5,000, Could Compete For $1 Million Prize

JOHNSTON COUNTY – Four Johnston County high schools have each won $5,000 and remain in the running for substantially larger prizes, including a $1 million football field upgrade.

West Johnston High School, Cleveland High School, South Johnston High School and Smithfield-Selma High School were selected among the first round of winners in T-Mobile’s 2026 Friday Night 5G Lights program.

The $5,000 awards can be used by the schools for needs such as football helmets, uniforms, weight room equipment, travel expenses or other improvements.

All four schools also remain eligible to advance in the national competition, where additional prizes ranging from $25,000 to a $1 million football field renovation will be awarded.

The program is aimed at high schools in smaller communities, particularly places where high school football remains a major part of community life.

More than $8.4 million in prizes are scheduled to be awarded nationwide during this year’s competition.

A total of 1,000 schools will receive $5,000 through weekly drawings. From the larger field of applicants, 40 schools will eventually be selected as regional finalists, with each receiving $25,000 and advancing into a divisional competition.

Four division champions will then receive $250,000 each, along with additional prizes, before competing for the $1 million grand prize.

Public voting for the regional finalists is scheduled for Oct. 8-25, with voters allowed to cast one vote per day. Voting among the final four schools will take place Oct. 29 through Nov. 8.

The national winner is scheduled to be announced Nov. 12.

Johnston County’s four winners were part of a large group of North Carolina schools selected during the first week of the competition.

Other eastern and central North Carolina recipients include Southern Wayne and Spring Creek high schools in Wayne County, Seaforth High School in Chatham County, Wake Forest High School in Wake County, Hoke County High School and Saint Pauls High School.

North Carolina schools have previously advanced deep into the national competition.

Nearby Rosewood High School in Wayne County was named a Top 25 finalist last year and received $25,000. Salisbury High School was a Top 16 finalist in 2024 and also received $25,000.

The competition began in 2024. Inola High School in Oklahoma won the inaugural $1 million field upgrade. Dierks High School in Arkansas captured the grand prize in 2025.

Schools located in communities with populations below 150,000 are eligible to participate. Applications for the 2026 competition remain open through Sept. 18.