Northeastern covets T-Mobile prize

Another local high school was named a winner in T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights program. For a second year in a row, Northeastern scored the $5,000 prize in the national contest built around high school football and community pride. 

The Knights join the Richmond Red Devils at a chance to become division finalists and win $25,000 and a T-Mobile Home Game Celebration. Out of 40 finalists, four will be voted as division champions and win $250,000. Finally, a grand prize winner earns a full football field renovation valued at $1 million.

“We are very fortunate to have won during this initial round of schools,” said Northeastern High School Athletic Director Ryan Halloran in an email. “Everyone is excited and very appreciative.”

Halloran said the money will go toward a number of items, including helmets, shoulder pads, footballs and mats to safely walk across the track.

To qualify for the next phase, Halloran said students, teachers, parents and alumni are encouraged to campaign on social media. Posts on Instagram and X can show one’s school spirit, explain why they deserve a football field upgrade and how the prize could impact the community. Each post should tag @go_nws_knights, @TMobile and use the hashtags #FN5GL and #Entry.

In its third season, Friday Night 5G Lights has awarded 30 Indiana schools the initial prize, and it will distribute more than $8.4 million to high school towns with under 150,000 people nationwide. The final batch of winners were selected last week and Division Finalists will be announced on Oct. 8. 

Public voting for the top four runs from Oct. 8 to Oct. 25, with each person casting one vote per day. The four Division Champions will receive a Gronk Fitness gym and a $5,000 student leadership award in addition to the cash prize. The grand prize winner will be revealed on Nov. 12. 

Supporters can register their votes at t-mobile.com/brand/friday-night-5g-lights.

The Knights followed this win with Homecoming and a school dance on September 19, crowning seniors Trent Deloney and Bailey White as king and queen. Senior court included Gavin Platt, Mackenzie Johnson, Quanell Denton, Hailey Elsrod, Gavin Harrison and Alyssa Boggs. Underclassmen prince and princess were freshmen Caleb Byrum and Makenna Burdette, sophomores Dalton Houser and Raynee McDonnell, and juniors Zach Wright and Madilyn Stroh.