Four schools in the ArkLaTex region are each $5,000 richer after being selected as local recipients in T‑Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights contest. The grants, announced in late August, aim to ease the financial strain of running high‑school football programs, a sport that has become increasingly expensive for families and schools alike.
Schools named as finalists
Airline High School in Bossier City was among the first schools named as a finalist. The other local recipients include Haughton High School, Plain Dealing High School, and Glenbrook School in Minden, La. Each school will use the money to cover essential football expenses such as equipment, field maintenance, and upgrades to their fieldhouses.
Glenbrook’s outlook
Glenbrook, a smaller charter school, highlighted how the $5,000 will bridge gaps in its football budget. Athletic director James Thurman explained, “With everything going up pricewise over the last few years, it’s really a blessing to get a little money to help kind of offset some of the costs because it is a very expensive sport.” He estimates the program costs between $40,000 and $50,000 annually.
Glenbrook is also still in the running for larger prize levels—$25,000, $250,000, and the ultimate $1 million. Thurman urged the community to share the school’s story on social media and cast votes at FridayNight5GLights.com. “We’re still hoping that our community gets behind us, shares those things and gets our name out there, and maybe we can have a chance to win that next prize level,” he said.
Impact on local football
All four schools hope the additional funding will strengthen their programs and attract more student‑athletes. Glenbrook, for example, is preparing to begin a 10‑week season next week against Winnfield, looking to improve on last year’s 3‑6 overall record and 2‑5 district record.
Beyond the immediate financial relief, the contest underscores the importance of community support for high‑school athletics. In many ArkLaTex towns, football remains a central gathering point for families, fostering teamwork, discipline, and local pride.
How to vote
Residents can support their favorite school by voting online. The contest allows multiple votes per person, and each school’s supporters are encouraged to spread the word through social media, local churches, and community groups. Detailed voting instructions are available on the contest website.
As the season approaches, the $5,000 grants provide a timely boost, ensuring that these schools can field competitive teams while keeping costs manageable for parents and school budgets.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
