Local Eagles Among 25 Schools Nationwide Competing for Grand Prize

GOLDSBORO, N.C. – Rosewood High School has been selected as one of 25 finalists nationwide in T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights competition, earning the school a $25,000 grant and putting them in the running for a $1 million stadium upgrade.

The nationwide competition drew more than 2,100 high schools from small towns across America – nearly 20% of all U.S. small-town high schools – to compete for the game-changing field upgrade program.

Community Celebration Planned

As part of their finalist recognition, Rosewood High School will host a special T-Mobile-sponsored home game celebration on Friday, October 17. The event will feature giveaways, fan gear, free concessions, and a halftime check presentation at “The Nest,” the school’s beloved stadium.

“Rosewood High School is very excited to be partnering with T-Mobile and to be a finalist in the Friday Night 5G Lights program! Our school and community are grateful for the opportunity and will benefit from it for years to come!” said Jason King, Athletic Director at Rosewood High School.

The Road to Victory

Friday nights in Rosewood have meant one thing for decades: gathering at “The Nest” to cheer on the Eagles. Built in the 1970s, the stadium now needs major upgrades to provide more seating, amenities, and facilities that reflect the energy and spirit of the school and community.

Rosewood joins an elite group of schools recognized for their creativity, school spirit, and stories about how the win would positively impact their communities. The school had already earned a $5,000 “5K Friday” award earlier in the season.

The Complete List of Top 25 Finalists

Rosewood High School joins an impressive group of schools from across the nation, each with their own compelling story of community spirit and need for facility upgrades:

Northeast:

• Dexter Regional High School (Dexter, Maine) – Tigers seeking safety improvements for weather-damaged field
• Mishawaka High School (Mishawaka, Indiana) – Historic Cavemen stadium needs accessibility upgrades
• Pleasant Valley High School (Brodheadsville, Pennsylvania) – Multi-sport Bears facility serving entire community
• Windham High School (Windham, New Hampshire) – Jaguars need lights for Friday night home games

Southeast:

• Dierks High School (Dierks, Arkansas) – Outlaws haven’t seen stadium upgrades in over 20 years
• Escambia High School (Pensacola, Florida) – Title I Gators seeking to restore iconic facilities
• Rosewood High School (Goldsboro, North Carolina) – Eagles’ “Nest” built in 1970s needs modernization
• River Oaks High School (Monroe, Louisiana) – Mustangs dealing with flood damage and safety hazards
• Springwood School (Lanett, Alabama) – Wildcats in town of 7,000 playing with heart and resilience

Midwest:

• Harrisonville High School (Harrisonville, Missouri) – Memorial Stadium honoring WWII heroes
• Lebanon High School (Lebanon, Oregon) – Warriors persevering through economic challenges since 1950s
• Madison County High School (Madison, Virginia) – Mountaineers’ field built by local farmers needs revitalization
• National Trail High School (New Paris, Ohio) – Blazers’ former cornfield stadium lacks proper irrigation
• New Auburn High School (New Auburn, Wisconsin) – Trojans serving town of just 562 people
• Newton High School (Newton, Iowa) – Cardinals experiencing football resurgence despite financial hardship
• Plattsmouth High School (Plattsmouth, Nebraska) – Blue Devils at river junction with big dreams, limited resources
• Princeville High School (Princeville, Illinois) – Princes reaching playoffs 8 of last 10 seasons
• Royalton High School (Royalton, Minnesota) – Royals honoring late coach Nick Lanners’ legacy

West:

• Exeter Union High School (Exeter, California) – Century-old Monarchs stadium serving multiple sports and events
• La Quinta High School (La Quinta, California) – Blackhawks known for unmatched energy and “Birdcage” student section
• Lakeland High School (Rathdrum, Idaho) – Hawks struggling with underfunded state athletics
• Loveland High School (Loveland, Colorado) – Championship Red Wolves still without bleachers or lights
• South Kitsap High School (Port Orchard, Washington) – Wolves honoring 1994 state championship legacy
• Stockdale High School (Stockdale, Texas) – State-level Brahmas with facilities that haven’t kept pace
• Sunray High School (Sunray, Texas) – Bobcats recovering from tragedy and storm damage

Celebrity Endorsements

The competition has garnered support from NFL stars with small-town roots. Three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes, who grew up in a small Texas town, said, “I know firsthand how much high school football means to families and entire communities. These finalists represent everything that makes the game special.”

Four-time Super Bowl champion Rob “Gronk” Gronkowski added, “Friday nights in small-town America are pure magic with the energy, the pride and the tradition that make it so electric.”

Grand Prize Package

The ultimate winner will receive an impressive package worth over $1 million, including:

• A complete $1 million field upgrade
• A renovated weight room from Gronk Fitness
• Consultation with stadium experience experts
• An all-expenses-paid trip to the SEC Championship Game for 16 school representatives
• A tailgate party revealing the finalized upgrades in 2026

How to Support Rosewood

Community members can help Rosewood High School win the grand prize by voting daily at FridayNight5GLights.com. Voting runs from September 25 through October 24, with anyone holding a valid email address able to cast one vote per day.

Finalists can also earn extra points through weekly “Spirit Week Assignments” on social media, including creating custom banners and sporting T-Mobile’s signature magenta color.

More than 75 schools across North Carolina entered the competition, making Rosewood’s selection as a finalist a significant achievement for the small community.

About Friday Night 5G Lights

T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights program celebrates the power of high school football to bring communities together. Beyond the main competition, the program distributed $2.25 million through “5K Fridays” giveaways, with 450 additional schools receiving $5,000 each for various school projects.

“We heard inspiring stories from schools all across the country since kicking off the competition over two months ago, and the passion is just incredible,” said Jon Freier, President of T-Mobile Consumer Group. “It’s clear these schools are on a major mission not only to chase the big win but to also build pride in their communities.”

The grand prize winner will be announced on October 30. Weekly rankings are posted on the competition website so communities can track their progress and rally additional support.

For more information about the competition and to vote for Rosewood High School, visit FridayNight5GLights.com.