Jefferson Wins $5K and Chases a Huge Football Prize

Jefferson High School in Rockford is one step closer to making its dream of an on-campus football field a reality, and this JHS grad couldn't be happier to hear the news.

High School Football Memories

As a member of Jefferson High School's Class of 1997, I have two very specific memories when it comes to J-Hawk football: we weren't very good, (sorry, guys) and all our home football games were played across town at Auburn High School’s Wyeth Stadium.

If you wanted to watch the J-Hawks play football on a Friday night or you were a member of the Pom squad and attended every game like I was, you had to get in the car and drive across town.

As a student, and now an adult, this has always been completely ridiculous to me. Why have a football team if you can't play home games at your own school?!

So, I'm sure you can imagine my delight all these years later to see Jefferson High School is one step closer to its own stadium thanks to T-Mobile's Friday Night 5G Lights program.

Jefferson High School Wins $5,000

A few weeks ago, I was excited to see RPS 205 share this post on Facebook:

For those that don't know, T-Mobile's Friday Night 5G Lights initiative is all about celebrating high school football, school spirit and community pride across the country. Schools can compete for more than $8 million in prizes, including weekly $5,000 awards... and Jefferson High School just won one of those $5,000 awards!

A post in the Jefferson Athletics Facebook group says:

Jefferson High School has officially been named a T-Mobile Friday Night 5G Lights $5K Fridays WINNER!
BUT WE’RE NOT DONE YET.
Next up: Jefferson has a chance to be selected as one of 40 Division Finalists and win **$25,000** — and potentially keep advancing toward prizes of **$250,000 and even a $1 MILLION football field transformation!

Obviously, $5,000 isn't going to magically build Jefferson High School a football stadium, but the bigger dream is still there: one day having the J-Hawks play football right on their own campus.

Here's where you and I come in.

Help Jefferson High School Win the Friday Night 5G Lights Grand Prize

Now that Jefferson High School has been selected as a $5K Friday winner, they advance to the next round for the chance to be selected as one of 40 finalists who win $25,000! From there Jefferson has the chance to win $250,000, and the grand prize: a $1 MILLION football field transformation!

To help Jefferson advance in the contest, students, alumni, and Rockford area football fans need to show and share their J-Hawk pride on Instagram and X by tagging @TMobile, @Jefferson J-Hawks, #FN5GL, and #entry to increase Jefferson's chances to win big!