It’s the last week to vote for Madison County High School to win $1 million.
The school is already $35,000 richer thanks to the T-Mobile hosted Friday Night 5G Lights contest. The contest is the latest way T-Mobile is supporting small communities through the opportunity to win money for schools. From July 17 through Sept. 12, more than 2,100 high schools across the nation applied to be part of the competition with 450 being chosen as winners of $5K Fridays over eight weeks. Madison was selected in week six. On Sept. 25, it was revealed Madison was one of the top 25 schools in the competition, winning an additional $25,000 and a home game celebration, plus the chance to be the top school and win a $1 million field upgrade, a renovated weight room from Gronk Fitness, a consultation with stadium experience experts, an all-expenses-paid trip to the SEC Championship for 16 school representatives and a 2026 tailgate party revealing the upgrades. One finalist will also be chosen by T-Mobile employees as the T-Mobile Fan Favorite Award, winning an additional $25,000.
“This contest is a great testament to our school spirit and our community support,” athletic director Tim Tryon said. “It’s the best showcase of Madison County–who we are, where we’ve been and where we’re going to go in the future.”
The T-Mobile hosted game took place Friday, which was also homecoming. Although the Mountaineers lost, coach Larry Helmick said on this week’s Mountaineer Podcast that it was one of the most electric games he’s ever experienced.
“I’ve been doing this for 15 years now and the atmosphere Friday was one of the best I’ve been a part of,” he said. “The kids coming out of the locker room and out of the helmet, the fireworks. It was one of the best experiences I’ve had as a coach.”
T-Mobile gave free entry to the first 100 guests and had its mobile truck on-site with games and giveaways.
Madison still needs votes to get to the top spot in the contest. Folks can vote once per day, every day through Oct. 24. Schools also must complete weekly spirit challenges to earn bonus points. The winner will be announced Oct. 30. To vote, visit https://www.t-mobile.com/brand/friday-night-5g-lights/j.
As of Wednesday, Madison is ranked 19 out of 25 with 79,934 votes, up from 57,092 last week. Rankings are updated Monday through Friday with votes from the weekly social challenges added every Friday.
