Orangeburg County School District (OCSD) is proud to announce that Edisto High School has been selected as one of 1,000 high schools nationwide to receive $5,000 through T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights program. This national competition celebrates high school football and hometown pride in communities across America, with $8.4 million in prizes available this season. The Edisto Cougars will receive their award during half-time of tonight’s homecoming football game.
According to T-Mobile’s program playbook, 1,000 schools will receive $5,000, 40 Division Finalists will receive $25,000, four Division Champions will receive $250,000 and additional prizes, and one Grand Prize Winner will receive $1 million towards a transformational home football facilities upgrades. And, for Edisto and the Cordova Community, earning the initial $5,000 is only the beginning.
Next, the goal is for Edisto to become one of just 40 Division Finalists and receive $25,000, and a T-Mobile-hosted Friday Night 5G Lights celebration at an upcoming home football game or community event. From there, the finalists will participate in a bracket-style community voting competition from October 8 through October 25, with voting determining four Division Champions.
Edisto High School Athletic Director Michael Sutton said the school has already been working to generate as much community involvement as possible through social media, to get to the next level. “That’s what I’ve been working on, getting as many people to post as possible,” Sutton shared. “I’ve been trying to get people to post on Facebook and Instagram anything, and everything about Edisto,” said Sutton.
As part of this campaign, T-Mobile encourages schools to involve their entire communities, including students, teachers, parents, alumni, booster clubs, cheerleaders, bands, local businesses and other supporters. Schools are encouraged to share photos, videos and stories that demonstrate school pride, explaining why athletic upgrades are needed, and show the impact the investment could have on the community.
What’s exciting about this opportunity for Edisto is that an investment of that size would extend well beyond Friday nights. Improved athletic facilities will impact current student-athletes while strengthening the overall experience for future generations of Edisto students and families throughout the Cordova community. Edisto has an opportunity to write its own story, and OCSD is calling on students, employees, parents, alumni, local businesses and the entire Orangeburg County community to rally behind Edisto High School as it competes against schools from across the country.
Community members can help amplify Edisto's story by sharing school spirit and Edisto-related content on social media. T-Mobile's guidelines encourage supporters to tag the school's social media handle and @TMobile and include #FN5GL and #Entry. The program specifically encourages communities to use photos, videos and authentic stories to demonstrate what makes their school and Friday night experience special. If Edisto advances to the Division Finalist round, community voting begins October 8, 2026.
For Edisto High School, this competition represents more than an opportunity to win a national prize. It is an opportunity to showcase the pride of Cordova, celebrate the students and families who make Edisto special, and potentially bring a transformational investment back home to Orangeburg County. Voting kicks off soon, and we need everyone behind Edisto High School! Make sure you’re following Edisto High School Athletics on social media, along with the Orangeburg County School District pages, for the official announcement when voting begins. Once voting opens, vote once every day and share the competition across your social media pages to encourage your family, friends, alumni, and community members to do the same.
For additional information, please contact Taylor R. Johnson, Communications and Multi-Media Specialist, at taylor.johnson@ocsdsc.org or 839-253-2070.