AUGUSTA COUNTY, VA (Rocktown Now) — Buffalo Gap High School has been named the East Division Champion in T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights competition and is now one step closer to a $1 million football-field upgrade.

In total, more than 2.3 million votes poured in from communities across the country, and Buffalo Gap finished the round with more than 195,000 votes.

As the Division Champion, they receive:

  • $250,000
  • A Gronk Fitness upgrade valued at $90,000
  • A $5,000 Student Leadership Award to recognize a student who consistently shows up for others and makes a lasting, positive impact on their school and community

Ryne Powell, Activities Director, said, “We believe the reason why we are where we are now is the community. We could not have gathered this much support without the backing of our community, our surrounding businesses, community organizations, local sheriff, and our local public school system and other surrounding school systems. Our gratitude for the overwhelming support we received cannot be expressed in words, except to say thank you.”

Salina San Miguel-Ramos, T-Mobile Market Director for Virginia, added, “Congratulations to Buffalo Gap High School! The excitement and creativity we’ve seen from them during this campaign has been amazing, and it’s been inspiring to see the community come together and support the school. We’re thrilled for them to win this money and have a chance at the $1 million grand prize.”

Now, Buffalo Gap High School needs community support once again. Votes have reset for the final round, and supporters can vote once daily from today through November 8 at FridayNight5GLights.com using a valid mobile phone number.

They are competing against three other Division winners:

  • Midwest Division: Menasha High School (Menasha, Wis.)
  • South Division: Covington High School (Covington, La.)  
  • West Division: Lakeside High School (Nine Mile Falls, Wash.)

The grand prize winner will be announced on November 12