Dolphins donate lighting system to new South Plantation High

PLANTATION — South Plantation is getting a new state-of-the-art lighting system installed on its football field.

The Miami Dolphins, along with power management company Eaton, surprised the Paladins last Wednesday at the school, letting them know they won their “Light Like the Pros” initiative. South Plant will receive an Ephesus LED sports lighting and control system valued at more than $100,000.

“It’s awesome. It’s great for the school, great for the program,” South Plantation coach Dominic Anderson said. “We’ve got a new weight room coming, two new uniforms and now new lights. It’s going to be the envy of Broward County.

“South Plantation is on the rise for sure.”

South Plant won an essay contest in which the school’s entry demonstrated a need for new lights due to “numerous limitations of its current system as well as an enthusiastic community that supports both athletics and academics,” according to a Dolphins press release. Former Dolphins players Troy Drayton and Twan Russell were on hand with Dolphins mascot T.D. to surprise the school.

Eaton president Mike Lorenz compared the new system to that of Hard Rock Stadium and said the project will be complete in time for the start of the upcoming fall sports season.

“It’s going to be a big bang to my senior year,” said junior Paladins offensive lineman Jonathan Weaver as T.D. swooped in for a hug and video bomb of his interview. “We just want to have a good football team, and we’re trying to be really serious about football.”

The Paladins went 4-6 last fall in Anderson’s second season at the helm.

Their field also hosts home games for Stranahan. In addition to football, the field is used for soccer and lacrosse games.

dfurones@ sunsentinel.com or Twitter @DavidFurones_