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In October, much of the Arkansas high school sports community watched a national contest with a very local heartbeat. The T-Mobile Friday Night 5G Lights campaign received over 8 million votes nationwide. When the final tally came on Oct. 30, Dierks High School led with 1,988,665 votes, surpassing Lebanon, Oregon, which had 1,457,848. For a Howard County town with fewer than 900 residents, it was the kind of ending you see in a sports movie. For Arkansas, it was a demonstration of what can happen when small towns come together.
For years, the Dierks Outlaws booster club has been working on essential facility upgrades. Like many districts, the daily demands of classrooms and maintenance often take priority, putting major projects on hold. Earlier this summer, booster mom Krystal Greene saw a segment on Good Morning America about the inaugural T-Mobile Friday Night 5G Lights program and thought, “Why not us?”
There was skepticism. A national vote can seem unwinnable for a 2A school. However, Greene and the booster officers persisted. If they were going to apply, they would tell the Outlaw story well. A volunteer film crew arrived in July. Players, coaches, administrators, parents, and community members showed up to capture what football means in Dierks and what a renovation could unlock for the next generation.
The application cleared the first hurdle for a $5,000 award, and T-Mobile attended a campus pep rally, receiving a $25,000 finalist check as one of the top 25 schools in the country. The goal suddenly felt bigger than just another fundraiser and one smallish community – it was time to power up for Dierks!
When it Became More Than Just a Check
Once voting began, Dierks got to work. Students organized theme days, created engaging reels, and even encouraged elementary classes to create “why it matters” videos. The administration opened doors to share the story quickly and clearly. The booster club and alumni shared the link on social media. And then Arkansas did what Arkansas does.
Rival schools encouraged their home crowds to scan a QR code at halftime and vote for Dierks. Scoreboards showed reminders, and coaches across the state and nationwide shared posts from their official team accounts. The support went beyond Arkansas, with votes coming from all 50 states.
“It was humbling to see other programs cheer us on,” head coach Paul Ernest said. “In small-town Arkansas, people are used to filling the gap. This time, the gap was bigger than us, and the whole state stepped in.”
T-Mobile describes the program as a celebration of community connection and the energy that Friday night lights inspire. The Outlaws proved the point. More than 2,100 schools participated, with 450 receiving $5,000 each. Twenty-five finalists received $25,000, and one school won the grand prize package valued at $1 million.
This time, the outlaws won!
What was the grand prize? A home-field upgrade, a Gronk Fitness weight room, a 2026 tailgate experience, and a trip to the SEC Championship. As one T-Mobile leader said, “This is what next-level connection looks like when everyone pulls for something bigger than themselves.”
The Outlaw Legacy
Winning a vote is one thing. What it fosters within the program may be even more significant. Players practiced public speaking in media interviews, helped manage social channels, and carried themselves as representatives of their town. Coach Ernest remembers last year’s roadside wildfire between Dierks and Nashville, when teenagers left practice to haul water and move sandbags to protect neighbors’ homes. That “fill the gap” instinct appeared again, just on a different stage.
Community support extended well beyond county borders. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Attorney General Tim Griffin, former Razorback Matt Jones, Darren McFadden, Jeff Foxworthy, Larry the Cable Guy, NASCAR driver Austin Dillon, and even Patrick Mahomes rallied behind Dierks’ effort. Elementary students wore magenta, created mannequin-challenge videos, and shared with America why winning mattered to them.
One Outlaw senior summed up the team’s attitude: “This field might not be for us, but it will be for our little brothers and sisters.”
What is Next?
Nov. 14 will be a celebration day in Dierks. T-Mobile executives, likely some sports celebrities, Outlaw alumni and community members will gather to recognize the win and outline initial steps. Facility consultants and district leaders will start touring the site, prioritizing tasks and setting a timeline.
There is much to discuss. The natural-grass field is one of the oldest in the state and is located in a drainage-prone area, leading to recurring issues. Entryways and restrooms date back to the early 2000s, with a concession stand built in the 1960s. The new collaboration will outline clear phases to ensure the upgrades preserve tradition and support future athletes. Coach Ernest has a straightforward goal for the process: to keep the spirit of Outlaw football alive, where alumni remember it, and to make it a place current students are proud to run out of every Friday night.
In the short term, don’t expect the football focus to lessen. The Outlaws still have upcoming games and a playoff spot within reach. The celebration will happen; the effort continues.
It’s Attainable
This victory began with a mom who refused to give up on her town, a booster club committed to tackling challenging tasks effectively and a school administration that motivated students to lead. It expanded when Arkansas noticed, shared a link, scanned a code and said, “Let’s help them finish.” The final count resulted in Dierks High School receiving a stadium plan, a modern weight room, a tailgate trip, and a ticket to the SEC title game. More importantly, it revealed who we are as a state.
Coach Ernest often reminds his players to stay focused and do their part to close the gap. Dierks did exactly that, and Arkansas finished it with them. Congratulations, Outlaws. Your win is a major success for the Natural State, and we’re cheering for what’s next.
Images throughout the article were used with permission from Dierks Athletics.
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