DIERKS, AR (KTAL/KMSS) – For the fifth year in a row, T-Mobile is offering up $1 million to small-town football programs to put towards improving their facilities.

This year over 2,000 schools across the nation applied for the contest. It's now narrowed down to the top-25, with Dierks being the last Ark-La-Tex school in the running.

"In a small community, a lot of your identity in the school building and in the community, your billboard, so to speak, is your football program," head coach Paul Ernest said.

Dierks football is a lifeline to the community.

"It's always been a big part of my life growing up, about this time of year, outlaw games are the center of everything," senior Mason Smith said.

Friday nights provide entertainment, but football and other school programs prioritize bui

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