The Arkansas Activities Association has released the conference and regional pairings for the 2024-2026 cycle.
Let’s start with a look at Class 1A. The new look 1A-3 will have eight schools. Current members Armorel, Crowley’s Ridge Academy, Hillcrest, Marked Tree, Maynard and Ridgefield Christian will be joined by Earle which drops down from Class 2A and KIPP Blytheville. Current member Mammoth Spring moves to the 2A-2. For postseason play, 2A Region 2 will pit the 2A-2 and the 2A-3 against one another.
In Class 2A the 2A-3 will have nine schools. Current members Bay, Buffalo Island Central, Cross County, East Poinsett County, Marmaduke and Rector will be joined by Corning and Piggott who move down from Class 3A. Current member Earle moves to the 1A-3 for the next cycle.
For postseason play the 2A Region 2 will pit the 2A-2 against the 2A-3.
One of the biggest changes for the upcoming cycle is the 3A-3 which will have current members Harrisburg, Manila, Osceola and Rivercrest. They will be joined by former conference foes Newport, Hoxie and Walnut Ridge to form a seven-team conference for the 2024-2026 cycle. Current members Corning and Piggott move down to Class 2A next cycle and Gosnell moves to the 4A-3. For postseason play the 3A-2 and 3A-3 will face off.
The 4A-3 will be a six-team conference in the next cycle as current members Blytheville, Brookland, Highland, Pocahontas and Westside will be joined by Gosnell. Current members Forrest City, Trumann and Southside Charter will move to the 4A-6.
For postseason play Region 2 will pit the 4A-3 and 4A-6.