Arkansas high school football could see a major shift if Proposal 13 is approved by the Arkansas Activities Association (AAA). The measure seeks to address competitive equity by allowing schools that perform poorly in the playoffs to move down a classification, a change that could affect both public and private programs across the state.
Proposal Details
Under the current Competitive Equity Factor, schools earn points based on recent playoff performance, with a minimum of six points over two seasons required to advance. The new proposal would invert this logic for certain non‑public institutions, giving them the option to drop a division when their point total falls below a threshold.
Three private schools—Little Rock Christian, Pulaski Academy and Shiloh Christian—are directly impacted. Little Rock Christian and Pulaski Academy have already risen to Class 7A after spending years in Class 5A and 6A, while Shiloh Christian has climbed multiple times due to the existing equity calculations.
Reactions from the Sideline
Shiloh Christian Coach Tucker Barnard said the team will simply play wherever it is placed and focus on building a schedule that suits the players, emphasizing that competitive balance is more important than the label of a division.
Pulaski Academy Coach Mark Kelley acknowledged the difficulty of competing in Class 7A, noting the size disparity between larger programs and his own, and stressed the importance of staying healthy and competitive regardless of the classification.
The AAA Board of Directors voted 16‑0 to recommend the proposal, but the Arkansas Football Coaches Association has come out in opposition, citing concerns over scheduling logistics and the potential strain on smaller programs.
If the measure passes, six schools would see their conference alignments rearranged for the 2027 season, prompting a reshuffling of matchups and travel plans that could affect regional rivalries and postseason seeding.
The upcoming vote will determine whether Arkansas adopts a more fluid classification system, a move that could set a precedent for how competitive balance is managed across state sports.