AAA Releases 2026–2028 High School Football Classifications and Alignments

The Arkansas Activities Association released the classifications and conference alignments for the 2026–2028 football cycle on Thursday, setting the landscape for high school football across the state for the next three seasons.

One of the notable changes comes in the 7-4A conference, which will feature a reshuffled lineup following the departure of Haskell Harmony Grove and Bauxite, both of which will move to the 2-4A conference. The updated 7-4A conference will consist of Arkadelphia, Ashdown, Fouke, Fountain Lake, Genoa Central, Hope, Malvern and Nashville.

In Class 2A, the 3-2A conference will remain largely intact, with one exception. Lafayette County will transition out of the conference to compete in 8-Man football. The remaining members of the 3-2A conference will be Dierks, Foreman, Gurdon, Junction City, Mineral Springs, Murfreesboro and Spring Hill.

The 7-3A conference will include Bismarck, Camden Harmony Grove, Centerpoint, Cossatot River, Horatio, Parkers Chapel, Prescott and Smackover, creating a competitive mix of established programs and emerging contenders.

At the 8-Man level, the South conference will feature Blevins, Dermott, Friendship Aspire, Hermitage, Lafayette County, Strong and Woodlawn.

In Class 5A, the South conference alignment will bring together Arkansas High, Camden Fairview, De Queen, Hot Springs, Hot Springs Lakeside, Magnolia, Pine Bluff and White Hall, setting up several high-profile matchups throughout the cycle.

The new alignments will take effect beginning with the 2026 football season and remain in place through 2028, providing schools clarity as they plan schedules, travel and long-term program development.