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PREP RALLY: CLASS 6A | 8.21.2022 18 SHINE ON Loaded 6A-West a challenge for all LELAND BARCLAY SPECIAL TO THE NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE The road to Little Rock and War Memorial Stadium for the state championship game just got a lot rougher and bumpier in the 6A-West. The new Classification and Competitive Equity Factor passed last year by the Arkansas Activities Association, which uses a points system to determine if private schools are determined to be dominant, elevated Pulaski Academy and Little Rock Christian to Class 6A and into the 6A-West. Greenbrier was also elevated due to increased enrollment to Class 6A and placed in the 6A-West. The addition of those three schools as well in what is now a nine-team alignment makes for not only a tougher but also longer grind. "I think the AAA calls it competitive equity, but I'm not sure they've made it competitive," Greenwood coach Chris Young said. "It seems like they stuck them all in our conference, but we're excited. It's a challenge. We like playing great football teams and they're going to get that opportunity this year." Pulaski Academy has won 10 state championships in all, including seven of the last eight in Class 5A. Little Rock Christian won the state championship four years ago and has played in three championship games in the last five years. Greenbrier also makes the move up and lost to Pulaski Academy in the semifinals See CHALLENGE, Page 20 BRYCE PERKINS SCHOOL Van Buren POSITION Quarterback CLASS Junior HEIGHT 6-2 WEIGHT 175 TWITTER HANDLE @BrycePerkins THE DIGITS Perkins completed 59- of-97 passes for 1,115 yards and 12 touchdowns while also rushing for 71 yards and three touchdowns before suffering a season-ending injury in the first quarter of the fifth game of the season against Russellville. FAVORITE CLASS Chemistry FAVORITE PREGAME MEAL Slim's Chicken I LISTEN TO Lil Durk I BINGE WATCH Stranger Things I'M TERRIFIED OF Drowning, the dark and heights I WOULD NEVER, EVER Lose to Alma I DRIVE a Ford Explorer MY HERO IS My mom WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT FOOTBALL IS the team and the environment IN 10 YEARS I WILL be coaching FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL IS HERE! IT'S TIME TO PLAY BALL! GOOD LUCK THIS YEAR! WWW.LUNDSTRUM4ARKANSAS.COM PAID FOR BY ROBIN LUNDSTRUM FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE. Bryce Perkins | Van Buren File Photo