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PREP RALLY: CLASS 6A | 8.20.2023 18 https://www.firstparis.net/ 1-888-780-8391 SHINE ON 6A-West Conference among state's best LELAND BARCLAY SPECIAL TO NWA DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE FORT SMITH — e 6A-West was the best conference in the state in 2022 and likely will be again in 2023. e conference's fourth through sixth seeded teams swept the first round over the 6A-East with Russellville, Mountain Home, Lake Hamilton and Little Rock Christian winning by an average of 34-16 and only Russellville's 30-26 win over West Memphis, the No. 3 seed from the 6A-East, being the only close game. Pulaski Academy and Greenwood, the top two seeds in the 6A-West, played for the Class 6A state championship aer beating the top two seeds from the 6A-East in the semifinals. "Top to bottom, it is so much better," Greenwood coach Chris Young said. "ere are four outstanding teams, but week in and week out the teams top to bottom is comparable to any conference in the state." Expect more of the same in 2023. "From top to bottom, it's really good, and I think most of the teams in our conference are going to be better than they were last year, especially at the top," Young said. "Little Rock Christian has talent coming back and is very well coached. PA has a ton of kids back, well coached and has won a state championship the last four years. I think we're going to be much improved. We were in the finals." e 6A-East may also be better as well with Benton featuring the best running back certainly in Class 6A and one of the best in the state in Braylen Russell as well as a returning quarterback in Cline Hooten. West Memphis quarterback Keland Mills will be among the best in the state. Little Rock Catholic receiver Brooks Ward will also be among the best in the state at his position. "Class 6A is going to be very good, and it starts with our conference," Young said. "But you look at the other side with Benton, West Memphis and El Dorado. ere's going to be a lot of fun Friday nights in 6A." e Classificiation and Competitive Equity Factor made an immediate impact in the 6A-West with Pulaski Academy and Little Rock Christian elevated from Class 5A. Pulaski Academy lost at L.J. ROBINS SCHOOL Greenwood POSITION Wide Receiver CLASS Senior HEIGHT 5-11 WEIGHT 165 TWITTER HANDLE @Lj_robins THE DIGITS Robins was one of the top receivers in the state last year as a junior when he caught 85 passes for 1,051 yards and 13 touchdowns. … He also returned 11 kickoffs for 260 yards and 8 punts for 133 yards. … He was also selected Class 6A All-State last year. FAVORITE CLASS Coach Young's teacher assistant FAVORITE PRE-GAME MEAL Too nervous to eat I LISTEN TO NBA Young Boy, Lil Baby, Lil Durk I BINGE WATCH "Avatar" I'M TERRIFIED OF Career-ending injury I WOULD NEVER, EVER dishonor my family I DRIVE 2009 Honda Acord with 265,000 miles and the check engine light isn't even on but the air conditioner is out MY HERO IS my Dad, Luke, the most selfless person I know WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT FOOTBALL IS the family, the brotherhood, the team meetings IN 10 YEARS I WILL be a football coach at Greenwood after college education Peyton Presson | Greenwood File Photo See Best, Page 21