The Booneville Bearcat football team is apparently destined to make a return to Class 4A for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
The Arkansas Activities Association earlier this week released classification numbers for the next two-year cycle and the Bearcats are the 36th largest school, of 48, in what was classified as 4A.
Two years ago the Bearcats were the smallest 4A school when the numbers were released but after non-public schools were placed, they were pushed back down into Class 3A.
That is unlikely this time as there are only six private school who will potentially affect a public school’s placement.
A move to Class 4A would end eight years of Class 3A participation, during which the Bearcats won the 2018 and 2023 state titles.
It is also a move back to a classification in which they won a title and one which most resembles the alignment of 2000 when that squad also won a title.
Bearcat athletic director Josh Walker, who was a member of the 2000 team and on the coaching staff of the 2013 team, said today the move, essentially, is what it is.
“We will play who we’ve got to play,” said Walker. “There’s not going to be a change in how we do things. Best is the standard.”
Because conference placements cannot be announced until after the completion of each sport it will be December until it becomes official but those in the vicinity also slated to compete in Class 4A are Lamar, Dover, Waldron, Mena, Pottsville, and Ozark.
Dardanelle appears destined for a move up to Class 5A and Greenwood appears destined to drop from 6A to 5A.
Classification numbers for other sports were also released with the Bearcat and Lady Bearcat programs remaining as a Class 3A member.
BEARCAT FOOTBALL LIKELY MOVING BACK TO CLASS 4A
