Like most longtime rivals, Pulaski Academy and Little Rock Christian have more in common than they’d probably care to admit.

Both Little Rock-based private schools have carved out a reputation for full-throttle offenses, talent and state title contention for well over a decade. But a wild-card factor was introduced a year ago when both schools were bumped up to Class 7A, the state’s largest classification.

Neither school has enrollment numbers that would reflect 7A membership, but each were moved up due to the Arkansas Activities Association competitive equity factor.

Now, as each team winds up the regular season, both have had moments of being worn down by larger opposition, but also several victories that suggest they can hold their own in a new conference. It’s fitting, then, that the Bruins and Warriors face each other Friday at Pulaski Academy with third place in the 7A-Central on the line and expectations to continue their histories of deep postseason runs.

“We knew what our schedule entailed, we knew these teams were fast and physical,” first-year Little Rock Christian Coach Dustin Grimmett said. “We knew what we were getting into.”

Pulaski Academy Coach Anthony Lucas was blunt in his assessment.

“We knew depth would be a problem,” Lucas said. “But we didn’t tell our kids that.”

The result has been very similar seasons for both programs. Each built a nonconference schedule featuring bigger, deeper teams, and each can point to victories that prove they belong.

For Little Rock Christian, that meant victories over El Dorado and West Memphis and a 44-40 loss to Shiloh Christian, all Class 6A schools. Grimmett said those games helped the Warriors get ready for what would be a 28-24 victory over Cabot to start the 7A-Central schedule.

“Those early games, a lot of that was just getting these guys experience,” Grimmett said. “We wanted to play an athletic team like El Dorado, then you’ve got Shiloh, a high-executing team.”

The Bruins got the same experience, most notably knocking off Louisiana powerhouse West Monroe, which annually fields one of the biggest rosters in the state.

“No doubt,” said Lucas, who grew up in Tallulah, La., and played for now-closed McCall High School. “In Louisiana, it was always West Monroe this, West Monroe that.”

Both teams suffered losses to Conway and Bryant, ending their hopes of contending for a conference title in their first season.

“Conway and Bryant set the standard for what elite is,” Grimmett said.

Lucas added, “The road to the state title goes through Conway and Bryant.”

The familiarity between the Bruins and Warriors extends to their coaching staffs, as both coaches are longtime assistants who were promoted into the head coaching role. Lucas said that Grimmett, most recently the Warriors’ defensive coordinator, has been a thorn in his side for a while.

“He does a great job,” Lucas said. “A couple of years ago, he put in a specific defense just for us. Last year, they beat us pretty bad (55-13).”

Grimmett has spent years shouldering the load of preparing for Pulaski Academy’s signature offense, known for quick tempo, big passing numbers and constant onside kicks. But the Bruins have kept to the same brand defensively as well, typically favoring a high-pressure, blitz-heavy attack.

“They play differently than what we’re used to,” Grimmett said. “They put you in a lot of one-on-one situations.”

So while Grimmett has been scheming to slow down the Bruins’ offense, led this year by senior quarterback Brandon Cobb, he said the key could lay with his offensive line. It’s a mixed group that includes sophomores Sheriff Wolfe, Skeet Boshears and DJ Williams, the latter of whom also plays on the defensive line. There is also senior center Maddux Acri to round out the group, and Grimmett said his sophomores all logged plenty of varsity snaps as freshmen.

Still, it’s hard to beat the Bruins, who feature 22 seniors, on experience.

“We have a mixture,” Grimmett said. “We’re going to have to be extremely disciplined and better than we’ve been, honestly.”

Lucas isn’t ready to claim an advantage with all the seniors, saying the Bruins are fighting problems with turnovers and penalties on the offensive side.

Regardless of the result, both teams will be advancing to the 7A playoffs and neither is looking to concede anything to Bryant or Conway if a rematch looms. But after a season of changes and new experiences, both coaches seem energized to face a familiar opponent.

“When PA plays Little Rock Christian, it’s always a fight,” Lucas said. “These kids know what time it is.”