Donezo

That actually turned out a lot better than I expected. There's probably some rating inflation going on here (which is par for the course in region 3 really) but I suppose it's all for the best.

I too think it will be the 2006 four once more, but I think Coppell is the most vulnerable to a Lake Highlands/Sachse upset. They didn't compete this past weekend though, so they've probably cleaned up since Arlington. I'm a bit wary of this area though. Last time there were barely enough bands to advance four and that was with every single band in Region Three making a one. I just don't think that's going to happen again. It will be close.

I haven't seen Argyle, but Canton has a really good package this year. If they clean up their act visually I think this could be state title number four.

People made the same kind of jokes when Faust was at Mesquite High School! Apparently the curse followed him to Austin.

So how long had it been since Westfield last missed finals at a BOA event? It's got to be at least 15 years! I still can't wrap my ahead around them not making it on Saturday.

Judges! Chris Anderson - Texas Tech University Bob Blanton - Klein ISD Dick Clardy - Formerly of Klein High School Scott Coulson - Poteet High School Greg Dick - Friendswood High School (also judging State Marching Contest)

I would probably put New Braunfels in that potential finalist group too, but otherwise I agree. Every band that advances from this area is a legitimate state finals threat. I wouldn't even rule out the possibility of all Area D advancers making finals.

It's done by rank points I believe. I should know something fairly soon. A Marcus sweep would not surprise me.

Definitely surprised by Flower Mound. It will be interesting to see how they factor into the Area B competition.

Finals Results! 1. Marcus 2. Poteet 3. Keller 4. Sachse 5. Lake Highlands 6. McKinney Boyd 7. Wylie 8. McKinney 9. Sherman 10. Naaman Forest Outstanding Musical Performance: Marcus Outstanding Visual Performance: Marcus

Go Friendswood and Hendrickson!! All the 4A success at BOA this year is making me incredibly happy.

Oh wow. I totally remember that show. With the purple monsters and the doors? The little music nerd in me was so happy that you guys busted out October and then the next year it seemed like everyone was playing it!

Exactly. At the '04 contest, the percussion and guard judges nailed Duncanville pretty hard. Just one first place vote in marching pushed Poteet up over the top as a result.

Well the last time Poteet went up against the reigning 5A state champ at this contest, they wound up winning (over Duncanville in 2004.) This contest format has historically favored them for some reason. But yeah, not likely to happen this time.

Speaking of Allen, I've always thought they'd be unbeatable if they had a "varsity" marching band with only the top three concert bands or so. This would allow them to march more competitive music and drill. They do well enough as it is essentially competing a college band half-time show, but that program has potential to be so much more. I competed in the same region as those kids and I know they have a phenomenal talent pool. However, the school district would probably revolt if they ever changed.

I'm really considering driving up to Plano this weekend so I can support the alma mater and see Marcus at the same time. It will be really interesting to see how all of this shakes out. I will be totally shocked if Marcus doesn't walk away with this, but after that things get a little fuzzy. Here's what I'm kind of thinking: 1. Marcus 2-6: (alpha order) Keller Lake Highlands Poteet Sachse Wylie 7-10: (alpha order) McKinney Boyd Naaman Forest Rockwall Heath Sherman With Mesquite as a possible spoiler to the last four. I could see Poteet and Keller rounding out the top three in prelims because of performance time, but that 2-6 group is probably going to be really close and could shuffle around a lot from prelims to finals.

Finally figured out what Poteet is playing. Pirates Unleashed: The Music of Frank Ticheli I. Blue Shades II. Sanctuary III. Apollo Unleashed

I don't think anyone's posted results here yet. Would you care to enlighten us?

1. Rowlett - I 2. Poteet - I 3. Coppell - I 4. Allen - I 5. Plano - I 6. Plano West - I 7. Forney - I 8. Canton - I 9. North Mesquite - I 10. Rockwall Heath - I 11. J. J. Pearce - I 12. Sherman - I 13. Timberview - I 14. John Horn - I 15. North Lamar - I 16. Mesquite - I 17. Wills Point - I 18. Highland Park - II 19. Malakoff - II 20. McKinney - II 21. Lakeview - II 22. South Garland - II 23. Terrell - II 24. Pilot Point - II 25. Robert E. Lee - II 26. Celina - II 27. Crandall - II 28. North Garland - II 29. West Mesquite - II 30. Royse City - II 31. Commerce - II 32. Lovejoy - III 33. Eustace - III 34. Rio Vista - III 35. Ford - III 2A: Best Horn Line: Malakoff Best Percussion: Malakoff Best Color Guard: Rio Vista Best in Class: Malakoff 3A: Best Horn Line: Canton Best Percussion: North Lamar Best Color Guard: Canton Best in Class: Canton 4A: Best Horn Line: Rockwall Heath Best Percussion: Highland Park Best Color Guard: Timberview Best in Class: Forney 5A: Best Horn Line: Rowlett Best Percussion: Allen Best Color Guard: Allen Best in Class: Rowlett Grand Champion: Rowlett

Here's what I know: 1. Rowlett 2. Poteet 3. Coppell 4. Allen And Forney took the Best in Class 4A award. 5A Area C could be REALLY interesting this year. Berkner, Coppell, Rowlett, and Sachse have already come on strong and then of course there is the behemoth that is Duncanville. If Lake Highlands is as good as they were last year, this could be a six horse race for three to four spots.

Go Aledo!! I love seeing 4A bands do well at BOA.

Schedule!! 10:45 Leonard 11:00 Pottsboro 11:15 Whitewright 11:30 Tom Bean 11:45 Commerce 12:00 Mineola 12:15 Lamar 12:30 Princeton 12:45 BREAK 1:15 Sachse 1:30 Garland 1:45 Lake Highlands 2:00 McKinney 2:15 Wylie 2:30 Naaman Forest 2:45 BREAK 3:00 Rockwall Heath 3:15 Sherman 3:30 McKinney Boyd 3:45 Mesquite 4:00 Marcus 4:15 Poteet 4:30 Keller This could potentially be a very interesting contest. I do not envy my alma mater's position.

Do finalists perform in prelims placement order? Because if so......wow. Some HUGE surprises.

It would probably help those of you who are doing predictions to know that MISD (Mesquite, North Mesquite, West Mesquite, Poteet, Horn) schools aren't actually eligible for any awards. I think they do get ranked though? I'm not sure exactly how it works since they aren't technically competing.

I don't know....I'm expecting Coppell to be a lot cleaner than Haltom this early in the season. It will be closer than a Haltom/Berkner show down I think. I'm saying this, of course, without seeing any of these shows.