UIL 5A Area F 2025

[Tubalord11]

9 minutes ago, TyYouTwo said:

Updated predictions as a result of all the comps that have thus happened so far:

1. Aledo (bound to be 6a next year; they're the obvious powerhouse).

2. Cen10 (Absolutely dominated at US Bands Saginaw, receiving first place and dominating over bands like Boswell and Richland, and, of course, has the best percussion within Area F).

3. Midlothian (Haven't really seen their show yet; I will adjust later on, but it is definitely top 3 according to all the hype I've seen).

4. Birdville (Defeated Richland twice and got 1st overall in Music, Brass, and Woodwind at Don Hannah. Their visual scores were very low, though, so I can imagine how much better they'll be in 3 weeks, come Area, with the possible chance of even being top 3; I wouldn't be surprised at all).

5. Richland (Got 3rd at US Bands Saginaw, trumping over Area F bands like Fossil Ridge, Saginaw, and Chisholm Trail by a lot. They're show is very clean visually but not musically yet. Unfortunate results from Don Hanna, but they have not fallen off as much as Colleyville, with all due respect).

6. Colleyville Heritage (Usually a heavy contender for top 5, but their recent performance at McKinney was detrimental despite the work they may have put in, and, compared to previous years, their show isn't as dynamically clean or expressive anymore, but that's just my perspective).

7. Grapevine (Despite their smaller size from the other 5A bands, they have some solid ground right now, defeating bands like Colleyville at the McKinney Invitational by a lot. The only reason I didn't place them as high as deserved is that their history has always been within this placement range, but I might be proven wrong once they participate in the Birdville Marching Festival. 

8. Brewer (I actually saw their show in person, and it sounds like levels beyond their previous seasons in terms of musicality. I would definitely not be surprised if they made UIL Area finals).

9. Saginaw (Their performance at US Bands Saginaw was very successful, placing relatively high compared to Fossil Ridge and Chisholm Trail. Their current level would definitely land them a spot at finals).

10. Fossil Ridge (Although they've struggled at recent competitions like US Bands Saginaw, they're still healthy enough to make finals, but other bands like Azle, Chisholm Trail, and Granbury can make an appearance too).

I know there's a chance of more than 10 bands making finals, depending on the Regional issues, but I will stick with the more likely top 10 format.

Yes

[Bandlife]

12 hours ago, CharterBusLover said:

1. Aledo (Really shouldn't be 5a but whatever)

2. Midlo (Bari sax solist is just a mini Leo P)

3.Cen10 

4. Richland

5.Birdville

6.Grapevine (Should probably be at 5 but I'm just gonna wait until next week)

7.CH ( Apparently they're not as good now?? also lost to Grapevine at McKinney but scored higher if not the same as Grapevine in music.)

8-12. Cleburne, Saginaw, Creekview, Brewer, Fossil Ridge, Grandbury, Chisholm Trail (Bolded=more likley, everything else is in the bubble for making a 12 band finals)

The race for the 10 spot lowk might be more cut throat than the race for state😭

 

I agree. But Aledo will do everything in their power to stay 5A as they always have. They know if they move up to 6A their football team will not win every game. 

[Anthony V]

12 hours ago, bandisfun124 said:

I am curious to hear what you might have to say and/or how your opinions might've changed with the corrected information

I think it presents Birdville as more consistent, but I'm not sure it shifts how I view area F predictions. In fairness, that may say more about me than it does about Birdville; I let past experience and historical results have a bit more inertia in my predictions, partly because I am an untrained neanderthal by comparison to the undercover (ex-)designers, (ex-)directors, and/or (ex-)judges on here, and partly because I am only keeping up with performances in praesentia (which, this year, are not very many for me).

An anecdote: I had the good pleasure of watching Birdville at BOA San Antonio prelims in 2023. At their best, their ensemble sound was strikingly good. In fact, I thought it was the best tone I had ever heard Birdville consistently produce. So I was perplexed when I found out that they placed 41st in music ensemble. I have had this experience on more than one occasion listening to BISD schools. So, when I notice it, I do not assume it will make adjudicators want to dole out points like it would make me want to.

[wtxbd02]

On 10/6/2025 at 8:12 PM, Anthony V said:

"Don't make me come down there" 

-LKendrick, probably

Hello.  lol

Yeah, cleaned things up.  Y'all behave.  It's just band.  Friendly competition and banter is great but we strayed past that.  

Continue.  

[PercDad4Life]

On 10/6/2025 at 12:58 PM, Bandlife said:

Centennial is a small band for 5A. But.. They have won ALL captions in the last two contests. Stop sleeping on them. The only reason the brass seems weak is because they do not have as many members as other 5A bands. And.. Let's be honest..Aledo should be 6A. 

You are correct that Cen10 is a smaller band in 5A, but only when competing at the UIL 5A State Marching contest, especially in Finals, or when going up against 6A schools at non-uil events. Regionally, they are they are average size with other 5A programs.

It is logical to correlate band size to sound/power.  However, the issue is that marching contest fans regularly see bands of equal or smaller size that have a noticeably bigger sound and powerful brass.  Additionally, Cen10s success comes with some expectation that they would/should have a more powerful brass and bigger band sound than what they present on the field.  This creates disappointment (and thus comments on chat forums) for us power hounds that love to have our face blown off when the band/brass flexes their musical muscle.

That said, Cen10 has proven time and time again that big sound and powerful brass is not a requirement for success.  They have a solid program with a history of success that many programs envy.  They consistently produce quality blended sound while putting a fabulous and entertaining product on the field.  I am a Cen10 fan and would love to see what they could do with all that talent and skill backed by a face distorting brass section!

[wtxbd02]

38 minutes ago, PercDad4Life said:

You are correct that Cen10 is a smaller band in 5A, but only when competing at the UIL 5A State Marching contest, especially in Finals, or when going up against 6A schools at non-uil events. Regionally, they are they are average size with other 5A programs.

It is logical to correlate band size to sound/power.  However, the issue is that marching contest fans regularly see bands of equal or smaller size that have a noticeably bigger sound and powerful brass.  Additionally, Cen10s success comes with some expectation that they would/should have a more powerful brass and bigger band sound than what they present on the field.  This creates disappointment (and thus comments on chat forums) for us power hounds that love to have our face blown off when the band/brass flexes their musical muscle.

That said, Cen10 has proven time and time again that big sound and powerful brass is not a requirement for success.  They have a solid program with a history of success that many programs envy.  They consistently produce quality blended sound while putting a fabulous and entertaining product on the field.  I am a Cen10 fan and would love to see what they could do with all that talent and skill backed by a face distorting brass section!

Cedar Ridge comes to mind as a comparison here.  Amazing top level percussion and a much smaller than average 6A state finalist band.  But man they can PLAY.  Always packs a huge punch despite their size.  

I saw Burleson Centennial live in 2019 and the whole band was phenomenal in finals that year.  Sure that hasn't changed with their recent placements.  

[RonaldReaganOfficial]

Southwestern championships will be a really good way of determining positions especially since Birdville, midlo, etc is attending.

[lunareclipse18]

So will Birdville Invitatonal… Summit, Grapevine, Timberview, Colleyville and Chisholm Trail will all make appearances there!

[RonaldReaganOfficial]

5 hours ago, lunareclipse18 said:

So will Birdville Invitatonal… Summit, Grapevine, Timberview, Colleyville and Chisholm Trail will all make appearances there!

Yeah but all the BISD dudes won't be there. Still great to see.

[Karma_Savior]

1st Aledo (Duh)
2nd Cen10 (Will win percussion - Remember that it's the state judging format at Area now)
3rd Richland (Love the show design this year)
4th Birdville (Really stepped it up compared to last year)
5th Midlo (VERY well executed... I'm just not the biggest fan of the show design personally)
6th Grapevine
7th Saginaw
8th CH
9th Fossil Ridge
10th Cleburne 

[sigmaboi]

Im new to this forum but i saw most of these bands this year 

1. Aledo (duhhh)

2, cen10 

3.....Birdville.....

4 CH

5. Midlo

6. richland 

thats all i got

[RonaldReaganOfficial]

13 hours ago, sigmaboi said:

Im new to this forum but i saw most of these bands this year 

1. Aledo (duhhh)

2, cen10 

3.....Birdville.....

4 CH

5. Midlo

6. richland 

thats all i got

Idk about that...

[colleyvilleftw]

no guys trust colleyville 1st place

[RonaldReaganOfficial]

I heard birdville will have their full show tonight. Anyone going that can give opinions will be great!

[proudRICHLANDbandmom]

1 hour ago, RonaldReaganOfficial said:

I heard birdville will have their full show tonight. Anyone going that can give opinions will be great!

I’m going!

[TyYouTwo]

3 hours ago, RonaldReaganOfficial said:

I heard birdville will have their full show tonight. Anyone going that can give opinions will be great!

I will definitely be there for finals performances and exhibition bands. There are a lot of key Area F bands to listen to in this competition.

[CharterBusLover]

Guys are we sure CH is even making area finals…

[5abands]

1 hour ago, CharterBusLover said:

Guys are we sure CH is even making area finals…

we just learned from the Birdville competition that Chisolm trail is better than Colleyville. I saw the Birdville performance and I certainly think they are better than Colleyville as well. If Colleyville makes finals here, they would be 9th or 10th because I feel like even Saginaw might be better. They truly need a miracle.

[5abands]

1. Aledo

2. BC

3. Midlothian (impressive boa midland win)

4. Richland

5. Grapevine

6. Birdville (not yet convinced they are better than Grapevine atm from what I saw at birdville comp)

7. Azle 

8. Chisolm Trail

9. Saginaw

10. Brewer/Colleyville/Fossil Ridge                    (really up for grabs here, I see alot of bands fighting for the last finals spot.)

[melloforlife27]

2 hours ago, 5abands said:

1. Aledo

2. BC

3. Midlothian (impressive boa midland win)

4. Richland

5. Grapevine

6. Birdville (not yet convinced they are better than Grapevine atm from what I saw at birdville comp)

7. Azle 

8. Chisolm Trail

9. Saginaw

10. Brewer/Colleyville/Fossil Ridge                    (really up for grabs here, I see alot of bands fighting for the last finals spot.)

Joshua beat brewer last night in springtown and also won percussion, colorguard, and music. They also beat fossil ridge last week in Crowley. They definitely look like an area finals band so far.

[lunareclipse18]

Here's my top 10 right now,

1. Aledo (definite powerhouse of the area)

2. Cen10 (8th Place at Prosper beating out groups like McKinney and Braswell as well as being right behind LT could put them in a spot to win the area)

3. Midlothian (A convincing win in Midland should definitely put them top 3. I also think that Bari Sax solo is amazing! Such a fun show)

4. Richland (From their exhibition they've improved from last week, should be a state qualifier)

5. Grapevine (A 7th in prelims and finals at Birdville ahead of Duncanville should put them in top 5 contention)

6. Birdville (I'm not totally convinced they are better than Grapevine right now from their exhibition)

7. Chisholm Trail (A finals placement at Birdville should secure them finals here)

8. Azle (Might just be my perception because they didn't have a contest this weekend but I think from what I've seen CT is a little ahead of them)

9-10. Brewer, Colleyville Heritage, Saginaw, Fossil Ridge, Cleburne, Joshua, Creekview, Granbury (Literally could any one of these groups, the race for finals seems so tight this year)

[baritonal]

I think Colleyville will make it. They were ranked 4th in music at birdville, which was a massive improvement from their last comp at McKinney. If they fix some visual things I think that could put them back in top 6 contention

[5abands]

4 hours ago, baritonal said:

I think Colleyville will make it. They were ranked 4th in music at birdville, which was a massive improvement from their last comp at McKinney. If they fix some visual things I think that could put them back in top 6 contention

They did have massive improvements from their Mckinney competition in music, but i’m just not convinced with their brass and percussion this year as there isn't really any impact moments like they had last year and visually is still a mess too. They have a lot of improvement to do to be able to make area finals here because Granbury, Joshua, Brewer, Saginaw and Chisolm Trail are red hot this season compared to other seasons.

[melloenthusiast]

I wouldn't count Fossil ridge out of finals yet as they placed 1st at their last comp and beat bands like Denton Ryan who beat them by places at us Saginaw.

[BandMom2026]

On 9/28/2025 at 8:24 PM, CharterBusLover said:

Aledo with the best time slot😭

Is this the draw order for this year?