Who is your "dark horse" band for 2025?

[dfwhorn]

With the 2025 band season starting to approach, who do you think will be a dark horse of this year? Almost like how Braswell was where they just kinda underdogged their way up to 5th in J last year, who do you guys think that will be for this upcoming season?

[ChristopherRoden]

My two picks are 7L and MG Johnson. Clear upward trajectories over the past few years and very intriguing shows for this upcoming season. 

I also second Braswell! Other than those... I could see Midlothian, Clear Lake, and Liberty making some noise this fall!

[Tubalord11]

I think Walnut Grove is gonna have a crazy season. I don’t know about state yet, but considering how fast Rock Hill got good, I’m gonna say they make it in the next 3 years, if they stay 5A at least. 
And as everyone else has said, watch out for Braswell. Them and McKinney 

[CosmicLimbo]

I got a few

Seven Lakes: Great show last year and I think they’ll build off of that and return for an even stronger season. 

Forney: My current favorites to win Area C. I think they’ll take advantage of the chaos happening in Area C and hopefully challenge for finals at state. 
 

Braswell: Probably one of my favorite shows last season. If they were in any other area, I think they make state. Hopefully they can break through this time.

LD Bell: They’ve been cycling threw off years and on years for the last decade. I’m hoping they lick their wounds and come back swinging in Area B 

Round Rock: Not sure if “dark horse” is the correct term for them as we all know they’re good. I’m just hoping for a little extra from them seeing as this is a grand nats year for them.

 

[LeanderMomma]

Bridgeland. 

[lost]

McNeil stays in finals and advances to state.

[SharksAreCool]

Actually, I have a few Dark Horses for the year: McKinney, SLC, Braswell, Rockwall, and Aledo (edit, I forgot to mention Cy-Fair) I feel like these are some of the bands that have been overlooked a lot, but I think they have a great shot at going far this year.

Edited June 13 by SharksAreCool

[dfwhorn]

  On 6/12/2025 at 8:45 PM, SharksAreCool said:

Actually, I have a few Dark Horses for the year: McKinney, SLC, Braswell, Rockwall, and Aledo. I feel like these are some of the bands that have been overlooked a lot, but I think they have a great shot at going far this year.

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Area J will be fun with everyone saying McKinney and Braswell as their dark horses for 2025. I hope they have really good seasons, I loved both of their shows last year.

[youraveragebandkid]

Ok no bias I swear, but hear me out:

Foster 2025…

and you’re probably wondering: “why is she putting her own band under this category?”

Because our 2025 show has a lot of very different things that can definitely turn some heads 😄 (just leaving it at that though)

[rudy12]

For 4A: I would say either Davenport or Gatesville. Callallen also was amazing last year. North Lamar could be a threat as well.

 

[Gigger_Frog]

Van Alstyne and community

[Jhorn]

  On 6/12/2025 at 2:57 PM, LeanderMomma said:

Bridgeland. 

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100%! With David Duffy on the staff now, I think they have the potential to do bigger things than anyone would have expected last year. Already a SA finalist and GN finalist, you add Duffy’s show design and guard design abilities, that’s scary lol. I’d be on the look out for them. 

[glyde]

4a: Panther Creek or Gatesville, 5a: Wakeland, 6a:Bridgeland or Cedar Ridge

[bxOxAxUIL]

3A will be Raymondville

[LKendrick]

I've been SUPER impressed with Kaufman in the fall and now as an honor band finalist.  They were a solid 4A state band in 2023 and have just exploded in 5A in an incredibly tough area and class.   They're certainly on my radar as a spoiler this fall.  

[cheeto2401]

  On 7/1/2025 at 11:24 PM, rudy12 said:

For 4A: I would say either Davenport or Gatesville. Callallen also was amazing last year. North Lamar could be a threat as well.

 

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i totally agree with gatesville here, as the growth has been AMAZING since even a couple years ago

i see numerous people saying how gatesville will come 6-10th at area but i know they can do WAY better than that. who knows, maybe even coming top 3 at finals!

[GarbagePatchKid]

  On 7/2/2025 at 2:25 AM, Gigger_Frog said:

Van Alstyne and community

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How are you feeling about Community’s new director? Seems like a positive change IMO

[GarbagePatchKid]

  On 7/26/2025 at 4:29 AM, cheeto2401 said:

i totally agree with gatesville here, as the growth has been AMAZING since even a couple years ago

i see numerous people saying how gatesville will come 6-10th at area but i know they can do WAY better than that. who knows, maybe even coming top 3 at finals!

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I thought Gatesville was amazing last year. I really, really enjoyed their show. One of my favorites from state. I think they are definitely being underestimated esp with a top 10 finish at state. I know they finished 8th, but I really thought they were going to bump up a few spots. Granted, I did not have the best seat for finals particularly for viewing marching. 

[Gigger_Frog]

  On 8/5/2025 at 3:14 AM, GarbagePatchKid said:

How are you feeling about Community’s new director? Seems like a positive change IMO

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Should be better. If they want to make state sometime soon it has to be now. Most likely there last year in 4a and if Anna (b2b medals in 4a) can’t make area finals who know what will happen to them in 5a.

they will be pushing a state spot this year tho

[GarbagePatchKid]

  On 8/6/2025 at 6:31 PM, Gigger_Frog said:

Should be better. If they want to make state sometime soon it has to be now. Most likely there last year in 4a and if Anna (b2b medals in 4a) can’t make area finals who know what will happen to them in 5a.

they will be pushing a state spot this year tho

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I will say, even when they move up to 5A, they might be okay so long as they stay in area c. Area c 5A is not a powerhouse like area b. That’s why I think Celina will continue making state too. 
 

Going to a 4 day week killed the Anna band program. They also lost a great assistant director who took over the north Lamar program. 

[rudy12]

  On 7/26/2025 at 4:29 AM, cheeto2401 said:

i totally agree with gatesville here, as the growth has been AMAZING since even a couple years ago

i see numerous people saying how gatesville will come 6-10th at area but i know they can do WAY better than that. who knows, maybe even coming top 3 at finals!

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I think they might win area b

[rudy12]

  On 8/6/2025 at 11:32 PM, GarbagePatchKid said:

I will say, even when they move up to 5A, they might be okay so long as they stay in area c. Area c 5A is not a powerhouse like area b. That’s why I think Celina will continue making state too. 
 

Going to a 4 day week killed the Anna band program. They also lost a great assistant director who took over the north Lamar program. 

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It seems like you know 4a real good. Who is your dark horse in that class?

[GarbagePatchKid]

  On 8/7/2025 at 2:59 PM, rudy12 said:

It seems like you know 4a real good. Who is your dark horse in that class?

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I really don’t know. I think Gatesville has the potential to be top 3 at area b. I also thought West Plains played beautifully at the SMBC. IIRC their ensemble sounds were easily top 4-5. I don’t really get the panther creek hype. I’m sure they will do well again but I think their shows have been exceptionally boring. I do like Celina, but I know a lot of people don’t. They play some hard music and have stunning choreography. From what I’ve been told, they have a very young program because of the explosive growth out there. It might hurt things for them, but I was told the same thing last year. Someone said last year over half their high school band consisted of freshmen, which (if true) makes their win an amazing accomplishment. It’s going to be cut throat once again this year, I fear. 
 

I would like to see Community do better but I don’t think it’s their year. It looks like the new director is a good change but I don’t know if they can pull it all off in one year before moving up. There’s a chance China Spring will drop a bit too with a new director. 
 

I don’t think the door is wide open for all new medalists at state; there are just some cracks here and there. It’s been wild in 4a the past three years with Canton and Wills Point not making state, NL struggling and rebuilding, plus the insane rise of Celina and Panther Creek,

[cheeto2401]

  On 8/7/2025 at 5:25 PM, GarbagePatchKid said:

I really don’t know. I think Gatesville has the potential to be top 3 at area b. I also thought West Plains played beautifully at the SMBC. IIRC their ensemble sounds were easily top 4-5. I don’t really get the panther creek hype. I’m sure they will do well again but I think their shows have been exceptionally boring. I do like Celina, but I know a lot of people don’t. They play some hard music and have stunning choreography. From what I’ve been told, they have a very young program because of the explosive growth out there. It might hurt things for them, but I was told the same thing last year. Someone said last year over half their high school band consisted of freshmen, which (if true) makes their win an amazing accomplishment. It’s going to be cut throat once again this year, I fear. 
 

I would like to see Community do better but I don’t think it’s their year. It looks like the new director is a good change but I don’t know if they can pull it all off in one year before moving up. There’s a chance China Spring will drop a bit too with a new director. 
 

I don’t think the door is wide open for all new medalists at state; there are just some cracks here and there. It’s been wild in 4a the past three years with Canton and Wills Point not making state, NL struggling and rebuilding, plus the insane rise of Celina and Panther Creek,

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the potential for gatesville is 100% there, since they got 3rd at prelims but got knocked out by aubrey in finals

[GarbagePatchKid]

  On 8/8/2025 at 8:45 PM, cheeto2401 said:

the potential for gatesville is 100% there, since they got 3rd at prelims but got knocked out by aubrey in finals

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Wait, you said “knocked out.”  They still advanced to state right? Am I mixing things up because I swear I saw them in SA. They had the big flowers, didn’t they?