Week 2 is now upon us.  After a nice start to the season, more bands will be debuting their 2009 programs at some pretty good competitions this weekend.  We, as a staff, look to improve on our predictions from last weekend, as our predictions for the Southern Illinois shows didn’t quite come to fruition.

That being said, we have 7 competitions this weekend, so let’s get to the predictions for week 2.

Danville Viking Invitational: Danville, IL

Class A: Atwood-Hammond is the favorite here against relative newcomers Bismarck-Henning, and a smaller Heritage band, and El-Paso Gridley.  AH is the safe bet, so we’ll take it.  Our pick: Atwood-Hammond

Class AA: Paxton-Buckley-Loda continues to have a strong program in their class, and this year is no exception.  Our pick: Paxton-Buckley-Loda.

Class AAA: We’re looking forward to T.F. South’s show.  While the conventional pick may be Normal West, we will go with Normal West.

Grand Champion: Our pick: Normal West

Alton Echoes off the River: Alton, IL
There are no classes in this show, so we’ll just name our grand champion.  This show will either come down to Hazelwood Central or Salem.  We’re going to show some Illinois favoritism and choose Salem.

Mt. Zion Marching Music Games: Mt. Zion, IL

Class A: Given that most (or all?) of these bands are in their first week, and going off history, our pick is Watseka

Class AA: Last year’s AAA winner, Lincoln is the favorite to win their new class this year.

Class AAA: After hosting their competition last weekend, Washington looks geared up to win their class.

Grand Champion: Performing in both parade and field, University High looks to take the grand champion trophy.

Murphysboro Drums at Appletime: Murphysboro, IL

Class A: Some good up-and-coming bands in this class.  We’ll take the band going to ISU to win this class. Our pick: Johnston City

Class AA: Some good bands in this class as well.  We’ll take last year’s champion in this class to repeat.  Our pick: Potosi.
Class AAA: Carbondale and Marion both have one week of competition under their belts, and Waterloo is performing their show for the first time this week in competition.  Our pick: Waterloo.

Adding in the parade scores, Waterloo is the smart pick to repeat as Grand Champion.  Our pick: Waterloo

Tiger Ambush Classic: Edwardsville, IL

Class A: After improving at their 2nd competition last weekend, Salem looks to make a rise to a class championship.  Our pick: Salem

Class AA: After a solid showing last week at Belleville East, Mehlville looks to take this class.

Class AAA: After winning their class last week at O’Fallon, Effingham looks to win another class championship.

Class AAAA: Possibly the best band in Missouri.  Should win this class by a lot.  Our pick: Blue Springs

Grand Champion A/AA: Mehlville

Grand Champion AAA/AAAA:Blue Springs

Morton Invitational: Morton, IL

Class A: This class features the newly formed Lincoln-Way West, which will be really fun to watch. With the quality that all of the Lincoln-Ways have shown, and footage of them already has been good, we have to give this one to them. Our Pick: Lincoln-Way West

Class AA: This class has a few good bands in it, which will make the top 3 spots very hard to come by. With Normal Community, Lincoln-Way North, and United Township…this will be a tough class. LWN will be sure to build on last years success, but we think United Township will take it. Our Pick: United Township

Class AAA: Class 3A also has many good bands, and really was a very hard one to try and get a grasp of. Limestone is coming off a great performance last week at Washington…and believe me, they will be a force to be reckond with in a few years. But we do think this class will go to another Lincoln-Way. Our Pick: Lincoln-Way Central

Class AAAA: 4A is the smallest class of the day, hosting only four bands. And Bloomington has been surging in recent years and should be able to take this one. If they don’t…it will most likely be Macomb. Our Pick: Bloomington

Grand Champion: Grand Champion here is a toss up. It could be the 2A winner, it could be the 3A winner, or the 4A winner. Needless to say the entire day will be very exciting to watch. Our Pick: Lincoln-Way Central

September 20th:

Dwight Harvest Days: Dwight, IL

Class B: Coal City is the only band competing in this class.  Our pick: Coal City

Class A: Marengo only one competing here.  Our pick: Marengo

Class AA: Carl Sandburg or Minooka?  Our pick: Minooka

Grand Champion: Minooka

Best of luck to all the bands this weekend!!

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