September 8, 2010
Predictions for September 11, 2010
Filed under: — Dan Balash @ 7:00 am

Hello everyone!  Welcome to another season of Illinois Marching band coverage.  We’ll be providing predictions from now until Grand Nationals in mid-November.

A little bit about how we make our predictions…First things first, we do this for fun.  Nothing should be read into these predictions.  For the first couple weeks each season, we look at a band’s past record, their early-season tendencies, and the matchups.  As the season rolls on, we base our predictions on that season’s performance up to that point.

With that being said, let’s get to the first week of predictions!

Washington Panther Parade and Field: Washington, IL

1A: Of the four bands in class 1A, Eureka seems to be the strongest based on past years. Our Pick: Eureka

2A: All three bands in 2A were fairly close last year whenever they faced each other. So this pick is quite tough. Our Pick: Geneseo

3A: Pontiac has won their class at this show for the past 4 years, and have won Grand Champion 3 times in the past 4 years. Our Pick: Pontiac

4A: Morton has been quite good for the past few years, and should be able to win 4A. Our Pick: Morton

GC: With Morton not competing in the Parade, Pontiac seems like a good choice for Grand Champion. Our Pick: Pontiac

Belleville East Marching Invitational: Belleville, IL

Class A: Wesclin’s the only band in this class.  Our pick: Wesclin

Class AA: Francis Howell North looks to repeat as AA Champions from last year.  Mehlville, MO could make it interesting, however.  Our pick: Francis Howell North

Class AAA: This class is a toss-up.  Parkway North has had some success in recent years, but we think Highland will take it.  Our pick: Highland

Grand Champion: Francis Howell North should win this competition, with Highland not too far behind.  Our pick: Francis Howell North

Metro East Marching Classic: O’Fallon, IL

Class A:   If last year’s results carry over to 2010, Effingham should have another strong showing and win this class with ease.  Our pick: Effingham

Class AA: A pretty good class of Illinois bands, but we’re going with the one out-of-state band here.  Our pick: St. Charles West

Class AAA:  This will be a tough class.  Edwardsville and Belleville East were 1st and 2nd here last year, and throw in Francis Howell North, and this is an absolute toss-up.  We think Belleville East will repeat as champions here again.  Our pick: Belleville East

Grand Champion: Winning class AAA will allow Belleville East to snag Grand Champion here.

Naperville Central Marching Classic:Lisle, IL

Class 1A Only two bands to pick from here, and it really could go either way. Our Pick: Argo
Class 2A: A few good bands duking it out for first place in this class. Watch for Fremd to make a run for it, but ultimately… Our Pick: A.A. Stagg
3A: This class is tough to call, being early in the season neither John Hersey nor Lincoln-Way North will be particularly clean. Hersey’s musical selection should prove interesting and most likely put them over LWN.  Hersey, the defending Governor’s Trophy winners from U of I, meets up with LWN for the first time ever.  Should be a good fight.  Our Pick: John Hersey
Grand Champion: The winner of 3A should claim this title. Our Pick: John Hersey

Lake Park Lancer Joust: Roselle, IL
Class 1A: The most difficult pick of the weekend.  Wheaton North looks to defend their 1A title from last year, but Lincoln-Way West looks to build on a successful freshman season and overthrow Wheaton North.  Our pick:Lincoln-Way West
Class 2A: Another good class.  Wheeling looks to repeat, but with Victor J. Andrew falling to AA this season, Victor J. Andrew should be the champion here.  Our pick: Victor J. Andrew
Class AAA: Lincoln-Way East looks to “turn it around” from a shocking 6th place finish at ISU last year, and not making finals in the Indianapolis regional.  That starts today.  Prospect should make it close, but Our pick: Lincoln-Way East
Finalist predictions (in no order): Lincoln-Way East, Victor J. Andrew, Wheeling, Prospect, Naperville North, Waukesha North, WI, Downers Grove South, Lockport, Waubonsie Valley, Lincoln-Way West
Grand Champion: Lincoln-Way East will have a stellar performance and defend their finals championship from last year.  Prospect 2nd, Naperville North 3rd.

Best of luck to all bands this weekend!  Hope for no rain!
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