Week 5 of the Illinois Marching Band season is upon us. We have well over 100 performances this weekend in Illinois, so it is a busy weekend. Let’s get right to the predictions!
Marching Maroons Band Festival: Robinson, IL
Class A: South Knox is having a great season in ISSMA Class D in Indiana, and should win this class. However, if they’re not on their game, look for Oblong to play spoiler. Our pick: South Knox, IN
Class AA: Another good class here. All of these bands have had a good start to their seasons, so it will be close. We think Rich Central will win, with Casey-Westfield in 2nd, and Mt. Carmel in 3rd.
Class AAA: Vincennes Lincoln looks to be on their way to a state finals berth in ISSMA Class C, after taking last year off from competing in ISSMA events. We think they’ll win this class, with Effingham not far behind in 2nd, and Newton 3rd.
Grand Champion: Vincennes Lincoln
Sage City Invitational: Monticello, IL
Class C/D: A good class here. Atwood-Hammond and Tri-Valley match up well with one another. We think Tri-Valley will take the class, with Atwood-Hammond 2nd, and Blue Ridge 3rd.
Class B: This will be a battle between Paxton-Buckley-Loda and Vandalia for Grand Champion. We think PBL will break out of their 5th place rut they’ve been in this season, win this class. Vandalia 2nd, and Unity (Tolono) 3rd.
Class 2A: Interesting class here. Champaign Centennial and Urbana meet up, both of whom are capable of winning this class. We think Champaign Centennial will take it, with Urbana 2nd, and T.F. North 3rd.
Grand Champion: Champaign Centennial
McKendree Preview of Champions: Lebanon, IL
Class 1A: Johnston City looks to win their 2nd class championship of the year, and we think they will. Orchard Farm, MO 2nd, and Carlyle 3rd.
Class 2A: A good class here. Murphysboro looks to get their 2nd class title of the year, and they will fairly easily. Salem will take their 2nd consecutive 2nd place of the season, and Wesclin 3rd.
Class 3A: This will be a good fight between Collinsville and Mater Dei. Mater Dei had good showings at Murphysboro and O’Fallon, but we think Collinsville will overtake them. Northwest, MO will round out the top 3.
Class 4A: We’re going to go with an “upset” here. We think Carbondale will take the class over Alton, and Triad will be 3rd.
Class 5A: This class won’t be close. Oakville, MO will build on their 11th place finish at the Richmond, KY BOA regional and win, Highland 2nd, and Seckman, MO 3rd.
Class 6A: This class also won’t be close. O’Fallon looks to build on their reputation as being one (if not the) strongest bands in the St. Louis area, and win this class handily. Jefferson City will take 2nd, and Belleville West will be 3rd.
Grand Champion: O’Fallon
Bands of America Regional Championships: Pontiac, MI
4 Illinois bands will be making an appearance at the Pontiac Silverdome this weekend. While none of them will win (we think that honor will go to Harrison, GA), we think 3 of them will make finals. Our finalists are (top 5 first, then bottom 5): Harrison, Plymouth-Canton, MI, Reeths-Puffer, MI, Victor J. Andrew and Lincoln-Way North in the top 5. Our bottom 5 consists of: Rockford, MI, Jenison, MI, Northmont, OH, Lockport (making their first finals appearance), and Central Crossing, OH.
Prospect Knight of Champions: Mt. Prospect, IL
Class 1A: A lot of good bands kicking off this competition. We think Sandwich will come in third, followedy by Alan B. Shepard, and Lincoln-Way West will the class.
Class 2A: As with the trend this year, this is the largest class of the day. We think Lincoln-Way Central will take third, Waubonsie Valley second, and Downers Grove South will win their class after a visit from John Mackey.
Class 3A: The biggest class rounds out a great line-up of bands. Plainfield North looks to take third, followed by John Hersey in second, and Lincoln-Way East in first.
Grand Champion:Lincoln-Way East
Metamora Parade and Field Invitational: Metamora, IL
1A: This should be a close fight between Mt. Zion and Rockridge. Our Pick: Mt. Zion
2A: Another close class. LaSalle Peru looks to continue their successes this year, followed by ROWVA, and Thornwood in 3rd.
3A: Geneseo should walk away with this class. U-High, Dunlap and Prairie Central fight for 2nd and 3rd.
4A: A tough class to call. Look for Limestone and United Township to fight for 1st place and another close battle between Rock Island, Normal Community and IVC for 3rd. Our Pick: Limestone
5A: With Mahomet-Seymour’s outstanding performance last week, they could stand a chance to take a win here over Morton. However, we believe Morton will prevail with Mahomet in a close second.
Grand Champion: Since this competition has a parade section, it can throw off predictions for the overall band. Given that, Morton should still get the win here. However, if they don’t do parade (as has been rumored), look for Bloomington to take the title.
Marengo Settler’s Days: Marengo, IL
Class 1A: A good class here. We think Sandwich will take it, followed by Evergreen Park, and Rochelle Township in 3rd.
Class 2A: Antioch looks to win this class, followed by Sycamore in 2nd, and Kaneland 3rd.
Class 3A: Wheeling will run away with this class. T.F. South will take 2nd, and Oak Creek and Huntley will battle it out for 3rd, with the nod going to Oak Creek.
Grand Champion: Since we have not received a parade schedule, we’ll just predict the field Grand Champion. Our pick (without a doubt) goes to Wheeling.
Best of luck to all performing bands this weekend!