This season has flown by. We’re already at the Illini Marching Band Championships. It seems like we just started the season yesterday. Predictions this week will be for Shelbyville, Lincoln-Way and U of I. We’re going to do the U of I predictions a little bit differently. Each staff member was asked to submit their top 3 bands in each class. Instead of taking the average (which is what we usually do), each staff member’s picks will be posted, with the poll results as well. Also, good luck to those bands that are traveling to either St. Louis this weekend or up to Minneapolis.
Best of luck to all the bands this weekend! Leave it on the field. Let’s get to the predictions.
Shelbyville Marching Festival: Shelbyville, IL
Class C/D: This will be a well-fought out class. Okaw, GRF, and Oblong all met up at Danville, with Oblong eking out a very slight win. Atwood-Hammond, Oblong and Georgetown-Ridge Farm met up at Effingham, with Atwood winning their class. Finally, Atwood-Hammond and Okaw Valley met up at EIU, with Atwood winning by about 5 points. With all that said, we think Atwood-Hammond will eke out the victory here, with Georgetown-Ridge Farm 2nd, and Okaw Valley 3rd.
Class B: Murphysboro looks to win their 2nd class title of the year. We think Sullivan will take 2nd, with Sangamon Valley 3rd.
Class A: Mattoon looks to win this class, with Sherrard taking 2nd, marking their return to competition.
Class AA: We think Robinson will hold off Monticello, with Paris placing 3rd.
Grand Champion: Robinson
Lincoln-Way Invitational: Frankfort, IL
Class A: This should be a good class. We think LaSalle Peru will continue their success this season, with Herscher placing 2nd, and Providence Catholic 3rd.
Class AA: Victor J. Andrew looks to pick up another class title here this season. Naperville North and United Township battle it out for 2nd, with United Township getting the nod.
Class AAA: Marian Catholic will win this class easily. Lockport and Warren Township will battle it out for 2nd, with Lockport winning.
Grand Champion: This might be closer than expected, but we think Marian Catholic will still win the title here.
Illini Marching Band Championships: Champaign, IL
We’re doing the predictions for this one a little differently. Top 3 from each staff member (Mark, Chris, and Dan), and then the poll results.
Class 1A:
Mark: 1. ROWVA 2. Tri-Valley 3. Ridgeview
Dan: 1. Tri-Valley 2. ROWVA 3. Blue Ridge
Chris: 1. ROWVA 2. Tri-Valley 3. Blue Ridge
Polls: 1. Tri-Valley 2. ROWVA 3. Blue Ridge
Class 2A:
Mark: 1. Eureka 2. Newton 3. Pontiac
Dan: 1. Eureka 2. Macomb 3. Newton
Chris: 1. Newton 2. Eureka 3. IVC
Polls: 1. Eureka 2. Newton 3. Macomb
Class 3A:
Mark: 1. Morton 2. Limestone 3. East Peoria
Dan: 1. Morton 2. Limestone 3. Effingham
Chris: 1. Morton 2. Limestone 3. East Peoria
Polls: 1. Morton 2. Limestone 3. Effingham
Small Schools Grand Champion:
Mark: Morton
Dan: Morton
Chris: Morton
Class 4A:
Mark: 1. Bloomington 2. Lincoln-Way West 3. Dunlap
Dan: 1. Lincoln-Way West 2. Bloomington 3. Rock Island
Chris: 1. Bloomington 2. Lincoln-Way West 3. Rock Island
Polls: 1. LWW 2. Bloomington 3. Rock Island
Class 5A:
Mark: 1. Prospect 2. Hersey 3. Batavia
Dan: 1. Prospect 2. Hersey 3. Batavia
Chris: 1. Prospect 2. Hersey 3. Batavia
Polls: 1. Prospect 2. Stagg 3. Minooka
Class 6A:
Mark: 1. Downers Grove South 2. Waubonsie Valley 3. Neuqua Valley
Dan: 1. Downers Grove South 2. Waubonsie Valley 3. Neuqua Valley
Chris: 1. Downers Grove South 2. Waubonsie Valley 3. Carl Sandburg
Polls: 1. Downers Grove South 2. Waubonsie Valley 3. Carl Sandburg
Large School Grand Champion:
Mark: Prospect
Dan: Prospect
Chris: Prospect
(full article)