Week 2 is now upon us. We have a busy week with 7 in state shows and Waukegan and Huntley competing at Mukwonago in Wisconsin (which we will not be predicting due to lack of knowledge on Wisconsin bands), so let’s get right to the predictions! Please keep in mind we do these entirely for fun.
Murphysboro Drums at Appletime: Murphysboro, IL
Class 1A: 1.) Johnston City 2.) Anna-Jonesboro 3.) Massac County
Class 2A: 1.) Potosi 2.) Salem 3.) Carterville
Class 3A: 1) Waterloo 2.) Carbondale 3.) Marion
Class 4A: 1.) Cape Central 2.) Alton 3.) McCracken County
Grand Champion: Due to competing in both parade and field, Waterloo will win once again.
Pontiac Indian Showdown: Pontiac, IL
1A: Watseka should take this one, but both PBL and Tri-Valley will be close behind.
2A: IVC and Geneseo go neck and neck for first. We give the nod to IVC. Streator in third.
3A: Eureka takes another first place here, but East Peoria could be a surprise. Danville in third.
4A: Washington will square off with Normal Community for first. We believe Normal Community will come out on top with Bolingbrook in third.
Grand Champion: Normal Community will take today’s honor, but don’t be surprised if either the 2A or 3A winner comes from behind.
Metro East Marching Classic: O’Fallon, IL
Class 1A: 1.) Windsor 2.) St. Charles West 3.) Newton
Class 2A: 1.) Rockwood Summit 2.) Fort Zumwalt South 3.) Truman
Class 3A: 1.) Lindbergh 2.) Oakville 3.) Francis Howell
Class 4A: 1.) Belleville East 2.) Edwardsville 3.) Collinsville
Grand Champion: Belleville East
Morton Pumpkin Festival: Morton, IL
1A: With their strong showing last week, Pekin will make for a very close placing relative to Dunlap. We’ll give the edge to Pekin here. Olympia will sqeeze past Mt. Zion for third.
2A: Probably the closest first through third placements today. We believe Limestone will take first, followed closely by UT and then Macomb.
3A: Bloomington should take first here, but Rock Island will put up a fight. The early performance times for Washington and IVC will have them fighting for third with the nod going to IVC.
Grand Champion: The winner of 3A could take this, but we believe Limestone will get their first Grand Champion title since 2009.
Wheaton North Falcon Marching Band Festival: Wheaton, IL
Class 1A: Two bands and both are making their competitive debut. We’ll take H.D. Jacobs in 2nd and Sandwich as the class champion.
Class 2A: A very interesting class here. After hosting last week, Stagg looks to take 3rd place, followed by Downers Grove South in their second show of the day. It could be close, but after their best finish at Lake Park last week, Wheeling looks to take another class title.
Class 3A: Another class with a lot of season debuts. We think Fremd will take 3rd, Plainfield Central 2nd after a good showing at Stagg last week. After getting rained out for their exhibition performance, Lake Park will take their first class title of the season.
Grand Champion: Lake Park
Providence Catholic High School Marching Band Invitational: New Lenox, IL
Class 1A: The battle for 2nd and 3rd place should be interesting here. We’ll say Richmond-Burton in 3rd, followed by Evergreen Park. Lincoln-Way West will secure their second class title of the season, building off of their performance at Lake Park.
Class 2A: Another tough class here. Glenbard West looks to build on their good start with a 3rd place finish, followed by Lincoln-Way Central in their competitive debut. Downers Grove South will take the class title after a strong showing a Lake Park last week.
Class 3A: Lots of great bands making their season debut in this class, so not much to go on here. We’ll take Plainfield North in 3rd, followed by Lincoln-Way North, and Marian Catholic as the class winner.
Grand Champion: Marian Catholic
Sunday, September 16th: North Knights Marching Festival: Grayslake, IL
Class 1A: Grant makes their competitive appearance of the season and looks to come in 2nd. Sandwich will take their second class title of the weekend.
Class 2A: Several bands begin their season at this competition. Johnsburg should take 3rd, followed by Antioch in 2nd. Lakes Community should take their second class title of the season.
Class 3A: This class looks to be a battle of the D214 schools. We’ll say Grayslake Central in 3rd, Elk Grove in 2nd, and Rolling Meadows as the class champion.
Grand Champion: Rolling Meadows
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