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Post by verysaxy on Jan 25, 2020 19:45:13 GMT -6
Post-2019 top Texas bands (from the perspective of a northerner)
1. Reagan 2. Vandegrift 3. Vista Ridge 4. Hebron 5. Marcus 6. Leander 7. CTJ 8. Flower Mound 9. The Woodlands 10. James Bowie? Maybe Bell/Haltom
ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴅᴏɴᴛ ᴄʀᴜᴄɪғʏ ᴍᴇ
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Post by ilikeguard on Jan 25, 2020 19:52:48 GMT -6
Post-2019 top Texas bands (from the perspective of a northerner) 1. Flower Mound 2. Ronald Reagan 3. Hebron 4. Marcus 5. CTJ 6. Vandegrift 7. Vista Ridge 8. The Woodlands 9. Leander 10. Cedar Ridge 11. Keller 12. Cedar Park 13. James Bowie 14. Round Rock 15. LD Bell ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴅᴏɴᴛ ᴄʀᴜᴄɪғʏ ᴍᴇ You could put the top 10 in a hat and pick them out one by one and no matter what combination, someone would crucify you for it... and it’d probably still be fairly accurate. There’s just too much talent in the country of Texas for us northerners to keep up with
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Post by Samuel Culper on Jan 25, 2020 19:58:12 GMT -6
Post-2019 top Texas bands (from the perspective of a northerner) 1. Flower Mound 2. Ronald Reagan 3. Hebron 4. Marcus 5. CTJ 6. Vandegrift 7. Vista Ridge 8. The Woodlands 9. Leander 10. Cedar Ridge 11. Keller 12. Cedar Park 13. James Bowie 14. Round Rock 15. LD Bell ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴅᴏɴᴛ ᴄʀᴜᴄɪғʏ ᴍᴇ I don't think I would agree with putting the Lewisville 3 and the NEISD 2 ahead of the Leander 3.
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Post by drumcorpsgeek on Jan 25, 2020 20:11:36 GMT -6
I am surprised to not see a listing for Illinois. This is from my post on Illinois Marching Online. Rankings are primarily based on 2019 results. Hopefully this will generate some discussion... (ISU – Illinois State University Marching Band Championships. This is considered by many as the “unofficial” state championships for Illinois.) Overall, I think 2019 was positive for Illinois marching bands. This can be justified by the Indianapolis Super Regional results. Illinois was represented by three bands in the top seven in Finals and had five bands in the top 20. Without searching through archives, this may be the best overall finish by Illinois bands at the Indianapolis Super Regional. The Indianapolis Super Regional results from 2019 should help recruitment for the top bands below. I provided my outlook and comments for my top 10 bands. Since I live in the western suburbs of Chicago, I see the Chicago area bands more than bands from downstate Illinois, so my picks are probably more biased towards these bands. I also provided my 2019 comments (for comparison) when the question was asked a year ago on the Illinois Forum. 1. Lincoln-Way – (2019) The band to beat, and probably will remain so. They have the largest band and the largest pool of students from their schools. 2020 – Very nice show for 2019 that was well executed with the two-color uniforms and props. Really came on strong at the end of the season. Always has a nice show. Strong color guard. Overall, I have the same expectations for Lincoln-Way in 2020. 2. O’Fallon Township – (2019) Very nice show the past couple of years, but the question is whether they can repeat. It will be interesting to see what their show will be this year. While not at ISU in 2019, they are going to several BOA competitions where other Illinois bands are performing. 2020 – Like Lincoln-Way, always has an excellent show. We can expect O’Fallon to be strong again in 2020. I do not know much about the school to provide details for a 2020 forecast. Unfortunately, ISU and the St. Louis Super Regional are the same weekend again in 2020, so we may not see O’Fallon at ISU for a second year in a row. 3. Lockport Township – (2019) Excellent visual performances. Excellent soloist performances. Watching their YouTube video of their 2018 Grand Nationals performance provides an overall perspective you do not see at local competitions. Lockport has always placed a very close second to Lincoln Way in the ISU 6A field, so this a band to watch in the future. 2020 - Again, the visual aspect of their 2019 show was extremely strong, and the addition of the drumline (albeit small) accented their overall performance. Very nice woodwind movements. Lockport is probably the best in the state at integrating the color guard into their show. Lockport made Finals for the first time ever at Indianapolis Super Regionals, so students must be excited about this accomplishment and should carry over into 2020. I expect 2020 to be another highly successful year for this school. 4. Marian Catholic – (2019) Best band musically. Always has great shows, but the show theme last year [2018] was not as powerful as past shows. I expect better this year. 2020 – I thought the execution of their show was better in 2019 than 2018, but I think the quality of their competition is also getting better. Just missed Finals at Indy Super Regional and Grand Nationals, it will be interesting to see how Marian Catholic responds for 2020. 5. Prospect – (2019) Their show is always well executed. One of the bands you don't want to miss performing. Always a very good band and will remain within the top five. 2020- The 2019 statements remain true. They do not perform an overly complex show, but their execution is always among the best. Finished 17th at Indy Super Regional and will remain within the top five within the state. 6. Downers Grove South – (2019) An excellent show in 2018. I expect they will build from this show in 2019. Another band you want to watch. 2020 – This band may have experienced some growing pains in 2019, and appeared they finally got everything together at the University of Illinois Championships. I still believe this is a band to watch. 7. Morton – (2019) Excellent all-around band. Finished 29th at 2018 Grand Nationals. They do not have the appearance of a small school band and appear to be a very dedicated group. I expect Morton to remain the top ISU 2A band for several years. 2020 – Still the best band in the ISU 2A Field. I expect them to remain very successful. I still consider them an enthusiastic group. 8. John Hersey – (no 2019 prediction) – Started slow in 2019 but came back strong later in the season. Like Prospect, another band that executes their program very well. 9. Victor J. Andrew – (no 2019 prediction) – Andrew had a very good season for 2019. Their show was always a crowd favorite. Will their success continue into 2020? 10. Romeoville – (no 2019 prediction) – A school that had a very successful season for 2019. Romeoville made Finals for the first time at ISU. The excitement was very evident in the both the crowd and in the band at ISU. A cleaner and more polished performance will improve their overall placement. I don't know too much myself, but O'Fallon should have a special year in terms of show design. Who designs for Ofallon?
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Post by TXHillCountryBands on Jan 25, 2020 21:08:50 GMT -6
Post-2019 top Texas bands (from the perspective of a northerner) 1. Flower Mound 2. Ronald Reagan 3. Hebron 4. Marcus 5. CTJ 6. Vandegrift 7. Vista Ridge 8. The Woodlands 9. Leander 10. Cedar Ridge 11. Keller 12. Cedar Park 13. James Bowie 14. Round Rock 15. LD Bell ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴅᴏɴᴛ ᴄʀᴜᴄɪғʏ ᴍᴇ I don't think I would agree with putting the Lewisville 3 and the NEISD 2 ahead of the Leander 3. Verysaxy I hope you don’t mind but I rearranged your top 15 list. Ask me again after 10 minutes I could easily change the order again and again 😂 1. Vista Ridge (7) reigning 6a State Champ* 2. Ronald Reagan 3. Hebron 4. Vandegrift (6) 5. Leander (9) 6. Flower Mound (1) 7. Marcus (4) 8. CTJ (5) 9. Woodlands (8) 10. Cedar Ridge 11. Keller 12. Cedar Park 13. James Bowie 14. Round Rock 15. LD Bell 16. Coppel I can also think of about 10+more Texas programs that can easily final at GN pre 2019 and countless other SA middle bubble bands that can final In almost all out of state BOA Regionals
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2020 22:37:50 GMT -6
Best guess at Georgia:
I tried to include lesser known bands that don’t normally compete in BOA
1. Harrison 2. Kennesaw Mountain 3. Walton 4. Pope 5. Mill Creek 6. Milton 7. Hillgrove 8. Kell 9. Lambert 10. East Coweta 11. Jackson County Comprehensive 12. Lassiter 13. North Cobb 14. Forsyth Central 15. River Ridge 16. Ola 17. Sequoyah 18. Allatoona 19. Rome 20. Mceachern
Honorable mention: Chattahoochee for making semis at nats
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Post by ilikeguard on Jan 26, 2020 0:00:05 GMT -6
Best guess at Georgia: I tried to include lesser known bands that don’t normally compete in BOA 1. Harrison 2. Kennesaw Mountain 3. Walton 4. Pope 5. Mill Creek 6. Milton 7. Hillgrove 8. Kell 9. Lambert 10. East Coweta 11. Jackson County Comprehensive 12. Lassiter 13. North Cobb 14. Forsyth Central 15. River Ridge 16. Ola 17. Sequoyah 18. Allatoona 19. Rome 20. Mceachern Honorable mention: Chattahoochee for making semis at nats How many of these groups compete outside of Georgia/the East Coast? You don’t hear about many of them. Most of the ones I recognize I only remember from when I competed at Powder Springs in high school. My very first BOA friend was from Milton, and we still talk frequently. There’s nothing quite like breaking ranks at retreat!
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Post by verysaxy on Jan 26, 2020 7:12:33 GMT -6
Best guess at Georgia: I tried to include lesser known bands that don’t normally compete in BOA 1. Harrison 2. Kennesaw Mountain 3. Walton 4. Pope 5. Mill Creek 6. Milton 7. Hillgrove 8. Kell 9. Lambert 10. East Coweta 11. Jackson County Comprehensive 12. Lassiter 13. North Cobb 14. Forsyth Central 15. River Ridge 16. Ola 17. Sequoyah 18. Allatoona 19. Rome 20. Mceachern Honorable mention: Chattahoochee for making semis at nats That’s quite low for Lassiter, a past national champion! I’ve voiced my opinion that most of the top programs in GA are declining, fast. I did not know Lassiter was tumbling downhill in that manor, what happened to the program? Director switches? I am also curious what happened to Kennesaw and Harrison. I saw Harrison at nats, and just like Castle, the performance is there but the show design just isn’t. Not very impressed with the design of these recent GN finalists over this last season. Yet again, no offense to Castle OR Harrison, their students are AMAZING!
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Post by jeremiah on Jan 26, 2020 11:28:53 GMT -6
New design team this year, not sure if I am allowed to tell who. yup very exciting changes in design
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Post by principalagent on Jan 27, 2020 12:46:55 GMT -6
yup very exciting changes in design Who has done them in the past? Mike Anderson and Becca Sullens
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Post by LeanderMomma on Jan 27, 2020 19:33:18 GMT -6
Post-2019 top Texas bands (from the perspective of a northerner) 1. Flower Mound 2. Ronald Reagan 3. Hebron 4. Marcus 5. CTJ 6. Vandegrift 7. Vista Ridge 8. The Woodlands 9. Leander 10. Cedar Ridge 11. Keller 12. Cedar Park 13. James Bowie 14. Round Rock 15. LD Bell ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴅᴏɴᴛ ᴄʀᴜᴄɪғʏ ᴍᴇ You could put the top 10 in a hat and pick them out one by one and no matter what combination, someone would crucify you for it... and it’d probably still be fairly accurate. There’s just too much talent in the country of Texas for us northerners to keep up with Ha...the country of Texas. 😂 Hey ain’t you a Southern girl? (Tho I realize most every state is north of here. 😁)
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Post by ilikeguard on Jan 27, 2020 19:50:38 GMT -6
You could put the top 10 in a hat and pick them out one by one and no matter what combination, someone would crucify you for it... and it’d probably still be fairly accurate. There’s just too much talent in the country of Texas for us northerners to keep up with Ha...the country of Texas. 😂 Hey ain’t you a Southern girl? (Tho I realize most every state is north of here. 😁) I currently live in Missouri, but being a military brat gave me the opportunity to live all over the country! I lived in Burkburnett for a while and I've always craved that Texan energy. I visited San Antonio last year and I'm ready to go back!
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Post by LeanderMomma on Jan 27, 2020 20:09:14 GMT -6
Ha...the country of Texas. 😂 Hey ain’t you a Southern girl? (Tho I realize most every state is north of here. 😁) I currently live in Missouri, but being a military brat gave me the opportunity to live all over the country! I lived in Burkburnett for a while and I've always craved that Texan energy. I visited San Antonio last year and I'm ready to go back! Come to BOA San Antonio this fall and hang out with the TXBands crew!
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Post by ilikeguard on Jan 27, 2020 20:16:04 GMT -6
I currently live in Missouri, but being a military brat gave me the opportunity to live all over the country! I lived in Burkburnett for a while and I've always craved that Texan energy. I visited San Antonio last year and I'm ready to go back! Come to BOA San Antonio this fall and hang out with the TXBands crew! If only! It's a little too far and expensive for a college student. We don't have a game that weekend, though, so I'll definitely stream it!
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Post by boahistorybuff on Jan 29, 2020 19:19:43 GMT -6
So for Michigan for 2019, this is how I would rank the top ten.
1. Rockford 2. Lake Orion 3. Plymouth-Canton 4. Jenison 5. Walled Lake Central 6. Reeths-Puffer 7. Grand Blanc 8. L'Anse Creuse 9. Novi 10. Grandville
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Post by Subito Fortissimo on Jan 29, 2020 21:50:11 GMT -6
So for Michigan for 2019, this is how I would rank the top ten. 1. Rockford 2. Lake Orion 3. Plymouth-Canton 4. Jenison 5. Walled Lake Central 6. Reeths-Puffer 7. Grand Blanc 8. L'Anse Creuse 9. Novi 10. Grandville What ever happened to West Bloomfield? IIRC they made semis at least a couple times in the 2000's and seemed to have a ton of potential.
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Post by boahistorybuff on Jan 30, 2020 9:44:04 GMT -6
So for Michigan for 2019, this is how I would rank the top ten. 1. Rockford 2. Lake Orion 3. Plymouth-Canton 4. Jenison 5. Walled Lake Central 6. Reeths-Puffer 7. Grand Blanc 8. L'Anse Creuse 9. Novi 10. Grandville What ever happened to West Bloomfield? IIRC they made semis at least a couple times in the 2000's and seemed to have a ton of potential. In the mid 2000s they got some new staff and directors who set goals to bring West Bloomfield up to a state power and to have success at BOA. One of the assistant directors they hired was Andrew Markworth. In 2008, they won the Flight 1 state title, beating PCEP, and placed in the top 20 in Grand National semi finals. At the time their band was growing and I expected them to continue to improve. Over the next few years they started loosing staff, including Andrew Markworth. I am not sure what the reason was. They then slowly started sliding back down in placement over the next few years. West Bloomfield has competed in the Michigan Competitive Circuit, MCBA, going all the way back into the 80s. Despite their school size, they usually had a small band and generally placed near the bottom of the large school flight. The exception was the late 2000s/early 2010s. A school from an affluent community, I have always wondered why they did not have a longer period of success.
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Post by Subito Fortissimo on Jan 30, 2020 21:19:55 GMT -6
What ever happened to West Bloomfield? IIRC they made semis at least a couple times in the 2000's and seemed to have a ton of potential. In the mid 2000s they got some new staff and directors who set goals to bring West Bloomfield up to a state power and to have success at BOA. One of the assistant directors they hired was Andrew Markworth. In 2008, they won the Flight 1 state title, beating PCEP, and placed in the top 20 in Grand National semi finals. At the time their band was growing and I expected them to continue to improve. Over the next few years they started loosing staff, including Andrew Markworth. I am not sure what the reason was. They then slowly started sliding back down in placement over the next few years. West Bloomfield has competed in the Michigan Competitive Circuit, MCBA, going all the way back into the 80s. Despite their school size, they usually had a small band and generally placed near the bottom of the large school flight. The exception was the late 2000s/early 2010s. A school from an affluent community, I have always wondered why they did not have a longer period of success. Interesting. I did not realize that was where Andrew Markworth went after he left Centerville.
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Post by boahistorybuff on Jan 30, 2020 22:41:31 GMT -6
In the mid 2000s they got some new staff and directors who set goals to bring West Bloomfield up to a state power and to have success at BOA. One of the assistant directors they hired was Andrew Markworth. In 2008, they won the Flight 1 state title, beating PCEP, and placed in the top 20 in Grand National semi finals. At the time their band was growing and I expected them to continue to improve. Over the next few years they started loosing staff, including Andrew Markworth. I am not sure what the reason was. They then slowly started sliding back down in placement over the next few years. West Bloomfield has competed in the Michigan Competitive Circuit, MCBA, going all the way back into the 80s. Despite their school size, they usually had a small band and generally placed near the bottom of the large school flight. The exception was the late 2000s/early 2010s. A school from an affluent community, I have always wondered why they did not have a longer period of success. Interesting. I did not realize that was where Andrew Markworth went after he left Centerville. I think he was only there two or three years. He was the percussion director.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 9, 2020 21:15:43 GMT -6
I didn’t wanna make a whole separate thread but I wanna talk about why there are just some counties/districts that are just filled with good bands while the rest are just kinda sporadically spread out, is it really just that those certain districts just put more effort into music or is it something else that makes those specific kids so good?
Ex. Leander ISD, Lewisville ISD, some other Texas ones like NEISD, Round Rock ISD, and Cy-Fair ISD (to an extent), and Cobb County in Georgia
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Post by Shroom on Feb 9, 2020 21:30:00 GMT -6
I didn’t wanna make a whole separate thread but I wanna talk about why there are just some counties/districts that are just filled with good bands while the rest are just kinda sporadically spread out, is it really just that those certain districts just put more effort into music or is it something else that makes those specific kids so good? Ex. Leander ISD, Lewisville ISD, some other Texas ones like NEISD, Round Rock ISD, and Cy-Fair ISD (to an extent), and Cobb County in Georgia I'd guess that it's largely be based off of how much money is allocated to the Arts, and how the culture of the area is regarding MB. Like if MB something that's established and a part of the community, like in the districts you listed, it would make sense that kids are getting into band earlier and are more exposed to BOA and MB in general than kids in other areas.
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Post by paddy on Feb 9, 2020 21:51:11 GMT -6
It can be boiled down to leadership, culture (closely related to leadership) and resources.
Places that put together great programs have all 3.
Indiana-centric examples because that is what I know...
Carmel has all 3, but right next door is Zionsville who has more resources (in the way of affluent families), but lacks leadership. On the other side of Carmel is Hamilton Southeastern Schools with 2 very large high schools. One is very good (Fishers) and one isn’t (HSE). They both have the resources, but Fishers found a leadership team to build the culture.
Just southeast of that area you have 3 Hancock County schools that are very similar in size and resources but only one is a legitimate band program in all phases. That one has the best leadership by far in spite of being the least affluent of the 3.
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Post by kvbrass on Feb 9, 2020 21:54:24 GMT -6
This is a cool thread. What states are missing? I want to play but not repeat.
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Post by verysaxy on Feb 10, 2020 6:09:58 GMT -6
I would say for Kentucky, Fayette County is the top spot. Lafayette is the reigning best band in Kentucky and the only other “top” bands are MC & NH. Fayette County hosts Henry Clay, Dunbar (frequent state finalist) Tate’s Creek, and Lafayette. The clear leaders in Kentucky are the “big 3”, just and I’m sure IN has the “big 2”, and so on. In this situation, I find that Lafayette is the only on with all three. They have the leadership, the resources, and the culture. From what I’ve heard, Madison Central lacks the leadership, and North Hardin lacks the resources (no surprise there). Coming from a very, for lack of better terms, poor area (poor, but there is definitely poorer), NH lacks financials sometimes. Coming off a 3-Pete state championship run, Madison Central took a big dip these past few years, and all I’ve heard and can assume is the leadership. Anyways, yeah, Fayette County, KY (Lexington) is probably the top area for bands, just based off the fact that they host the most successful schools in KMEA and BOA. Coincidentally, Lexington is one of the richest and most expensive places to live in Kentucky.
I feel as if for some states, there isn’t a central location as to where the best bands are. For example, TN has two clear front runners, and Franklin is closer to Nashville and DB is closer to Knoxville. I would have Missouri as Kansas City, just because of Blue Springs/South, and Grain Valley. Camdenton is pretty far out there, though. Could anyone give us some insight on Illinois? Are they spread out like TN or all pretty contained like Cobb Co, GA?
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Post by Shroom on Feb 10, 2020 7:35:43 GMT -6
Could anyone give us some insight on Illinois? Are they spread out like TN or all pretty contained like Cobb Co, GA? In Illinois most bands are concentrated in the Chicagoland area (Lincoln-Way, Marian Catholic, Lockport, Prospect...), but are spread out into different districts and/or counties. Down south however you do have O'Fallon and Bellville East in St. Clair county, so I'd say it's pretty spread out in Illinois
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Post by notinband on Feb 10, 2020 8:58:33 GMT -6
Could anyone give us some insight on Illinois? Are they spread out like TN or all pretty contained like Cobb Co, GA? In Illinois most bands are concentrated in the Chicagoland area (Lincoln-Way, Marian Catholic, Lockport, Prospect...), but are spread out into different districts and/or counties. Down south however you do have O'Fallon and Bellville East in St. Clair county, so I'd say it's pretty spread out in Illinois A few weeks ago I posted my top 10 from Illinois. Romeoville, Lockport Township, Lincoln-Way, and Victor J. Andrew are all in adjacent school districts in the SW suburbs. Edited to add - John Hersey and Prospect are adjacent high schools in the NW Suburbs. Downers Grove South is north of the first four mentioned, and Marian Catholic is in the south suburbs, not too far east of the first four.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2020 9:03:20 GMT -6
pretty contained like Cobb Co, GA?
The only real BOA bands outside of cobb are Milton (in the county right next to cobb), Mill creek (other side of the ATL metro), and Jackson county comprehensive/Ola which are both pretty far out
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Post by QuadSquad03 on Feb 10, 2020 16:58:30 GMT -6
In Oklahoma, Tulsa county has most of the top bands. Broken Arrow, Union, Jenks, Bixby, Owasso, and Coweta are the most prominent. All of Oklahoma's "Fab 5" are in Tulsa county. Outside of Tulsa, Oklahoma City and it's surrounding area has the second greatest concentration of bands, though they are not as well known (Mustang being the exception). Edmond North, Southmoore, Choctaw, and Mustang are the most well known there.
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Post by verysaxy on Feb 10, 2020 20:33:43 GMT -6
I think Mustang should be in the Fab 5 over Coweta, but I just think even without Cartwright Mustang could beat a mid-season 75 (Coweta @ AZ)
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Post by ilikeguard on Feb 10, 2020 22:09:11 GMT -6
I think Mustang should be in the Fab 5 over Coweta, but I just think even without Cartwright Mustang could beat a mid-season 75 (Coweta @ AZ) I attended OBA 6A this year and I agree with this 100%
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