July 18th, 2013 4:44pm
Hey guys! I haven't written an article in a while, which I apologize for. Sometimes life gets in the way of things. Anyway, here are some early Finals night projections and observations!
First, a few notes.
1. Every single group is likely to end up with a lower score than in this because of the way the rankings are calculated.
2. These scores are calculated with a specific formula that I use for every group. Favoritism and bias are impossible in the rankings.
3. Hopefully I haven't offended anyone. Sorry in advance if I managed to do that!
Division I
1. The Marching Lords - 98.360
2. Robinson Ram Band - 98.110
3. Silver Falcon MB - 97.170
4. The Marching Marchers - 96.645
5. The Tullahoma Azure Echo - 96.640
6. Spirit of Westchestertonfieldville - 96.325
7. Black and Blue Crew - 95.515
8. The Marching Figments - 94.270
9. Marching Knights - 93.655
10. Pacific Northwest HS - 91.860
11. Hanover Marching Knights - 90.420
12. Artistry in Motion - 85.190
Looking in
Silver Panther MB - 83.990
Lakewood Ranch Marching Mustangs - 83.015
Teen Titans - 82.520
Division II
1. dunkirk murauders - 94.770
2. Insanity - 92.725
3. Band of Gold - 90.195
4. Northwest Florida HS - 83.585
5. Titans - 82.395
6. BHS MB - 80.495
7. Commonwealth Arts Academy HS Band - 79.245
8. Knights Templar - 78.040
9. Pride of Bluegrass - 77.920
10. Bueno Bueno - 77.905
11. Washington - 77.730
12. Marching Royal Dukes - 77.705
Looking in
The Nightingales - 77.100
BG Majestics - 72.150
Eastern Sounds - 70.160
Band of Hannaford Brothers - 70.015
Division III
1. Louisville Legion - 101.455
2. Clovis Marching Symphony - 88.605
3. Raider Regiment - 77.125
4. Marching Crusaders - 76.135
5. Disney University Collegiate MB - 75.935
6. Letcher Central Marching Cougars - 75.445
7. Motor City Vanguard - 69.070
8. The Amazing Knights - 68.110
9. Marching Zebras - 66.580
10. Screaming Banshees - 65.000
11. Marching Panthers - 64.740
12. Maroon Stars Outdoor Performance Ensemble - 60.030
Looking in
Turner Knights - 59.500
Virginia Episcopal - 59.545
Colts - 57.200
Oak Forest - 56.420
Items of Note
DI
1. The battle for the Gold is shaping up to be a great one - The Marching Lords and the Robinson Ram Band are tracking to finish neck and neck. Silver Falcon will always be a factor, and there is really no telling where in the top six The Marching Marchers will be. The Southern Second XXVI on July 20th (which features five of the current top six, plus The Marching Marchers) should be telling.
2. Artistry in Motion (from KMEA) continues to climb up the rankings. They look to make their second ever Finals appearance (Season 25)
3. Black and Blue Crew has been on fire recently, picking up an average of a full point per day over the last eight days. Can they keep it up?
DII
1. The top three groups are starting to create massive point spreads. If they all keep up their current pace, nobody will knock them out of the Medalist positions.
2. Titans, Northwest Florida HS, BHS MB, and Commonwealth Arts Academy H.S. Band, currently ranked 9-12, should occupy the 4-7 spots on Finals nights. This could be one of the more interesting battles to watch.
3. Another interesting battle should be for the final spot in the top 12 on Semifinals night. Knights Templar, Pride of Bluegrass, Bueno Bueno, Washington, Marching Royal Dukes, and The Nightingales are all scoring within hundredths of each other and could be separated by less than a point collectively.
DIII.
1. No, the Louisville Legion score is not a typo.
2. Clovis Marching Symphony, who hasn't competed since Season 3 and has one DIII Finals appearance (11th place in Season 2), is shocking the world in their first season back since the early days of this version of FMA. This group could be one to watch for in DI if they begin to gain some momentum!
3. Marching Zebras, currently listed as inactive, are on the verge of pulling off an amazing feat - they could finish top ten without even trying!