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I did not anticipate the scores being so low for a super regional...

I'm thinking Avon wins, but Carmel takes visual. I still don't think Avon will win SA, but they'll be top 4 for sure. Homestead and Castle both brought it tonight. Very very entertaining night to watch.

Have you seen Carmel's 2015 show? That's a good one if you like cats

I would like one too, if anyone has one.

I'm excited. I really do think CTJ has a good shot at winning SA. If they keep up the momentum they've been having this season it's gonna be something really special. I'm also really rooting for Flomo as well - their show is really cool and will make a big statement come Gnats.

I think the spread of CTJ and Timber Creek is interesting - at Midland they were 7.6 points above TC. At Southlake (many weeks earlier), Hebron was 9.85 points above TC and Flomo was 9.45 points above TC. While I doubt Hebron and Flomo are 2 points above CTJ (frame of reference from Southlake to Midland is radically different), it's an interesting comparison to make.

Both the extreme usage of props and the complete lack of props lead to effect. Positive effect if used correctly and negative effect is used poorly. I'm not the biggest fan of Reagan's musical program this year - but the visual GE of having the whole field as a stage for the guard is nothing to sneeze at. I find it interesting when people say that "the kids are the GE" for Reagan this year because their sister school CTJ is using a lot of props this year but I'd say the same thing for them - energy levels from that program really bring a lot of GE imo. CTJ's props make their show very immersive which fits the theme of their show well, while Reagan's lack of props but huge guard leads to similar themed immersion. I don't think props are (or have ever been) a direct source of effect points, just a way to enhance the effect that's being put out by the performers, which both NEISD schools are doing incredibly well this year.

I'd wear it, lol

I'm still firm in Hebron, Flomo, Avon and CTJ as top 4. Order is still debatable at this point.

I dunno, San Diego zoo might give it a run for its money. It'll be interesting to see how this goes for some of the bands that don't normally go to BOA events.

Can't wait to see y'all live in the Alamodome in a month!

With how common ties are becoming I can respect the decision to go so precise.

They could for sure. Their Conroe showing however did hurt them a little. I think they'll be peaking at nats, not here. Trying to name one band from the 5-9 category I think Round Rock could beat... Leander, who they beat at Austin? But Leander in 10th seems just bizarre. Same for Reagan, Vandy, Marcus, and The Woodlands. Not to mention all of this happens a month from now, and anything can happen in a month. It's just SO stacked in all the finals spots that there's just no way to predict exactly how it's all gonna play out. The top 10 at this thing are gonna be just short of insane.

1-4 (alphabetical): Avon CTJ Flomo Hebron 5-9: Leander Reagan Vandegrift Woodlands Marcus 10-14 + Bubble: Bowie Cedar Park Cedar Ridge Churchill Hendrickson Keller Keller Central LD Bell Round Rock Vista Ridge Geez I thought my list was done and then I just had to keep adding. It's going to be an INSANE competition for sure. This is 19 bands competing for 14 finals spots and for sure there are even more that could make it. Predicting an order is going to be extremely difficult.

Looks like all the Gnats groups are playing the long game for sure. Round Rock, Churchill, and Woodlands all placing surprisingly low due to dirtiness shows that they're definitely designing harder shows for the occasion. Some groups benefit from this a lot, but not all. This season sure is gonna be interesting.

I'd imagine the tempo would waver/drop a little with no met, though.

I think it really depends on the year. Often Texas bands seem to collectively be better or worse than usual with a few outliers. The years when Texas bands are the strongest, SA is more competitive than nats. The years when they're not, Nats is more competitive. While I could probably count the number of years SA was more competitive than nats as a whole on one hand, this year does seem to be shaping up to be one of those years. Especially with Avon coming down, and the Texas bands as a whole raising the bar even higher than it has been in the past.

The comment about last year's, while valid, there's a case for the 9th place group at SA jumping to 5th at nationals. This year of all years I would say SA is going to be just as competitive for first as Nationals if not more so. 2013 is another example of a year SA was similar to Gnats. I'd say the past three years this has not been the case, but this year is shaping up to be a LOT more competitive down south than last year. Plus, we haven't even seen Conroe yet.

Depending on what happens at Conroe, there are at least 4 groups fighting for the top spot at SA (any clear dominant winner or close top two at Conroe could be added on). This leaves Avon in a position where 4th is viable. If TWHS and Reagan both pull unusually strong competition at Conroe, then that makes 6 groups contending for the top spot at SA, meaning that (while I doubt it) Avon would be viable to get 6th. As for getting into finals, I'd argue the depth is pretty comparable the top ~25 at SA vs GN semifinals.

Yeah it's going to be exciting to watch everything unfold over these next few weeks.

I wouldn't have said this early in the season but I think there's a chance that Avon doesn't even medal at SA, and we haven't even seen Conroe yet.

Wait, there are people who prefer football games to competitions?!

If only the Alamodome had the logistics of Lucas Oil, then maybe Gnats could be in Texas.

Round Rock beat Leander in Austin finals, so if Leander is a contender to win, Round Rock is too imo. Obviously with Vandegrift beating them both and tying CTJ in Music they're also in the hunt for their second ever regional win. Haven't seen enough of Reagan or TWHS to say for sure where they'll sit relative to the others, but based on history. Depending on what Reagan brings, they could be on track for a threepeat. And of course, never count out The Woodlands. This is your top five I'm guessing. Depending on circumstances, any of them could take it.

Who thinks Timber Creek could beat out Bellevue West at Midland? I'd say they're definitely on track for a very strong showing there.