2017 Clarksville Regional


Prelims Results
(View full recap here)

Class A
1. Adair County H.S., KY
2. Saint James School, AL
Music: Adair County H.S., KY
Visual: Adair County H.S., KY
GE: Adair County H.S., KY

Class AA
1. North Hardin H.S., KY
2. Ft. Zumwalt North H.S., MO
3. Clinton H.S., MS
Music: North Hardin H.S., KY
Visual: North Hardin H.S., KY
GE: North Hardin H.S., KY

Class AAA
1. Castle H.S., IN
2. Franklin H.S., TN
3. Siegel H.S., TN
Music: Castle H.S., IN
Visual: Castle H.S., IN
GE: Castle H.S., IN

Class AAAA
1. Belleville East H.S., IL
2. Fayetteville H.S., AR
Music: Belleville East H.S., IL
Visual: (tie) Belleville East H.S., IL
and Fayetteville H.S., AR
GE: Belleville East H.S., IL

Finals Results
(View full recap here)

1. (77.65) Castle H.S., IN
2. (75.05) Franklin H.S., TN
3. (74.50) North Hardin H.S., KY
4. (73.55) Adair County H.S., KY
5. (71.15) Ft. Zumwalt North H.S., MO
6. (68.55) Central Hardin H.S., KY
7. (68.30) Clinton H.S., MS
8. (67.60) DeSoto Central H.S., MS
9. (66.80) Siegel H.S., TN
10. (64.85) Belleville East H.S., IL
11. (64.05) Paragould H.S., AR

Music: Castle H.S., IN
Visual: Castle H.S., IN
GE: Castle H.S., IN

Returning 2016 Finalists (9)
1. Castle H.S., IN
2. Franklin H.S., TN
3. North Hardin H.S., KY
4. Central Hardin H.S., KY
5. DeSoto Central H.S., MS
6. Russell County H.S., KY
7. Paragould H.S., AR
8. Adair County H.S., KY
9. Ravenwood H.S., TN

Previous Champions
2016: Castle H.S., IN
2015: O’Fallon Township H.S., IL
2014: Castle H.S., IN

States Represented (8)
Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee.

The 2017 Clarksville, Tennessee, Regional was held Sept. 23 at Austin Peay State University. Castle won another regional champion title, beating out Franklin and North Hardin.

Pre-competition Analysis
This year’s regional will feature nine of ten returning finalists. That’s one of the highest retention rates from any previous year’s regional finalist line up. With so many experienced groups returning, we expect to see an increased level of competition both for a finals spot and among the finalists.

Castle performs at the Clarksville Regional on Sept. 24, 2016, at Austin Peay State University. // Photo by Jeremiah Wooten
Castle looks to repeat as regional champion. The group had an incredible season in 2016, resulting in the band’s first ever appearance in Grand Nationals Finals. Castle edged out Franklin at last year’s Clarksville Regional by less than half a point and increased that lead throughout the season. It’s exciting to see these two groups push each other, and they seem to have formed a friendly rivalry over the past few years. This should be an interesting early season indicator of what these two programs are capable of accomplishing.

Not far behind these two frontrunners, we expect to see North Hardin and Fort Zumwalt North. North Hardin finished third at this regional last year and Fort Zumwalt North placed third at last year’s Powder Springs Regional. Powder Springs was headlined by another national finalist: Harrison. Desoto Central and Central Hardin are the next two groups that could make a run for the top five spots. Both bands are looking to build on great performances from 2016.

Ravenwood performs at the Clarksville Regional on Sept. 24, 2016, at Austin Peay State University. // Photo by Jeremiah Wooten
The bubble for this regional will be interesting to watch. Last year, Russell County surprised us by earning a finalist position and going on to earn sixth place in finals. Adair County and Paragould held spots in the bottom half of finals and will most likely remain in that range this year, but either group could push up to the top half. Ravenwood narrowly claimed the last spot in finals by almost half a point over fellow Tennessee band Siegel. Two other locals, McGavock and Ooltewah, have strong histories in the BOA circuit and, with a good year, either could be in finals.

Outside of those expected finalists and finalist contenders, several groups are poised to make a run for the last spot or two in finals. Belleville East, Hardin Valley, and Hopkinsville have had some success in early-season local competitions and could translate that success into a finals spot here.

We will certainly have lots to watch for at the 2016 Clarksville Regional. Be sure to stay up to date by following HornRank on Twitter for instant results!

Predictions
1. Castle H.S., IN
2. Franklin H.S., TN
3. North Hardin H.S., KY
4. Fort Zumwalt North H.S., MO
5. DeSoto Central H.S., MS
6. Central Hardin H.S., KY
7. Ooltewah H.S., TN
8. Paragould H.S., AR
9. Ravenwood H.S., TN
10. Adair County H.S., KY

Adjudication Panel
Music: John Alstrin, Ed Argenziano, Dave Carbone, Chris Ferrell.
Visual: Chris Moss, Randy Nelson, and Kris Quaale.
Chief: John Turner.