The BOA Regional in the Middle Tennessee area has moved around geographically since its inception in 2004, taking place as far north as Richmond, KY, and as far south as Murfreesboro, TN. However, it has stayed at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN since 2015, except for 2019 and the COVID year in 2020.
This year’s edition features 18 groups from 8 different states, including 4 of last year's finalists, as well as the only two bands to have won since this competition became a regular fixture on the Fall Schedule in 2015, #22 Castle (IN) and O’Fallon Township (IL).
The Prelims schedule is as follows:
(all times CT)
11:30 AM — Green Hill (TN)
11:45 AM — Mt. Juliet (TN)
12:00 PM — Ravenwood (TN)
12:15 PM — Oakville (MO)
12:30 PM— Meade County (KY)
12:45 PM — Bartlett (TN)*
1:00 PM — Siegel (TN)
1:15 PM — Evansville Central (IN)
1:30 PM — Jefferson (GA)
BREAK
2:30 PM — Murray (KY)
2:45 PM — Cabot (AR)
3:00 PM — Pulaski County (KY)
3:15 PM — O'Fallon Township (IL)
3:30 PM — DeSoto Central (MS)*
3:45 PM — Paragould (AR)*
4:00 PM — Anderson County (KY)
4:15 PM — Castle (IN)*
4:30 PM — Exhibition: Austin Peay State University (TN)
*denotes returning program from last year
In the first block, some of the strongest programs in the Greater Nashville area are attending, with Mt. Juliet (TN) looking to have a solid start to a season that will end up at the USBands Southern Championship in Huntsville, AL. Siegel (TN) will be finishing up at the MTSU Contest of Champions, considered by many as the de facto Tennessee State Championships. Their head director, David Aydelott, was the director at Franklin (TN) during their rise to prominence in the early 2010s, so they’re a program to look out for over the coming years. Additionally, at last year’s Contest of Champions, Siegel was the highest placing Tennessee program, behind only Pope (GA) overall.
In the second block, former finalist Paragould (AR) will be coming back. They’re hoping for a stronger result than last year, dropping from 8th overall in Prelims to 12th in finals. DeSoto Central (MS) will also look to repeat or surpass their 4th place finish from last year. They were a Grand National Semifinalist in 2016, though they were just over 2 points short of advancing to Semis in 2021. Both are capable of putting on a solid performance and placing in the top half, especially considering Lincoln-Way Community (IL) and Franklin (TN), the 2nd and 3rd place groups from last year, have chosen not to return.
Clarksville will be a competitive contest for the opening weekend, and three former Grand National Finalists will be here. These are the two former champions mentioned above and Murray (KY). This show will be O’Fallon Township’s first competitive performance of the year, and Castle and Murray’s second following local shows. All three are headed back to Grand Nationals this year, with Murray looking to defend their Class A National Championship.
With such a strong lineup, this is a show to watch closely, as these programs always perform outstandingly. You just might see one or two of them on a Saturday night in November in Indianapolis…
Saturday Night Lights is currently GEM’s Managing Editor. He has been involved in the Pageantry Arts for over a decade, as a performer at the highest level, an instructor, and a fan. You can find him on Twitter at @SatNightLites. He currently lives in Florida with his partner and their two dogs.