Accepting awards are, from left: Sarah Hand, Tucker King, Sarah Butler, Brad Gentle, Maddi Timmons, Sam Philips, Mary Filiatrault, Alex Ford, Ally Burgess, Aden Ward, Cody Long, Brandi West, Jessica Bargas, Ben Sexton, Molly Mayfield and Haley King. | Special to the Enquirer

Hartselle High School’s band claimed the title of “Best Overall Band” and Falkville High School’s band took second in class 1A at the Mud Creek Marching Festival in Hanceville Oct. 11.

Both bands received all superior ratings throughout the day.

Hartselle was the Gold Division winner for class 3A and 4A bands, which is determined by averaging all the band’s scores. Falkville was ranked fifth in the Silver Division for 1A and 2A bands.

HHS was also named Best in Class Drum Major, and drum major Ally Burgess placing fourth overall with a score of 94. Percussion placed third overall with a 96.5 and were named Best in Class Percussion. Hartselle received Best in Class Majorette, and the majorettes had the overall high score with a 96.5. Color guard placed third overall with a 93 and placed second in 3A. The band had the second highest score of the day receiving a 91,92 and 97 for an average of 93.33, earning them Best in Class Band.

Hartselle band director Randall Key said he was very pleased with the way Hartselle performed.

“I was very proud of their consistency across the board,” Key said. “I usually tell them to aim for the top three in competitions of this size, but they out did that. I thought they scored well for such a young group.”

Falkville received overall scores of 93, 92 and 94, giving them an average of 93. Drum major Kelly Lockhamy scored a 91, earning a third place ranking out of the ten bands in class 1A. Their color guard placed fourth in their class with an 87.

Falkville band director Bradley Phillips said his young band exceeded his expectations.

“I was really surprised at how highly they ranked,” Phillips said. “I knew they were capable of doing well, but I was still a excited since they are mostly middle schoolers. They also had a lot of stiff competition, but they have done very well in these last two competitions against some consistently strong bands.”

Key said Hartselle had not been to the Mud Creek Marching Festival since 2007.

“We try to go to different competitions each year, so we are competing against other Morgan County bands too often,” Key said. “We like to repay those who come to the Southern Hospitality competition by going to one of their competitions. This was the last competition this year, but our year isn’t over yet. We still have the Veteran’s Day parade in Hartselle, the Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia, our Christmas concert, the Christmas Parade and of course we will still be supporting our tigers throughout the rest of football season.”