Long hours starting August 4 all cumulated in one competition performance for the Bison Brigade Wednesday. Competing at Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, the band was hoping for a top rating, but came away with a four.

“We had some really good competition because of the fact that there were several state-ranked bands there,” drum major Gracie Davis said. “However we didn’t let that phase us; we gave our all, and did the best show that we have performed so far.”

After the high of coming off of the field with a good performance, the low rating stung a little.

“I do wish that we had got a better rank,” freshmen Natalie Uptmor said. “However, we did the very best we could and we are all proud of ourselves.”

The band, which includes seventh- and eighth-grade students, gave what director Jeff Villarreal said was their best performance to date.

“We performed a fun and exciting show, and did the best we ever had,” Villarreal said. “The band has come so far. It’s hard to build a band in our region because we’re surrounded by state finalist marching bands. We will get there.”

The students knew when they came off the field that they had done their best.

“Sure we didn’t get a one, but that doesn’t reflect how we did in our hearts,” senior Randy Salazar said. “We came out on top no matter what the judges told us.”