Marching Huskies place third at ACCs
Percussion section garners special award
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HERSHEY -- Flags snapped in the wind. Backdrops swayed. Performers across Hersheypark Stadium spent Saturday fighting the elements as much as they fought for scores.
By day’s end, the Mifflin County High School Marching Huskies had done both successfully.
The Huskies overcame challenging conditions and a talented field of competitors to earn a third-place finish and the Best Percussion Award at the Tournament of Bands Atlantic Coast Championships in Group 3-A.
The Atlantic Coast Championships bring together some of the top marching bands from multiple states, giving students an opportunity to compete against programs they rarely encounter during the regular season. This year’s competition featured a tightly packed field where every point mattered.
Those gusting winds quickly became one of the day’s biggest storylines. Band after band battled difficult conditions throughout the competition as flags, rifles and visual elements were impacted by the swirling breeze inside Hersheypark Stadium. Spectators wondered how performers would adapt, particularly color guards whose routines rely on precision tosses and catches.
When it came time for Mifflin County’s performance, the Marching Huskies met the challenge head-on. The band delivered one of its strongest performances of the season despite the weather, showcasing the months of preparation and dedication that led them to one of the final competitions of the year.
When the scores were announced, the margin between the top-three finishers was razor-thin -- with just 1.27 points separating the bands. Mountain Ridge High School (Md.) captured the championship with a score of 91.22 points, while DuBois Area High School, the recently crowned Pennsylvania state champions, finished second at 90.69. Mifflin County was close behind in third place at 89.95.
In addition to its third-place finish, Mifflin County earned the Best Percussion Award, recognizing the strength of a section that played a key role in the band’s success throughout the season.
Mifflin County Director of Bands Brandon Kahley said the students had plenty to celebrate following their final performance.
“The students did an amazing job at our ACC competition this weekend,” Kahley said. “The scores were very close and the students were very proud of what they put on the field. I couldn’t be more proud of how hard they worked to put their best show on the field.”
For many students, the performance marked the culmination of months of rehearsals, travel and competition. Their effort paid off with a finish among the elite bands attending the championship.
Kahley said the accomplishments were made possible not only by the students on the field but also by the many supporters working behind the scenes throughout the season.
“I want to thank all of our band boosters and parent volunteers, as they really helped a ton this year as always,” Kahley added. “I would also like to thank the students for working so hard this year. They were happy with their final performance of the show and I also was more than proud of each and every one of them.”
While the championship trophy ultimately went home with Mountain Ridge, the Marching Huskies left Hershey with a strong finish, a percussion title and the satisfaction of knowing they had risen to one of the toughest challenges of the season.
On a day when the wind tested every band that took the field, Mifflin County never lost its footing. Instead, the Marching Huskies showed the composure, talent and determination that carried them through the season, ending the year with an award-winning performance and a place among the Atlantic Coast Championships’ top three finishers.
Norris earns scholarship
Mifflin County High School Marching Huskies senior Alessa Norris won a Tournament of Bands scholarship for $6,000. Kahley said serniors could apply for the scholarship earlier in the year, and Norris was selected as this year’s winner.