They wanted more — and they got it Monday, as the FHS Band clinched the 1A State Marching Championship title at the Alamodome in San Antonio, defeating defending champion Sundown with nine-out-of-10 votes for the first-place spot.

“It’s such a wonderful feeling,” said FHS Band Director Jim Rhodes. “Last time, we came in second place behind Sundown, so to be able to knock them out of the top spot this year just made it all the sweeter.”

Having competing early Monday morning in the preliminary competition, and again that evening, Rhodes said he and the rest of the band held its breath as the top three spots were announced.

“They announced the third place spot, and everything just got quiet,” said Rhodes. “Then, they announced the second-place spot, which was Sundown, and everyone just looked at each other and held their breath. At that point we knew we either didn’t place, or we were going to take the top spot. When they announced we had won the top spot, the whole place just erupted.”

Sophomore Evan Burton, who plays the French horn in the band, said the feeling was simply “indescribable.”

“When you step onto that field, it’s almost like you’re playing the half-time show at the Super Bowl,” said Burton, who has been involved in band since sixth grade. “It’s indescribable. Everything was just beyond comparison.”

When asked how it felt to take the state title from Sundown, Burton answered by raising the cell phone he was talking on above his head and yelling to the rest of the students on the bus, “Hey, the Herald wants to know how it feels to win the state championship!”

The cheering, screaming and whistling that followed was nothing short of deafening.

“We’ve worked really hard for this,” said Burton. “We managed to get nine votes out of 10 for first place. It just all came together, the band, Mr. Rhodes. It was just unbelievable.”

And while the band and its supporters are certainly due a celebration, Rhodes said there is still plenty for him and his students to do.

“We’ll be right back into football,” said Rhodes. “The band will also perform at the TMEA Honor Band Concert in San Antonio next February.”

Monday marked Rhodes’ fifth trip to the state finals — which are only held every two years — in the past decade, a milestone the band director said is certainly not lost on him.

“It’s a big deal,” said Rhodes sheepishly. “To win the state sitting concert earlier this year, and then turn around and win the state marching contest — I’m not sure if that’s ever been done before. We’re just happy to have the chance to represent our school, Howard County and West Texas. But we still have plenty to do. We’ll be busy, but it’s a good busy.”

Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at