DCI East (Allentown) | Day One

Bluecoats - 94.625

Blue Devils - 94.275

Blue Knights - 88.650

The Academy - 85.550

Madison Scouts - 84.150

Troopers - 81.825

Colts - 79.900

Spirit of Atlanta - 75.250

Cascades - 72.550

Pioneer - 66.425

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Allentown has been known to be a pivoting point when it comes to a season filled with drum corps, and each day of the two always promise something to look forward to as we move onto the end of the season, as corps slowly make their way back into Indianapolis and Michigan City for the world class and open class championships. Day one of Allentown sure sparked numerous forms of controversy, as many are on the fence on who really will take gold at the end of this year, when taking into account how close Bluecoats and Blue Devils have clashed throughout the season, each rising and falling under the other. Ten corps competed yesterday, each with their own style, show, and ability, yet it certainly made one impressive night for every drum corps fan in attendance.

The first look we should take at is how Madison Scouts will be pushing back into the top 12. Normally about this far into the season, we generally can already tell who will most likely have a spot at finals with usually a gap between 12th and 13th downwards, however this season has spilled numerous wonders and uncertainty among the fans, as many have split their opinions on who will medal, who will make it into top 12, who will outdo who, and et cetera. Currently, Madison has a lead against Troopers, with a 84.15 to 81.825 score difference, yet they near less than a point away from Crossmen. Their small scoring gap can determine between if Madison or Crossmen make into the top 12, and as finals approach, it's still uncertain who will take 12th and 13th place, and we might not know until prelims approaches. As well, Academy has surged with a much more impressive season, as they currently stand 11th in the overall rankings, their highest position in their history of drum corps, with a full point ahead of Madison Scouts. However, above them stands in the current rankings, Boston Crusaders and Blue Stars, 0.025 away from breaking even with them. As we await for their next score, we can only see Academy grow forth more, all while Blue Knights tags close by The Cadets and Phantom Regiment around them.

Bluecoats have normally been the underdog corps, the corps that has appeared multiple times in the championship finals circuit, yet not so often do they medal, but have consistently made their shows so compelling that fans everywhere can name off at least two or three shows that Bluecoats have brought us. Yet, their highest score and placement were reached in 2014, with their program, "Tilt", that placed them at a silvering 2nd place finish with a 97.175. However, during that season, they were noticed to be right behind Blue Devils and The Cadets, until they began to surge an incredible amount and place them less than a point ahead of The Cadets. As it seemed like a 3rd place finish for them, they swept 2nd place right away, installing their place as a fan favorite corps and show in the 2014 season and to present. They were still considerably lower than Blue Devils' top 99.65 score, however this season has made a notable change for them as they have swung back and forth into first and second in the overall rankings and never scoring lower than first or second place in every competition they have competed in this season. After just breaking 90 last week in Nashville, they continue to grow and improve at a rapid place, and as just last night, they lead a point over Blue Devils once again. Will we see how it all plays out this week as finals near.