---
title: "Five Rock Hill-Area Bands Reach 5A State Marching Final"
url: https://www.hererockhill.com/2026/10/25/rock-hill-region-bands-5a-state-marching-final/
date: 2026-10-25T07:31:18-04:00
modified: 2026-10-25T07:31:18-04:00
author: "Hannah Ford"
categories: ["Education"]
site: "HERE Rock Hill"
attribution: "HERE Rock Hill"
---

# Five Rock Hill-Area Bands Reach 5A State Marching Final

> LEXINGTON, S.C. — Every band from the Rock Hill region that entered the 5A state marching band championship on Saturday earned a place in the night final at River Bluff High School in Lexington, the host site, where two Fort Mill programs finished one and two. Nation Ford claimed the state crown over Catawba Ridge

*Source: [HERE Rock Hill](https://www.hererockhill.com/2026/10/25/rock-hill-region-bands-5a-state-marching-final/) — October 25, 2026 by Hannah Ford*

LEXINGTON, S.C. — Every band from the Rock Hill region that entered the 5A state marching band championship on Saturday earned a place in the night final at River Bluff High School in Lexington, the host site, where two Fort Mill programs finished one and two.

Nation Ford claimed the state crown over Catawba Ridge by two-tenths of a point, its third consecutive 5A title and 12th overall. Judges gave Catawba Ridge the music and overall effect captions, while Nation Ford took visual performance. Earlier in the day Nation Ford had also won the upper state contest.

Indian Land placed fifth in the final. Northwestern High, the 2008 title winner, came in sixth, and Rock Hill High placed 12th.

Both Rock Hill schools march in 5A this fall under the state band directors association realignment, which is redone every two years from state education department enrollment counts. That list puts Rock Hill High at 1,859 students and Northwestern at 1,798, both in the Upper State half of the class.

The season is not over for the area. Two more county schools, Clover and York, go to Blythewood High School on Oct. 31 for the 4A contest. Fort Mill High, now a 6A band, competes Nov. 7 at South Carolina State University.