COAL GROVE –– This past weekend, the marching bands of Dawson-Bryant and South Point High Schools received superior ratings at the Ohio Music Educator’s Association state finals at Hilliard Bradley High School in Hilliard.

“Our band received a No. 1 superior rating for the first time in school history,” Steve Easterling, superintendent of Dawson-Bryant Schools, said. “It’s a great bunch of kids and the band has wonderful support from parents, family and the community. It’s good for our community and our schools.”

The South Point band was ahead of schedule this year and received the rating sooner than band director Dave Edwards expected.

“We’re a young group,” Edwards said. “I thought this year would be a year to rebuild and reload, but we greatly surprised myself and the staff. The band this year is as good if not better than any other year since I’ve been here.”

Edwards has been the band director at South Point for five years.

“The kids work hard every day and it paid off,” superintendent of South Point Schools Mark Christian said. “They’re an awesome band that’s been tearing it up. The district is really proud of them.”

A call to Dawson-Bryant band director Tom Zerkle was not returned by presstime.