Eagle Pass C. C. Winn Thundering Maverick Band and Color Guard Conclude First State Open Marching Band Competition After Preliminary Round

By Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2026 Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

The Eagle Pass C.C. Winn High School Thundering Maverick Band and Color Guard concluded its first appearance at the UIL Class 5A State Open Marching Band Contest on Monday, November 2, 2026 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, competing in the preliminary round but did not qualify for the state finals despite a beautiful, precision performance among the elite music programs in Texas.

The performance capped a successful marching season that carried the Eagle Pass Winn musicians and color guard members through regional and area competition to a place among Texas’ top Class 5A bands.

Although the Mavericks did not advance to the next round, their first state appearance represented a historic accomplishment for the school and an opportunity to represent the Eagle Pass community on a statewide stage, demonstrating the talent and musicianship of Eagle Pass students.

C.C. Winn earned its state berth after placing second at the UIL Class 5A Area H Marching Band Contest on Saturday, October 24, at D.W. Rutledge Stadium in Converse, Texas.

The Mavericks finished first among 24 bands in the area preliminary round before earning second place in the Area finals, securing their advancement to the State UIL 5A competition in San Antonio.

At state, the band and color guard performed admirably against qualifying programs from across Texas, with the preliminary round determining which ensembles would continue to the championship finals scheduled for Tuesday, November 3.

The road to the Alamodome required months of rehearsals, musical preparation and coordination between the musicians and color guard. Each performance brought together musical execution, marching precision and visual presentation.

For the Winn students, directors and color guard staff, reaching state established a new achievement for the program and provided experience competing at the highest level of UIL marching competition.

Families, school supporters and community members followed the Mavericks’ journey as they carried C.C. Winn’s name beyond Eagle Pass and into the state contest.

Their season ended in the preliminary round, but the Thundering Maverick Band and Color Guard returned home with the distinction of having made school history through its first Class 5A state marching contest appearance.