The high school marching band playoff season opened Monday in El Campo with the UIL Region 13 contest at Ricebird Stadium. All five Wharton County bands performed for judges in hopes of earning a top “1” score to advance to the Oct. 25th round in Pflugerville and possibly state in San Antonio in November. Louise, East Bernard, Boling, Wharton and El Campo performed in that order. The Ricebirds debuted “Fire and Ice” after a sixth-place finish in Edna last week.