This time of year for Lufkin High School’s Panther Band is full of work and stress. 

The Panther Band is scheduled to compete in the Region 21 UIL Marching Contest at 8 p.m. Saturday in Homer Bryce Stadium on the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches.

The band has been practicing outside of school hours several times over the last few weeks, including in the rain on Columbus Day. Due to testing today, the band is scheduled to practice after school from 4-5:30 this evening.

On Friday, the band will travel to Tomball for the Lufkin Panthers’ varsity football game. The next day, the band will have a short rehearsal, at which it will make last-minute improvements. The LHS Band Boosters will provide burgers for the students, who will then load up and head to Nacogdoches.

At SFA, the band will have a short warmup and then head to the field for its 8 p.m. contest performance. 

The band will compete against fellow Class 5A schools, including Lindale and Jacksonville.

Results of the competition will be announced after Longview, the last band in the Class 6A category, has completed its performance.

All of Panther Nation is invited to come support the Panther Band at SFA on Saturday night.