Spirit of Atlanta has taken 2018 by storm with just one performance on its record for the summer. On Thursday night in Pittsburgh, the Georga corps scored an impressive 65.700, beating the Madison Scouts' 64.200. 

After the last few seasons of being out of finals, Spirit of Atlanta has just started its 2018 season amidst a fight to get into DCI World Championship finals.

Knocking Our Socks Off

In 2017, Spirit of Atlanta started its season at the same event in Pittsburgh. The corps' score was a bit different, however. It earned 61.000 and ended up finishing out the season in 18th.

Madison Scouts performed the next night in Evansville, IN, last year and earned a 67.100. They went on to finish in 12th.

A total of 6.1 points separated the two groups on the same night, one year ago: June 28. Now, the gap has flopped 1.5 points in the other direction.

The most recent instance of Spirit of Atlanta scoring higher than the Madison Scouts, that we could find, was on July 24, 2009, in Gadsden, AL.

Opportunity Knocks

Although one show doesn't determine a season, this start is signaling one of Spirit of Atlanta's best chances at finals since 2013 and that's worth celebrating. Add Spirit of Atlanta to the mix of corps aiming for finals in 2018 that already includes Mandarins, Madison Scouts, The Academy, and Colts.

As one of the most consistent finalists in the '80s and a corps that sticks to its roots (jazzy, soulful shows), Spirit is a group that many of the more seasoned drum corps fans would love to see back in the top 12.