When the Battlefield High School marching band takes the field at half time of football games, it's not just the formations and sounds that are impressive.

It's the sheer size of the ensemble gathered on the field, creating a phalanx of purple and black that seems to overflow the green grass below them.

The sheer magnitude of the production could only add to the festive atmosphere in Haymarket last Friday night for homecoming as the home team won its annual grudge match against Manassas rival Stonewall Jackson 44-12.

Squeezed between and feisty dance routine by the school's step team and awards ceremony for the homecoming courts, the Marching Bobcats stretched out 90 yards after first entering the field under the direction of Jon Lash and Glendon Mohan. The flag guard held its own beginning at the 10 yard line on the north side of the field while part of the percussion section lined the goal line at the opposite end.

With brass and woodwinds in the middle and a small army of xylophonists near the top director clad in the brightest of whites, the Bobcats performed their show "A Travis del Mar", featuring scores from the movies Bolero, Time to Say Goodbye, Malagana and Mask of Zorro

The marching band wrapped up its regular season two weeks ago with an undefeated record for the fourth consecutive year, capturing the "grand champion" title in five out of six events.

Naturally, the band, which can be seen and heard routinely practicing choreography and musical takes in the part of the parking lot closest to the softball field during the week, prepared a grandiose show to celebrate homecoming for the audience of family, friends and classmates in the stands and along the fence encompassing the perimeter of the football field.

Courts from the freshmen, sophomore, junior and senior classes walked along the 50 yard line with marching band members five yards apart on each side to their left and right, creating a processional-like entrance for each of the high school's esteemed teenage royalty.

Matt Dooley, Samantha Brosnahan, Preston Hagarty and Bridgette Oden represented the freshmen while Tyler Harris, Kolbi Doss, Brandon Dukeman and Devon Esteban held the honors for the sophomores.

The six members of Battlefield's junior court included Alan Baltimore, Brigitta Blair, Ford Whitticar, Gianna Mollica, Sam McCain and Kimmy Brady, all of whom made way at the end for the eight seniors that comprised the highest class.

Senior field goal kicker Jason Hoepker joined Dukeman as the varsity football team's representatives to the various courts during the night. He made a line with Katie Agnos, Kyle Beach, Devin Joseph, John Choi, Bailey Liddle, Connor Haupt and Samantha Lilley to distinguish the field of the Class of 2011's honorees.

With Battlefield principal Amy Ethridge-Conti ready to bestow the stashes and crowns to the winners, public address announcer Chris Lem announced to the Bobcat faithful below that Beach would be taking home the crown while Agnos laid claim to the tiara. That led way to the Marching Bobcats' second performance, ending just before half time expired as the football team gathered at the north end of the field.

Battlefield set its homecoming dance for the next day, but unlike the visiting Stonewall Jackson football team, the season was not through for either the Bobcats' football team or marching band. The purple and black varsity squad is set to close out the regular season tomorrow night at home against Loudoun Valley and the band is still slated for two more shows away from the field. Show dates are Dec. 4 at the Manassas Christmas Parade and Dec. 15 for the annual winter concert at Battlefield.