I have worked in two different regions that are not very close together, meaning they hire very different judges.
My current region seems to have very low standards for varsity bands. I have heard some pretty bad playing over the last few years and that includes our varsity band. Pretty much everyone walked away with a first division, and most of them were sweepstakes.
The NVs and ESPECIALLY SNVs seem to get crushed. And yes, I have been included in that group. Sometimes it was deserved, but more than once I have had retired judges in the audience who tell me they are baffled by the judging.
So here, the 6A varsity bands get a pat on the back, and the lower levels get hammered.