This is an opinion column.

Have to admit it. Having the AHSAA Super 7 Football Championships in Birmingham in December, while serving as the host for the broadcasts on Alabama Public Television, was awfully nice.

Already knew all the shortcuts to Protective Stadium. Saw a lot of familiar faces inside the venue who make the event special. Got to sleep in my own bed. More than Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa the year before and Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn the year before that, it felt like home.