Last week, I got to add to that list when underdog Piedmont reached the ultimate goal of any high school football team by winning a state championship.
I didn't cover the game. I sat in the stands at Tuscaloosa's Bryant-Denny Stadium with the rest of the Bulldog faithful and clapped and yelled and lived and died with the Blue and Gold.
And it was fun. I guess it wouldn't have been as fun if things had turned out differently, but the Bulldogs won and our fans went home happy. On the other side, the Cordova faithful (and there were a lot), who were seeing their team play in its third straight championship game, went home with a loss and a lot of "what ifs."
Before the game, I had a chance to interact with some Cordova fans. They were pleasant, for the most part, but I was a little annoyed when most asked "Where is Piedmont?" I bet they know where Piedmont is now.
The most valuable player was Chase Childers. He certainly deserved that honor. But if there was a team-effort, it was certainly on that breezy day at the Capstone.
Of all the sports mankind has invented, I think football has to be the one where teamwork matters the most. And last Thursday, the Piedmont team worked together to bring home the school's first state football championship.
Christian Cantrell ran for 108 yards and three touchdowns and Childers had 102 yards rushing and 56 passing with two touchdowns. But without the blocking of linemen Austyn Grissom, Cory Sears, Clay Dent, Jameson Trammell and Seth Reedy, they would have gotten nowhere. I'm certain, Christian and Chase will be the first to tell you so.
And don't forget the play of receivers Tay Holloway, Adam Hammett and Noah Willis. The running of Jamaal Johnson and Luke Smith. Or the reserves like Derrick Jackson, Jalen Johnson, Dalton Riffey or Chris Strott.
And then there was the defense, which in the end really won the game in overtime for the Bulldogs.
After Piedmont scored on its overtime possession on an eight-yard run by Cantrell and Chris Strott's kick made it 35-28, the Bulldog defense — Jamaal Johnson, Chris Cantrell, Tay Holloway, Luke Smith, Matt Craig, Jamie Major, Luke Bobbitt, Cory Sears, Marquez Gamble, Terrick Spear and Mickey Jackson —decided that was enough.
On Cordova's first play from the 10, Luke Smith grabbed Cordova's Jake Howton and dragged him down for a five-yard loss.
That play seemed to stun Cordova.
On the next play, Luke Smith was at it again. When Terrick Spear jarred the ball loose from Ryan Smith, Luke was there to pounce on it at the 11.
Game over. Give the trophy to Piedmont. Let the celebration begin.
And celebrate they did. Players, coaches, students, fans — old and young — clapped, hugged, high-fived, yelled, stomped and generally did what they had to do to celebrate a state championship.
That was when I realized I was glad I was sitting in the stands rather than in the press box. I didn't feel the cold because when you're celebrating, you don't feel what's around you, you feel what's down in your heart.
And there's few things more warming than a state championship.
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