First it was 13-1 Williams Field having to trudge over to the awards stand at midfield at Sun Devil Stadium Saturday afternoon to pick up their runner-up trophy after falling in overtime to Thunderbird, 25-22, in the 4A-II championship game. One loss costing you the trophy you worked for all season.

A little more than four hours later, Canyon del Oro had to do the same, finishing 13-1 after its 41-34 loss to Saguaro in the 4A-I title game. Not only was this just one loss, but it was the Dorados only defeat in their last 28 games. And 33 seniors on coach Dustin Peace's varsity had never lost a game at CDO before Saturday at any level at the school.

Still, both Williams Field coach  Steve Campbell and Peace made pointed remarks to their teams to buck up and collect a second-place trophy, hard as it was.

Campbell may have seen some players toss helmets aside and begin to rant and rave about not beating Thunderbird. He gathered his team and reminded them in no uncertain terms to show class even in a difficult circumstance.

Peace did the same, summoning his team to go get the trophy they really didn't want. Again with the theme of staying classy and accepting reward for second-best in the spirit of sportsmanship.

You want coaches to be good at the Xs and Os. And in difficult circumstances, Campbell and Peace were leaders in helping their players show class and composure.

I saw it. And I liked it. Hats off to both coaches for teaching beyond the game they coach.