Trinity Episcopal and Centreville Academy are no strangers to state championships in football.

But this past week, both teams hoisted trophies in a different sport.

The Saints defeated Winona Christian Academy 10-1 Thursday in Game 2 of their state championship series to secure the MAIS Class A title.

Centreville, meanwhile, overcame a 1-0 deficit in their state championship series against Simpson Academy by winning two straight Thursday to secure the Class AA title.

It marked the first time for each school that a state championship was won in baseball. And for each school, the victory had a behind-the-scenes story that made winning it all that much sweeter.

For Trinity, it marked just the second time in school history that two state titles were won in two different major sports during the same school year. (The boys and girls basketball teams both won a state title in 1978.)

Before the start of last year’s football season, David King mentioned to me several times about how special he thought this year’s group of seniors was. Two state championships later, I can understand from where he was coming.

Special recognition must also be given to Trinity baseball coach Mitch Ashmore. It’s hard enough to win one championship, but Ashmore now has two to his name, one at Huntington School and one at Trinity.

The 2010-2011 school year was truly a special one for Trinity, and the group of young men that led the football and baseball teams to state titles should be proud. They’ve left a special mark in their school’s history, something they can — and should —cherish for the rest of their lives.

For Centreville, the win was a fitting tribute to fallen teammate Emile Garrett, who died tragically in a car wreck in January 2010.

Every player, coach and fan I spoke with during and after the game Thursday night talked about how they were all playing for Garrett. When the Tigers were presented with their state championship trophy, Garrett’s father held the trophy for the team photo.

It was truly a touching moment, seeing the joy in everyone’s faces at Centreville, knowing they had won one for their fallen brother.

And from an observer’s perspective, I’m not exaggerating when I say those two games Thursday evening were some of the best high school baseball games I’ve ever witnessed.

The Tigers trailed 3-2 going into the bottom of the ninth in Game 2, just three outs away from elimination. It looked as though being down 0-1 in the series would be too much for Centreville to overcome.

But Garrett was simply not going to be denied his tribute.

Two Tiger batters reached base, and Centreville’s Tyler Towles reached back and absolutely destroyed a pitch by Simpson Academy, sending over the left field wall for a three-run, walkoff home run.

In Game 3, Centreville again fell behind 3-2, but the Tigers once again clawed back and took a 4-3 lead. Ace pitcher Hunter Devall, a 2012 LSU commit, pitched the final three innings for the Tigers to secure the title.

My hat is off to Centreville Academy, their head coach Jason Horne, his assistant coaches and every one of the players for the Tigers. The way they fought back with their backs against the wall was admirable.

I would have to think Garrett would feel honored not simply because his Tigers won it all, but more so how they won it all — by never, ever, ever giving up.

So, congratulations to both Trinity and Centreville. You’ve most certainly made the Miss-Lou proud.