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A beloved teammate. A hard-working student-athlete. A kind young man.
Those are some of the ways Tustin is remembering former standout football player William Leapart, who was shot and killed in Compton on Aug. 13, authorities and school officials confirm.
“He was a great kid,” Tustin coach Anthony Lopez said of Leapart, who graduated from Tustin High in 2024. “He was just real humble. Quiet. Did his job. Didn’t talk too much. Just went out there and played football.”
Tustin (0-1) will honor Leapart on Friday as it plays host to rival Foothill (0-1) in its home opener, Lopez said.
“We have something planned,” the coach said Leapart, who wore jersey No. 7 for the Tillers.
Leapart, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, was shot in the 14000 block of South Stanford Avenue in Compton.
Homicide detectives, the department stated, responded to the incident at 9:58 p.m. A coroner report indicated that Leapart, 19, died at the scene from a gunshot, said Lt. Daniel Vizcarra of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department.
Leapart made first-team All-Big 4 League at Katella as a wide receiver/defensive back in 2022. He and teammate Marques Guzman transferred to Tustin for the 2023 season. Leapart earned second-team All-Empire League on defense as a senior.
“We are saddened by the tragic loss of William Leapart,” Tustin principal Heather Bojorquez said in a statement. “William was a beloved member of our Tiller community who was taken too soon. He was a kind, hard-working student who was loved by his teammates and coaches.”
“Words are insufficient to describe the heartbreak felt by our staff and William’s former teammates,” she added. “Our thoughts are with William’s family and all those affected by his loss.”
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department urges anyone with information about Leapart’s death to call its Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.
TUSTIN INJURY UPDATES
Tustin quarterback Ayden Edwards (shoulder) and lineman Jon Ioane (knee) were injured in a 17-0 loss at San Clemente last week.
“Looks like a strained AC joint (for Edwards),” Lopez said Saturday. “All signs are positive (for Ioane).”
Tustin moved wide receiver Hayden Koo to quarterback in the fourth quarter to replace Edwards.
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COSTA MESA-ESTANCIA RIVALRY CONTINUES
The Costa Mesa-Estancia “Battle of the Bell” game on Friday at Estancia High will be part of the Great American Rivalry Series.
Estancia and Costa Mesa first played in 1966. The Eagles won 14-13 to begin a series that has featured several close scores.
Last season, Estancia defeated Costa Mesa 29-21.
The Great American Rivalry Series, sponsored by U.S. Marine Corps, promotes high school rivalries across the country.
HALL OF FAME CALLS HENIGAN, KIRSCHKE
Late Irvine coach Terry Henigan and Esperanza defensive lineman Travis Kirschke have been inducted into the California High School Football Hall of Fame.
Henigan led Irvine to four CIF-SS championships. He died at age 79 in 2023.
Kirschke starred at Esperanza before playing at UCLA and in the NFL.
The Hall of Fame’s Class for 2026 includes Pat Tillman, who played at Leland High of San Jose. He went on to Arizona State and the NFL before joining the U.S. Army. He died in service in Afghanistan in 2004.
“Like he was in college, he (played) everywhere (in high school),” said Pacifica coach Kyle Murphy, who played with Tillman at Arizona State. “For us, PAT was the only (team) he wasn’t on.”
SANTA ANA VALLEY ENDS DROUGHT
Santa Ana Valley opened its season last week by defeating visiting California Military Institute 48-8 for its first victory since 2023. The Falcons snapped a 21-game winless streak. They finished 0-9-1 last season and 0-10 in 2024.
“The players were ecstatic to get one (win) under their belt early on in the season,” Santa Ana Valley coach Alfredo Macias said. “It was great to see the players smile and laugh after the game.”
Santa Ana Valley’s Fernando Dircio rushed for 112 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries. Jason Valencia added two catches for 80 yards and two touchdowns.
On Friday, Santa Ana Valley (1-0) plays Katella (0-1) at Glover Stadium.
SHORT ROUTES
Santa Margarita (1-0) plays at Centennial (1-0) on Friday in the CIF-SS Game of the Week. The game will air on the Spectrum networks. …
Santa Margarita last week collected a school-record nine sacks, including three by freshman linebacker Aydan Steen, in a 27-0 win against Jones of Florida. …
Capistrano Valley (1-0) will host the first game in its new stadium Friday when it faces Downey (0-1). …
Troy opens its season Friday against reigning CIF-SS Division 5 champion Rio Hondo Prep. Last season, the Warriors lost to Rio Hondo Prep 28-0 in the quarterfinals.
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