In February 2015, Steilacoom High School's football staff flanked Fotu Leiato as he signed his letter of intent with the Oregon Ducks in a ceremony that coaches called a dream realized.
More than three years later, those same coaches were all on Steilacoom's football field Friday afternoon watching a joint practice with a neighboring school, when the news of Leiato's death as a passenger in a one-car rollover crash in Eugene left them stunned and grieving.
"We found out at the same time," said William Garrow, who was Leiato's defensive coordinator at Steilacoom before leaving for North Thurston High School.