A Tough End to a Rough Day

South Lakes football coach Marvin Wooten has been running on Red Bull and about five hours of sleep the last three days.

It has been kind of a blur for the 27-year-old first-time head coach.

On Friday, Wooten attended her viewing, then raced over to to make his coaching debut. The evening ended in a 52-6 loss to Westfield, one of the toughest teams in the county.

Carol Wooten's funeral is Saturday morning in Ashburn. Many South Lakes teachers (Marvin Wooten teaches physical education at the school as well), staff and players are scheduled to attend.

"It has been a little surreal," said Safiya Jenkins, Wooten's fiancee. The couple is scheduled to move into a new house in three weeks and be married Oct. 8.

"Marvin has definitely held his composure," she said. About 50 members of Jenkins' and Wooten's families were at the game at South Lakes Friday and will be with the coach through the weekend.

"He's got a lot of family around, and that makes it better," she said.

Wooten seemed a little subdued during the game. He said later since the assistant coaches were with the players all week, he let them play a larger role in the Wetsfield game.

"I'll be honest, I wasn't myself," said Wooten. "I didn't have the energy. But I am glad I was here. I spent two hours doing something I love doing.

The game started off poorly and got worse for the Seahawks, who were down 35-0 in the first quarter.

"We pretty much lost the game in the first five minutes," said Wooten. "Special teams were horrible. We have to go out there and play with a little pride and make something happen."

The Seahawks' only score came in the final second of the game, when substitute quarterback Calvin Vaughan tossed it to Rashaan Jones, the starting quarterback who was subbing at wide receiver.

That brought a smile to the coach's face.

By Sunday, much of this will be behind Wooten - even though no amount of touchdowns can completely erase the pain of losing his mother just one year after his father also suddenly died.

"I think the hard part is behind me," said Wooten. "I plan on getting some sleep tonight. I am tired of talking to insurance companies. Now it is time to celebrate what my mom stood for and give her a sendoff.

"The selfish part of me is mad, sad and confused," he said. "But part of me is celebrating that my parents are united. They are always going to be around  [in spirit]."