The sudden death of standout scholar-athlete Jarod Stouffer has thrown Point Pleasant High School into distress. Football coach Steve Safford said he's an emotional wreck.

Richard DeQuasie -- Pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church -- says to help Safford's grief and that of so many other people ...

"You become a good listener. You allow those others to share those feelings to get the grief the deep feelings that they have, to share those feelings and to express those feelings and just listen to them. And if they need to be held, hold them and if they need to cry, let them cry."

Rosie Miller is a third grade teacher and has dealt with situations like this one before.

"As a teacher, I can try to have time to talk to them and tell them -- agree with their sadness that grieving comes naturally. Refer them to a counselor."

Grief counselors were at Point Pleasant High School Wednesday and will be there the remainder of the week as students try to cope with the loss of a student who had caught the eye of Princeton University for his academic achievement, his leadership, and his athletic ability.

Friday's game against Meigs High School will be marked by a prayer service. A celebration of Stouffer's life is planned for Saturday.