Kory Wiita's Injury (Justina Saxby / October 30, 2009)
A Highland High School football player is in critical condition at Akron Children's Hospital after a suffering a severe neck injury on the field Friday night.
The Hornets were playing Cloverleaf and during the opening kickoff of the second half, defensive back Kory Wiita -- No. 32 -- tackled the ball carrier.
Coach Tom Lombardo says, "Kory brought down the ball carrier and at same time another kid came in higher on the ball carrier."
Kory was knocked unconscious. Coach Lombardo calls it a "freak accident."
Kory woke up at the hospital on a ventilator, unable to feel anything below his chest. "Kory is in good spirits. He's a fighter," says Coach Lombardo.
He fractured three vertebrae in his neck and underwent surgery Saturday. He is scheduled for another operation Monday.
Coach Lombardo says the entire community is devastated by the accident and "praying for a God-sized miracle."
Thousands of friends and complete strangers have been posting positive messages for Kory on the Web site CaringBridge.org.
"Kory is very bright," says Coach Lombardo. "He's liked by his peers and not just his teammates but classmates."
His parents say he is showing signs of improvement. According to the Wiitas, Kory has been asking for " McDonald's fries and BW3s honey barbecue boneless wings."
His teammates say although they can't bring him fast food, they will try to win their first round playoff game on Friday night.
Coach Lombardo also had this message for his player, "Kory you have the strength of the community to fight with you. We're praying for you and we'll be there for you."
If you'd like to leave a message for Kory, go to http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/KoryWiita/guestbook.
The Hornets were playing Cloverleaf and during the opening kickoff of the second half, defensive back Kory Wiita -- No. 32 -- tackled the ball carrier.
Coach Tom Lombardo says, "Kory brought down the ball carrier and at same time another kid came in higher on the ball carrier."
Kory was knocked unconscious. Coach Lombardo calls it a "freak accident."
Kory woke up at the hospital on a ventilator, unable to feel anything below his chest. "Kory is in good spirits. He's a fighter," says Coach Lombardo.
He fractured three vertebrae in his neck and underwent surgery Saturday. He is scheduled for another operation Monday.
Coach Lombardo says the entire community is devastated by the accident and "praying for a God-sized miracle."
Thousands of friends and complete strangers have been posting positive messages for Kory on the Web site CaringBridge.org.
"Kory is very bright," says Coach Lombardo. "He's liked by his peers and not just his teammates but classmates."
His parents say he is showing signs of improvement. According to the Wiitas, Kory has been asking for " McDonald's fries and BW3s honey barbecue boneless wings."
His teammates say although they can't bring him fast food, they will try to win their first round playoff game on Friday night.
Coach Lombardo also had this message for his player, "Kory you have the strength of the community to fight with you. We're praying for you and we'll be there for you."
If you'd like to leave a message for Kory, go to http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/KoryWiita/guestbook.
