"We have been so thankful for all the prayers and good wishes," said Dan Wiita, Kory's father. "But Kory would want kids to go out and play hard and focus on winning."

Kory, a senior defensive back for Highland, fractured three vertebrae in his neck while making a tackle during the Oct. 30 Highland-Cloverleaf game. He remains in critical condition in Akron Children's Hospital's Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Dan and Mariann, Kory's mother, know that Kory will especially be in the thoughts of his Highland Hornets teammates, who will be facing the Warren Howland Tigers in the first round of play-offs in Division II, Region 5, at Howland tomorrow.

"We know the players from both Highland and Wadsworth [a Suburban League rival] have put Kory's number 32 on their helmets," said Mariann Wiita.

"The Howland players have signed his [online] guestbook and the Summit Portage Officials Association has sent flowers. Kory would want nothing more than to be at the game, but is fighting for his own type of victory."

The family is posting updates about Kory on their CaringBridge website. The address is www.caringbridge.org/visit/korywiita.

"Kory is getting better and stronger each day," said Mariann. "He is communicating despite having a breathing tube. He knows everyone is rooting for him and feels the love and support of the community."

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