Driver's education, state test, license photo, keys in hand -- the Hiland High School sophomore went about it like any other Ohio kid. Except that Hostetler long ago received his education regarding dangers of the road.

On a sunny mid-July day in 2002, Kyle Hostetler, Colten's older brother, was en route to pick up his girlfriend and then proceed to a Little League picnic for Colten's team. But Kyle failed to negotiate a curve on Township Road 36 -- less than a mile from Hiland High -- with his vehicle going off the road and striking two trees.

"I told (Colten) not to do what I did," Kyle said, "and to tell his friends to be responsible."

The driver's side of his 1996 Ford Probe took the brunt of the collision. Kyle was extricated from the vehicle by the East Holmes squad and Lifeflighted to Aultman Hospital in Canton. He suffered severe head trauma and was not responding.

A seat belt saved Kyle's life, but nearly took it as well.

"One of the ladies who is on the local fire department or rescue squad, lives right across the road from where the accident happened," said Mark Hostetler, Kyle's father. "The seat belt was actually around his throat and she had to cut it away.

"You don't ever think something like that is going to happen to you or your family. But once you wake up and it's reality, you deal with it."

Soon after, Mark and wife, Cindy, had to handle the toughest situation of all. Kyle had a hematoma, the brain pushing against the outer wall of the skull, and was holding onto life with the support of a ventilator.

After 30 days his eyes were open, but his brain did not seem to be functioning.

"One doctor told us at that point, 'He's gone. There's nothing more we're going to be able to do,'" Cindy said. "They said he was in a vegetable state and that wasn't going to change, and suggested we pull him off the life support."

Mark and Cindy decided against that idea, opting instead to try surgery so that the life-threatening pressure would be relieved. The operation was two hours and a success.

Eventually Kyle was transferred to Majora Lane Care Center in Millersburg, then to Edwin Shaw in Canton and back to Millersburg and Scenic View. It took nine months before he could show any emotion on his face, first flashing a smile to uncle Dave Hostetler on one of Dave's wild visits.

Along the way, it was found Kyle had a fracture of the C-3 and C-4 sections of his vertebrae. Two surgeries were required to mend those injuries.

But now, 24-year-old Kyle continues to improve at Majora Lane Care Center. With the help of daily two-hour rigorous rehabilitation sessions, he's advanced to the point to take "baby" steps the last couple months. Albeit a little slower than most, he holds conversations, writes with his left hand, enjoys drawing and works on a computer.

He also made a visit to the Classic in the Country IV Saturday night.

As an honorary guest, Kyle sat at the end of Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame's bench for the Cougars' game against Eastmoor Academy out of Fitchburg, Mass. During visits to Scenic View Nursing Home each of the last three years -- where Kyle had been cared for up until spring of 2005 -- Mount Notre Dame's program developed a relationship with Kyle.

It's Div. I state championship team from 2003-04 dedicated the season to him.

"It's my favorite game. I'm married to the game," Kyle joked prior to the matchup. "I will feel like I'm where I used to be. I will feel like a player again. I'm excited."

The visit to Perry Reese Community Center Saturday wasn't Kyle's first this season. He attends most the Hiland boys' home games with his parents, watching Colten, who starts for the Hawks' junior varsity. For most, including Kyle himself, it takes them back a few years.

"He'll sit there and tell ya, 'They shot the 3 a little too quick. They didn't box out.' Stuff like that," Cindy said. "It does make you think a little about the old days, when he was out there."

Kyle went from a role player as a junior to a Special Mention All-Ohioan as a senior, the same year legendary Hiland coach Perry Reese Jr. died of a brain tumor. Former teammates, coaches and fans alike still reminisce about the "Spin Doctor," a nickname Kyle earned for perfecting a certain move.

Kyle Hostetler needs no nickname these days. He's a fighter, an inspiration.

"He improves a little, then he plateaus for a while. He improves a little, then he plateaus for a while," said Mark, who works at Paint Valley Equipment in Millersburg and stops to visit Kyle each night after punching out at 5 o'clock. "God has given him another chance. Churches all over, places we haven't even heard of, have been praying for him and God has been listening.

"We don't look back anymore, and wonder 'Whatif?'" Mark added. "We look to the future. We wonder what else progress Kyle can make. He loves life and we love him."