WILLIS, Texas -- A student collapsed during gym class at a Montgomery County high school on Friday, KPRC Local 2 reported.

Willis Independent School District officials said 16-year-old Adrian Longoria collapsed while playing basketball in the gym of Willis High School, 1201 FM 830, during a physical education class.

A nurse used a defibrillator to help Longoria while emergency medical personnel were on their way.

"At that point, they hooked him up to the AED, the defibrillator, and administered a shock, which brought him back," said Brian Zemlicka, the Willis ISD superintendent.

The 11th-grader was taken by helicopter to Memorial Hermann Hospital. He was hospitalized in stable condition Friday afternoon.

Doctors said Longoria suffered from an irregular heartbeat.

The teenager's parents were not aware of the heart condition.

His mother said her son is athletic.

"I think that's what takes everybody by surprise -- that healthy kids can drop dead any minute and you don't know until it's too late," mother Ana Sharp said.

Doctors said Longoria was lucky to be alive.

"The doctor told us more than once, 'This is what saved your son's life.' I wouldn't have my son if it wasn't for that machine," Sharp said. "I want to hug him. I'm going to tell him how much I love him -- like I do every morning."

Willis ISD has had defibrillators on its school campuses for six years -- years before they were required by state law.

"We've always said, 'We hope and pray to God that we never have to use one.' But, unfortunately, we had to use one today, but hopefully it all turns out well for this young man," Zemlicka said. Longoria is expected to remain hospitalized for several more days.

Doctors said Longoria did not have a heartbeat for more than two minutes, so they will have to wait for test results to determine if Longoria will suffer from long-term damage.

Exactly one year ago, Gov. Rick Perry came to Houston to sign a bill that requires every public school in Texas to have a defibrillator on campus.

The device must also be on hand for athletic practices and games.