It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Mercer Street Historical Marker in Dripping Springs, TX gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Dripping Springs, TX is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Veterans Memorial Park in Dripping Springs, TX with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Epicure or visit Charro Ranch Park, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Dripping Springs, TX, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Dripping Springs, TX understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Dripping Springs, TX 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
DRIPPING SPRINGS — As he gathered his team around him, presenting them with their Class 6A Division II bi-district championship trophy, Dripping Springs football coach Galen Zimmerman reminded players to enjoy what they had just achieved.“Don’t ever forget to celebrate winning on a Friday night,” Zimmerman told the Tigers after their 38-14 win over Vista Ridge.That the win came on Thursday night, not Friday, and that they all had school the next morning hardly mattered. Zimmerman's point stood: Winning i...
DRIPPING SPRINGS — As he gathered his team around him, presenting them with their Class 6A Division II bi-district championship trophy, Dripping Springs football coach Galen Zimmerman reminded players to enjoy what they had just achieved.
“Don’t ever forget to celebrate winning on a Friday night,” Zimmerman told the Tigers after their 38-14 win over Vista Ridge.
That the win came on Thursday night, not Friday, and that they all had school the next morning hardly mattered. Zimmerman's point stood: Winning in the playoffs isn't easy and the Tigers, who also ended the regular season last week with a first-ever win over Westlake, should celebrate.
Chase Ames shook off an ankle injury to throw three touchdowns, Jaceton Gotta ran for a pair of scores and the Tigers (10-1) pulled away from the gritty Rangers (7-4). Dripping Springs will face San Antonio Harlan, a 56-24 winner Thursday over San Antonio Madison, next Friday at Alamo Stadium.
Here are three takeaways from Dripping Springs' win:
In all, Vista Ridge turned the ball over seven times: three interceptions and four turnovers on downs, including a failed fake punt and a lost fumble when a live Dripping Springs punt hit a Rangers player in the helmet as he was blocking.
“All of that was huge,” Zimmerman said. “In the playoffs, every mistake gets amplified, so you’ve got to eliminate those. I’m proud of our kids because when they had an opportunity to make a play, they did.”
To Zimmerman’s point, Dripping Springs didn’t turn the ball over at all.
"As a defense, we need to go out there and give our offense more opportunities," said Tigers defender Malachi Igharo, who had two of the three picks. "It’s essential to do what we do, and I think our defense prides itself on making plays on the ball. We were able to do that tonight.”
The muffed punt proved most costly to Vista Ridge. Coming out of halftime trailing 14-7, the Rangers forced a Dripping Springs punt to open the third quarter. Mateo Perez's punt held up in the wind, and the ball bounced and then hit a Vista Ridge player, making it a live ball. The Tigers pounced on it and five plays later, Gotta scored to make it a 21-7 game.
Instead of getting the ball with a chanced to potentially tie the game, the Rangers found themselves trailing by 14 points and in catch-up mode.
Early on, Vista Ridge’s defense frustrated Dripping Springs’ passing attack. Ames found success throwing short and intermediate passes, but struggled to connect with either James Montgomery or Cooper Reid downfield.
“I thought we were a little bit inconsistent, but you know that’s a good team (Vista Ridge),” Zimmerman said. “They’re scrappy. They play hard every play. You can’t assume anything against them. It was tough.”
Gotta broke free for an early touchdown and Ames closed the first half with a 32-yard scoring pass to Montgomery, but there wasn’t much in between. After halftime, though, the Tigers found another gear and got Reid involved down the field. He hauled in fourth quarter touchdown passes of 12 and 56 yards as his team pulled away.
“We didn’t have much energy in the first half,” Reid said. “Going into the locker room, we were able to get a little pep in our step, and we came out with the mindset that we were going to attack.”
While Reid said he wasn’t trying to make up for lost time — he missed five games with a shoulder injury before returning last week — he said he missed not being on the field.
“I couldn’t be happier,” he said. “It feels amazing. I love this game more than anything in the world, and I couldn’t be happier to be back.”
Reid and Igharo both said there’s room to improve on their respective sides of the ball. The offense, Reid said, must have energy from the start. Defensively, Igharo said, the Tigers must tighten up even more.
“I think they had a little too much (yardage) tonight,” Igharo said. “They’re obviously a good team and they get coached too, but we need to play better and play faster. It’s all about us. We need to go out there and have a very good Monday practice and take it on practice at a time.”
Chase Ames may not initially give off the impression of being one of the area’s best quarterbacks; a teammate Friday referred to him as “the skinny, blonde-headed kid." But his play on the field says otherwise.In possibly his signature game to date, Ames — who was mostly unknown before the season but is approaching 35 scoring passes for the year — threw for 409 yards and five touchdowns to lead Dripping Springs to a 45-35 win over Westlake at Chaparral Stadium, the first victory over Westlake in school his...
Chase Ames may not initially give off the impression of being one of the area’s best quarterbacks; a teammate Friday referred to him as “the skinny, blonde-headed kid." But his play on the field says otherwise.
In possibly his signature game to date, Ames — who was mostly unknown before the season but is approaching 35 scoring passes for the year — threw for 409 yards and five touchdowns to lead Dripping Springs to a 45-35 win over Westlake at Chaparral Stadium, the first victory over Westlake in school history.
Completing 25 of 33 passes, Ames’ effort was part of more than 530 yards of offense by the Tiger. They became the first team since 2014 to score more than 40 points against Westlake in the regular season.
“We just try to get in a rhythm, and once we get into rhythm, we’re really hard to stop,” Ames said Friday. “The coaches did a good job of preparing me … and our playmakers and offensive line were all great.”
Dripping Springs (9-1, 5-1 District 26-6A), which wrapped up the district’s top Division II playoff seed and avoided a first-round matchup with Vandegrift, played with its full personnel on offense for the first time in a month. Wideouts James Montgomery (five catches, 112 yards, TD) and Cooper Reid (6-87-2) returned from injury or illness, something that may have benefited fellow wide receiver Merrik Bloomgren as much as Ames.
Bloomgren hauled in eight catches for 164 yards and two scores, with four of those receptions being at least 20 yards.
“With (Montgomery and Reid back), it really opens up the defense,” said Bloomgren, who like Reid stands 6-foot-4. “You can’t really guard all three of us. … And we’ve been playing so long together, we just have great chemistry.”
The senior trio gives the Tigers arguably the best receiving corps in Central Texas. It’s something that isn’t lost on Ames.
“It’s a huge blessing for me,” said Ames, whose scoring tosses mainly came on long throws over the middle, with four of them being at least 30 yards. “They’re all going to play in college, and it’s really fun having them with their experience and play-making ability.”
Though the Tigers’ aerial attack has the eye-popping stats, running back Jaceton Gotta was just as important to the victory. He finished with 106 yards rushing, including an 18-yard touchdown early in the third quarter when he broke two tackles in the backfield.
“Westlake is very intelligent and doesn’t get out of position,” Zimmerman said. “It was important for us to stretch them (in the run and pass) because they’re really good. They’re going to make plays, but our kids were resilient all game.”
There’s no overstating what beating Westlake means.
One of the Austin area's top programs, the Chaps rarely lose. And if they do, it’s usually in the playoffs to a school from the Houston or Dallas areas. Westlake has dropped three games this year: the season opener to Prosper and district losses to Lake Travis and Dripping Springs in two of the last three weeks. It's the Chaps who'll open the Class 6A DII playoffs against Vandegrift, last year's DII state champion.
“We recognize this is a big one,” Tigers coach Galen Zimmerman said. “And the reason why is that’s a program that regularly plays well into December. … So this is big for our kids to see what we’re capable of.”
Taking a 7-0 lead less than two minutes into the game, the Tigers,didn’t lead again until midway through the fourth quarter. The game was tied five times, and at one point early in the fourth, Ames and Westlake quarterback Rees Wise combined for TD passes of more than 50 yards in an 18-second span.
But Dripping Springs scored the game’s last 17 points.
“It was complimentary football,” Zimmerman said. “It’s about all three phases making plays and making sure we’re not making mistakes. … But I’m more proud about how our kids played in the second half.”
It’s arguably the signature win for the team’s seniors.
“We’ve been working four years for a win like this,” Bloomgren said. “Everybody did their job, and it was just great execution.”
Overshadowed in the result is the performance Wise had for Westlake. He threw for 363 yards and three touchdowns, ran for 66 yards and two scores and started the game completing 16 of his first 17 passes.
Chase Ames threw for 409 yards and five touchdowns and Jaceton Gotta rushed for 106 yards and a TD as Dripping Springs defeated Westlake for the first time in school history Friday with a 45-35 win at Chaparral Stadium.Tigers wideout Merrik Bloomgren hauled in eight passes for 164 yards and two TDs, with Cooper Reid tallying two scoring receptions and James Montgomery finishing with five catches for 112 yards and a touchdown. Dripping Springs (9-1, 5-1 District 26-6A) finished with more than 530 yards of offense. The Tigers will be th...
Chase Ames threw for 409 yards and five touchdowns and Jaceton Gotta rushed for 106 yards and a TD as Dripping Springs defeated Westlake for the first time in school history Friday with a 45-35 win at Chaparral Stadium.
Tigers wideout Merrik Bloomgren hauled in eight passes for 164 yards and two TDs, with Cooper Reid tallying two scoring receptions and James Montgomery finishing with five catches for 112 yards and a touchdown. Dripping Springs (9-1, 5-1 District 26-6A) finished with more than 530 yards of offense. The Tigers will be the district's top seed in the Division II playoffs and host Vista Ridge.
Rees Wise had 363 yards and three touchdowns passing and ran for 66 yards and two scores to lead Westlake (7-3, 4-2), which will go to District 25-6A champion Vandegrift next week to open the postseason.
The replay of the contest, which was one of the best games of the year in Central Texas, between two of the top programs in Austin area high school football is below:
Ian French kicks a 45-yard field goal to give Dripping Springs a two-possession lead. This will be Dripping Springs' first win over Westlake if the Tigers hold on.
Dripping Springs converts a third-and-6 and has the ball at the Westlake 29. The Chaps have one timeout left.
Dripping Springs takes the lead as Chase Ames hits Cooper Reid on an 8-yard TD pass. Ames has 398 yards and five touchdowns passing.
Dripping Springs goes for it on fourth-and-5 from the Westlake 46 and gets a first down on a pass-interference penalty.
After a long kickoff return to the 48, the Tigers tie the game on the drive's first play with a 52-yard TD pass from Chase Ames to Merrik Bloomgren.
Rees Wise connects with Lawson Grimes on a 54-yard touchdown pass to put Westlake ahead. Wise has thrown for 328 yards and three touchdowns and run for 69 yards and two scores.
Dripping Springs answers on its second play with a 75-yard scoring strike from Chase Ames to James Montgomery. Ames now has 308 yards and three touchdowns passing.
Following a 66-yard pass to Jack Newhouse, Rees Wise crosses the goal line from 6 yards out to give Westlake the lead. Wise now has two rushing TDs to go along with two passing scores.
Westlake misses a 48-yard field goal attempt. Dripping Springs takes over at its own 31.
Dripping Springs running back Jaceton Gotta breaks two tackles in the backfield and sprints 18 yards into the end zone to tie the game.
Colton Hanson intercepts a tipped pass for Dripping Springs. The Tigers take over at the Westlake 27.
Westlake defensive back Thompson Bennett intercepts Tigers quarterback Chase Ames. The Chaps take over at their own 25.
It's everything you would expect from two of the top teams in Central Texas. Rees Wise has thrown for 174 yards and two touchdowns and run for a score for Westlake, while Chase Ames has passed for 206 yards and two TDs to lead Dripping Springs. The difference so far is the Tigers getting to the Westlake 2, then losing 26 yards and eventually missing a 45-yard field goal.
After converting a fourth-and-7, Dripping Springs gets to the Westlake 2. A snap over the quarterback's head gives the Tigers a loss of 26 yards after Jaceton Gotta recovers the ball. Dripping Springs then misses a 45-yard field goal.
Rees Wise tosses a 24-yard scoring strike to Lawson Grimes to cap off a 75-yard drive and put the Chaps ahead. Wise has 167 yards and two touchdowns passing and another TD rushing.
Dripping Springs answers with with a three-play, 75-yard drive as Chase Ames hits Cooper Reid on a 47-yard TD pass.
Rees Wise scores on a 13-yard TD run to give Westlake its first lead.
Westlake defensive back Mason Lastor intercepts a tipped pass to give the Chaps the ball at the Tigers 32
The teams trade punts. Dripping Springs takes over at its own 20.
Westlake answers with a quick 75-yard scoring drive to tie the game on Rees Wise's 17-yard TD pass to Braden Riddell.
Chase Ames throws a 30-yard TD pass to Merrik Bloomgren to put the Tigers on the board less than two minutes into the game.
The Chaps go for it on fourth-and-1 from their own 34 and fail to get it. Dripping Springs takes over with good field position.
This will be updated once the game begins.
Eight Central Texas high school volleyball teams advanced to the regional volleyball finals with six of those teams in a “déjà vu all over again” rematch with district rivals for a state tournament semifinal berth on the line:• District 26-6A champion Austin High faces district rival (and 2022 state champion) Dripping Springs.• District 25-5A rivals Cedar Park and Liberty Hill will meet for the third time this season. It's a rematch of the 2024 regional finals. This is the Panthers' fourth st...
Eight Central Texas high school volleyball teams advanced to the regional volleyball finals with six of those teams in a “déjà vu all over again” rematch with district rivals for a state tournament semifinal berth on the line:
• District 26-6A champion Austin High faces district rival (and 2022 state champion) Dripping Springs.
• District 25-5A rivals Cedar Park and Liberty Hill will meet for the third time this season. It's a rematch of the 2024 regional finals. This is the Panthers' fourth straight regional final appearance, with wins in 2022 and 2023.
• Georgetown Gateway Prep will meet district champion Salado.
• And Wimberley, the District 26-4A champion as well as the defending state champion, plays district rival Canyon Lake.
Meanwhile, Westlake and Georgetown also advanced to regional finals. The Chaps will play San Antonio O'Connor, which has beaten Austin-area powers Lake Travis and Johnson in the last two rounds, while the Eagles face Friendswood, which just eliminated Weiss.
Area teams that fell in the third round: Anderson, Marble Falls, Hendrickson, Weiss, Lago Vista, Johnson City and Johnson.
Anderson powers Dripping Springs: Two-time Central Texas player of the year and Texas Longhorns commit Henley Anderson slammed 30 kills and had 15 digs to lead Dripping Springs past New Braunfels Canyon 25-21, 25-20, 26-24. Anderson hit .571 in the sweep. Sydney Lund added three kills and 10 digs and Emerson Robbins added 16 digs.
Austin High sweeps: Austin High swept Laredo Alexander 25-19, 25-23, 25-18 behind USC commit Riley Malloy's 11 kills and 11 digs and Texas commit Camille Presley's eight kills. Maggie McCarroll had nine assists and five kills while Laven Blumoff had 19 digs.
Westlake tops Steele: Westlake beat District 27-6A champion Cibolo Steele 25-17, 25-18, 24-26, 25-22 behind a well-balanced attack. Chloe Kelly had 16 kills, nine digs and four blocks, Geralynn Byers-Veal had 15 kills, Sydney Yohe had eight and Clayton Kelly had seven kills, 11 digs and 19 assists. Kyrksen Cook had 26 assists. “The girls executed the game plan, they looked composed and confident,” Westlake coach Miguel Saenz said.
Cedar Park beats Mission Pioneer: Stanford commit Joy Udoye slammed 18 kills while Sienna Benavides added 13 and Mya Cheatum had 12. Katelyn Hughes had 31 assists and Sibley Oster added 17. Anna Kurz led the defense with 24 digs while Udoye doubled up with 16.
Liberty Hill blasts Memorial: Sophomore Hannah Griffin had 16 kills and freshman Macee Walters added 10 as Liberty Hill swept McAllen Memorial 25-21, 25-23, 25-23 to advance to its fourth straight Region IV final. Griffin served a pair of aces while Walters added two blocks. Addison Betzen had 10 digs and coordinated Liberty Hill's offense with 36 assists.
Georgetown rallies: Florida commit Amelia Albright had 16 kills, 19 assists, nine digs and a pair of aces to lead Georgetown past Montgomery 13-25, 25-23, 25-19, 25-18. Albright led the rally after Georgetown dropped the opening set, hitting .429. Taylor Vett added nine kills and Makenna Stengle had seven.
Weiss falls in shootout: Weiss capped a big 39-9 season with a tough loss to Friendswood 22-25, 26-24, 25-22, 23-25, 11-15. Freshman setter Ava Jackson had 45 assists, finishing the season with nearly 1,300. Deja Carroll had 21 kills and Rihanna Bryant added 12. Ashley Go finished with 27 digs and four aces. “This team did an amazing job this season," Weiss coach Karen Huffman said. "Incredible leadership, chemistry, resiliency. The growth all season was incredible.”
Hendrickson, Anderson fall: College Station swept Hendrickson 25-21, 25-11, 25-12, using a strong serve game and excellent ball control to keep the athletic Hawks out of their offensive rhythm. .... Anderson capped a strong season with a loss to A&M Consolidated 25-18, 25-21, 25-16. Anderson started the season 5-7 with a young team and first year head coach Kaya Allen, but the Trojans found their stride and posted a 14-0 district record, winning 16 of 17 matches before losing in the regional semifinals.
Wimberley wins again: Wimberley was on Sweeny from first serve to last as the Texans dominated the Bulldogs 25-9, 25-18, 25-8. Lilli Sandoval led the offense with 12 kills while setter Carson Peoples had 18 assists, and Ashton Shipman led the defense with 14 digs. Skylar Herring served four aces. The Texans improved to 44-5 and faces district rival Canyon Lake for the fourth time the season having won the previous three meetings by a combined eight sets to none.
Class 6A DI: Westlake vs. S.A. O’Connor, 7 p.m., Fredericksburg
Class 6A DII: Austin High vs. Dripping Springs, 6:30 p.m., Burger Center
Class 5A DII: Liberty Hill vs. Cedar Park, 6 p.m., Delco Center; Georgetown vs. Friendswood, 5:30 p.m., Merrell Center
Class 4A DII: Wimberley vs. Canyon Lake, 7 p.m., Blossom-Littleton; Gateway College Prep vs. Salado, 7 p.m., Mary Hardin-Baylor
The regular season for high school football in Texas will be over on Friday night. The playoffs will begin next Thursday and Friday. The American-Statesman takes a look at playoff scenarios from every UIL school district in Central Texas. From Lake Travis and Vandegrift to Blanco and Thorndale, every team that makes the playoffs will start from scratch next week.Here is a breakdown of the Austin-area district races:District 25-6AWho's in: Vandegrift (6-1) and Hutto (6-1)What's next:...
The regular season for high school football in Texas will be over on Friday night. The playoffs will begin next Thursday and Friday. The American-Statesman takes a look at playoff scenarios from every UIL school district in Central Texas. From Lake Travis and Vandegrift to Blanco and Thorndale, every team that makes the playoffs will start from scratch next week.
Here is a breakdown of the Austin-area district races:
Who's in: Vandegrift (6-1) and Hutto (6-1)
What's next: Round Rock (5-2) will go to the playoffs if it beats Vandegrift on Friday. McNeil (5-2) advances to playoffs with a win over Hutto. If Vista Ridge (4-3) beats Westwood (2-5), there is a chance for a two- or three-way tie for the last two spots in the playoffs. Vandegrift is seeking its eighth straight district title
Who's in: Lake Travis (5-0), Dripping Springs (4-1), Westlake 4-1), Bowie (3-3)
What's next: Lake Travis and Bowie will go to playoffs in 6A Division I because they have larger enrollments than Dripping Springs and Westlake. Friday's Dripping Springs-Westlake game will determine which of those teams gets top spot in DII. No matter what happens, there will be a very intriguing first-round matchup when the playoffs begin: defending 6A DII state champion Vandegrift against Dripping Springs or Westlake.
Who's in: Georgetown (6-0) and Cedar Park (5-1)
What's next: There is a chance that East View (4-2), Lake Belton (3-3) and Rouse (3-3) can finish in a three-way tie for third and fourth place. East View will get in with a win over Leander (2-4) on Friday. Lake Belton will be the No. 4 team with a win over Killeen Chaparral. Rouse would need a victory over Glenn and a Chaparral loss to get in.
Who's in: Anderson (7-0), A&M Consolidated (6-1), College Station (6-2) and Weiss (5-2)
What's next: Anderson, which is seeking its first 10-0 regular season, can win the district outright with a win over Weiss on Thursday. Either way, the Trojan will be the No. 1 seed from the district. How close was this district? Consider that Anderson defeated A&M Consolidated 42-40 in five overtimes on Sept. 26.
Who's in: Bastrop (6-0), Liberty Hill (6-0) and Pflugerville (4-2)
What's next: Bastrop and Liberty Hill will battle for the district championship Friday night at Panther Stadium. McCallum (3-3) will claim the fourth spot with a win over Crockett (1-8) or a Connally (3-3) loss to Pflugerville.
Who's in: Stephenville (3-0), Brownwood (2-1), Lampasas (2-2) and Burnet (1-2)
What's next: Burnet gets the last spot in the playoffs in 4-4A DI for beating Marble Falls (0-3) 35-14 On Oct. 10.
Who's in: LBJ (5-0 in 12-4A DI) and Taylor (4-1)
What's next: Manor New Tech (3-2) will reach the playoffs with a win over Northeast (1-4) or a loss by Travis (2-3) against Taylor. Eastside (3-2) will make the playoffs with a win over LBJ on Thursday or a loss by Travis.
Who's in: Jarrell (4-1), Salado (4-1) and Wimberley (4-1)
What's next: Gonzales (2-3) will be the fourth team from the district with a win over Jarrell. Lago Vista (2-3) would need to beat Wimberley and have Gonzales lose to Jarrell to make the playoffs.
Who's in: Blanco (3-0), Lexington (2-1), Rogers (2-1), Comfort (1-2)
What's next: Blanco will win the outright district championship with a win over Comfort Friday.
Who's in: Mason (4-0), Thorndale (3-1) and San Saba (3-1)
What's next: The game between Harper (1-3) and Johnson City (1-3) will determine the fourth team to reach the playoffs.
— Rick Cantu
It’s not for the District 26-6A title, but a lot is on the line in this matchup. The winner will be the No. 1 seed in Division II for the playoffs — Lake Travis and Bowie are the district’s Division I teams — and likely avoid a matchup with Vandegrift in the first round. Both teams lost to Lake Travis. Expect a late field goal to be the difference.
Gordon’s pick: Westlake 24-21
Vandegrift claims its eighth straight district title with a win. Round Rock is playing for its playoff life and to guarantee itself an above .500 season. The Vipers may not be the juggernaut they were a year ago, but they’re still one of the area’s best teams. Expect Vandegrift to take care of business by at least 10 points.
Gordon’s pick: Vandegrift 30-17
In arguably the area’s best game, the contest is also for the District 8-5A Division I title. No one has stopped Georgetown’s high-flying offense in district play. And though Cedar Park’s offense is nothing to sneer at, the Eagles seem to be peaking at the right time. Expect a lot of points and a Georgetown win.
Gordon’s pick: Georgetown 45, Cedar Park 41
It’s Bastrop’s aerial show vs. Liberty Hill’s ground attack for the District 11-5A Division II title. Neither team has been challenged in district play, while the Bears are gunning for an undefeated regular season. Bastrop has a slightly better defense, which will be the difference, but still expect both teams to light up the scoreboard.
Gordon’s pick: Bastrop 56, Liberty Hill 44
McNeil is playing for its season. Hutto is playing to avoid a matchup with Lake Travis in the first round. The Mavericks need a win to get in the playoffs as most of the district’s tiebreakers don’t favor them. A victory for the Hippos means they skip potentially facing one of the best teams in Texas to begin the postseason. Hutto’s offense has excelled in district play. Expect that to continue.
Gordon’s pick: Hutto 38, McNeil 34
This is a rivalry game that has a little extra juice to it. Connally needs a win to make the playoffs. Pflugerville is playing for the No. 3 seed out of District 11-5A Division II. Both teams have impressive offenses, but expect Pflugerville’s defense to make a few stops.
Gordon’s pick: Pflugerville 45, Connally 30
Last week: Cantu 14-1, Plotkin 14-1, Gordon 14-1, Tijerina 14-1
The season: T1. Cantu 115-34, T1. Plotkin 115-34, 3. Gordon 108-42 (-7), 4. Tijerina 100-50 (-50)
— Colby Gordon
Dripping Springs at Westlake: Dripping Springs — Plotkin; Westlake — Gordon, Cantu, Tijerina
Vandegrift at Round Rock: Vandegrift — Gordon, Cantu, Tijerina, Plotkin; Round Rock — None
McNeil at Hutto: McNeil — None; Hutto — Gordon, Cantu, Tijerina, Plotkin
Vista Ridge at Westwood: Vista Ridge — Gordon, Cantu, Tijerina, Plotkin; Westwood — None
Anderson at Weiss: Anderson — Gordon, Tijerina, Plotkin; Weiss — Cantu
Cedar Park at Georgetown: Cedar Park — None; Georgetown — Gordon, Cantu, Tijerina, Plotkin
Bastrop at Liberty Hill: Bastrop — Gordon, Cantu, Tijerina, Plotkin; Liberty Hill — None
East View at Leander: East View — Gordon, Cantu, Tijerina, Plotkin; Leander — None
Connally vs. Pflugerville: Connally — Plotkin; Pflugerville — Gordon, Cantu, Tijerina
Wimberley at Lago Vista: Wimberley — Gordon, Cantu, Tijerina, Plotkin; Lago Vista — None
San Marcos at NB Canyon: San Marcos — Gordon, Cantu, Tijerina, Plotkin; NB Canyon —
Crockett at McCallum: Crockett — None; McCallum — Gordon, Cantu, Tijerina, Plotkin
Taylor at Travis: Taylor — Gordon, Cantu, Plotkin; Travis — Tijerina
Lehman vs. Hays: Lehman — None; Hays — Gordon, Cantu, Tijerina, Plotkin
Hyde Park at Regents: Hyde Park — None; Regents — Gordon, Cantu, Tijerina, Plotkin
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