abc-logo
Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

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

Please submit form to schedule a

Personal Care Consultation

Local Magic Personal Care Consultation

Please submit this form below and we will chat shortly!

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Home Care In Rochelle, TX

Home Care Rochelle, TX

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 the historic William H. Holcomb House 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 Rochelle, TX is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Rochelle, TX

location Service Areas

The Always Best Care Difference

Since 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.

×
TESTIMONIALS

“I work for this team and it's a wonderful team , great communication and support for our clients, their family members and our caring team of staff .”

Antoinette G.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Ken and Bonnie are wonderful people to help care for your loved ones. their staff was so caring to my mother and so nice to my family I highly recommend them to take care of your loved ones. I think there ought to be more than just five stars to give them”

Mark A.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Ken and Bonnie were wonderful to work with. They were able to provide my mother with care and a very short notice. Their staff was some of the most caring people that I've ever met. Not only were they wonderful to my mother but also to my family. I would highly recommend using them.”

Mark A.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Very professional and welcoming people so I would definitely recommend my friends and family to Always Best Care in Boerne.”

Laurie K.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“The owner is so understanding and supportive of how I want my loved ones cared for. He and his staff actually listen to what I would like done for my parents. Very thoughtful, very professional and very caring. It’s such a relief to have help in caring for my loved ones”

Kristen B.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“ALWAYS BEST CARE is certainly a warm & caring business owned & operated by Ken Thomas. I certainly would recommend them for you or your loved ones excellent care.”

Shirley S.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Kenneth is kind, patient, experienced and knowledgeable. We are thankful to him for all his efforts and for going above and beyond.”

Chae S.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“For those who are searching for qualified caregivers for their loved ones, contact Ken Thomas at Always Best Care Senior Services. Mr. Thomas provides an authentic and professional guiding hand when discussing available services for your precious senior family members. When it is time for a beloved senior to receive assistance, Mr. Thomas understands the importance of providing trustworthy and quality support.”

Melissa C.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Ken leads his Always Best Care Senior Services Agency with compassion for his clients and their families. He is a local senior care expert and leader in his community. If you are need of assistance in navigating your local senior care options, then do not hesitate to give Ken a call!”

Kelly B.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Kenneth is knowledgeable and trustworthy. I can’t recommend him enough. You’re in good hands with Kenneth.”

Chae S.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“I will be forever grateful for the love you showered upon us and my grandmother”

Jill &.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Rochelle, TX?

lm-check

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.

lm-check

When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

lm-check

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.

lm-check

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.

 Senior Care Rochelle, TX

Types of Elderly Care in Rochelle, TX

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal 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:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Rochelle, TX
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

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:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Rochelle, TX
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

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 Kids Ground (Cooper Park) with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Rochelle, TX
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

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 Butterfly Family Restaurant or visit Flagg Township Museum, 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.

 In-Home Care Rochelle, TX

Benefits of Home Care in Rochelle, TX

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:

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.

Request More Information vector

Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

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.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

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 Rochelle, 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.

 Elderly Care Rochelle, TX

Affordable 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:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your TX's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Rochelle, TX

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

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 Rochelle, 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.

Assisted Living Referral Services

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.


Respite Care Rochelle, TX

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:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Rochelle, TX

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:

  • Liberty Village of Rochelle
  • Rochelle Gardens Care Center
  • Rochelle Rehabilitation & Health Care Center
  • Hub City Senior Center
Home Care Rochelle, TX

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.

 In-Home Care Rochelle, TX

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

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

lm-right-arrow
01

A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

lm-right-arrow
02

Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

lm-right-arrow
03

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 Rochelle, 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.

 Elderly Care Rochelle, TX

Latest News in Rochelle, TX

Rochelle ISD approved by TEA for Teacher Incentive Allotment

ROCHELLE, Texas – Five teachers at Rochelle ISD have been approved for the Region 15 Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) under House Bill 3.Since being approved in 2019, the TEA and TIA have been providing funds to teachers who excel in their work within their low social-economic and rural school districts. Out of the 1,200 school districts in Texas, only 127 districts have teachers that were awarded under HB3 this year. ...

ROCHELLE, Texas – Five teachers at Rochelle ISD have been approved for the Region 15 Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) under House Bill 3.

Since being approved in 2019, the TEA and TIA have been providing funds to teachers who excel in their work within their low social-economic and rural school districts. Out of the 1,200 school districts in Texas, only 127 districts have teachers that were awarded under HB3 this year.

Those that receive this award are given one of three titles: Recognized, Exemplary, or Master.

Three of the six-man school’s teachers earned master teacher, two are exemplary and one is recognized.

Junior High mathematics teacher Kristi Lewis, Junior High science teacher Jamie Fields and High School English and Language Arts teacher Natanya Turk are all awarded and recognized as master teachers.

High school social study teacher Rex Ewert and third-grade teacher Angie King are being recognized by the TEA as exemplary.

Dyslexia and GT teacher Karen McWilliams is noted as a recognized teacher as well.

“According to the state, the average school district has about 5% of their teachers recognized as master teachers under the bill,” said Rochelle ISD Superintendent Dave Lewis. “Rochelle ISD has 15% of its teachers recognized as master teachers this year.”

Each of these teachers will receive a $6,000 to $15,000 bonus in May for the next five years depending on their classification.

“We are very proud to have so many great teachers ranging in different areas of the school receiving this incentive,” said Lewis. “I think this helps show Rochelle ISD’s focus on all campuses, not just one.”

The Rochelle community including the administration, teachers and citizens helped come together to create a system to help reward teachers for their efforts as well as retain staff. Rochelle ISD had successfully entered into the TEA application process for TIA in July of 2020 after creating a plan that worked for the school and followed TEA guidelines. The 2020 to 2021 school year served as a year for data collection for the application. Teachers worked to fully master curriculum assessment, Student Learning Objections and remediation strategies so that administration could complete evaluations that met Texas Tech University guidelines. Texas Tech worked independently with Rochelle ISD to help evaluate the system the district put in place.

“All teachers deserved to be recognized for all their hard work,” Lewis said.

Texas AG challenger says lawsuit preventing the Biden administration from protecting abortions in medical emergencies is 'state-sanctioned femicide'

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a suit against the Biden administration over its guidance supporting emergency abortions in a move his opponent argues is "state-sanctioned femicide."President Joe Biden last week ...

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a suit against the Biden administration over its guidance supporting emergency abortions in a move his opponent argues is "state-sanctioned femicide."

President Joe Biden last week signed an executive order that reaffirmed federal rules in place by the Department of Health and Human Services that say patients must have access to abortion in the event of a medical emergency. On Thursday, in response to the order, Paxton filed a suit arguing the president was "attempting to twist federal law to force abortions" in the state of Texas.

"SCOTUS returned the issue to states. TX law protects pre-born life. Biden's HHS is attempting to undo all that," Paxton said in a statement. "Not on my watch. I just filed suit. I'll ensure the left's abortion agenda can't reach TX babies."

Paxton's lawsuit, which calls Roe v. Wade a "terrible regime," argues that, through the use of the executive order, the Biden administration is attempting "to use federal law to transform every emergency room in the country into a walk-in abortion clinic." The suit seeks to allow Texas to disregard the guidance from HHS, allowing the state to determine what medical procedures are legal and allowable in their hospitals.

"This is state-sanctioned femicide that he is advocating for. He is advocating for the intentional killing of women," Rochelle Garza, a Democratic nominee for Attorney General and challenger against Paxton told MSNBC. "We need to vote him out before he turns Texas into a morgue and takes that nationwide."

Representatives for Paxton and Garza did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

"This is absolute extremism," Garza added. "Taking away rights from women like they did with the fall of Roe wasn't enough for them. Now they're going after all women."

Sign up for notifications from Insider! Stay up to date with what you want to know.

Subscribe to push notifications

Close icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. It indicates a way to close an interaction, or dismiss a notification.

Rochelle Garza Steps Into New Role

After a long and contentious campaign for Attorney General, no one would fault Rochelle Garza for taking a break to rest and rejuvenate. Instead, the civil rights attorney did the exact opposite and became the President of the Texas Civil Rights Project (TCRP).TCRP, which was established in 1990, plays a crucial role in defending civil rights throughout Texas with a unique “community-lawyering” structure. They have fi...

After a long and contentious campaign for Attorney General, no one would fault Rochelle Garza for taking a break to rest and rejuvenate. Instead, the civil rights attorney did the exact opposite and became the President of the Texas Civil Rights Project (TCRP).

TCRP, which was established in 1990, plays a crucial role in defending civil rights throughout Texas with a unique “community-lawyering” structure. They have five offices throughout the state and have been instrumental as a bulwark against a hostile state government. Last year, Mimi Marziani announced she was stepping down from the organization and a search committee was formed to locate a new President.

The Signal spoke with Garza, who officially started her new role on February 1. She said it was an “honor” to lead an organization that is at the forefront of voting rights, criminal justice reform, and ensuring that border communities are treated with respect. “I am incredibly proud to lead this organization and to make good on my campaign promises of fighting for civil rights in Texas, and building a Texas that is big enough for all of us,” said Garza.

Garza acknowledges that the structure of TCRP with its community lawyering model is “unique,” and provides a lot of opportunities to partner with groups like LUPE, an immigrant advocate network. Currently, TCRP is tracking over 700 bills in the Texas legislature.

Last week they were at the Capitol testifying against Senate Bill 147, which would prohibit people from Iran, North Korea, Russia, and China from purchasing property in Texas. According to Garza, SB 147 is a blatant “violation of our Constitution.” She also underscored how it would heighten anti-Asian and anti-immigrant sentiment at a time when AAPI communities have been particularly targeted.

During her run for Attorney General, Garza emphasized the importance of voting rights, and was forceful in her opposition against suppression bills like Senate Bill 1. Texas is already one of the hardest places to vote, and just one of a handful of states that has no online voter registration.

Now the legislature could pass another voter suppression bill that would make it a felony if somebody voted not knowing they were ineligible to do so. For Garza, that’s a step in the wrong direction. “We should make it easier to vote.”

The end of the legislative session is quickly approaching, and there are perhaps some special sessions looming beyond that. TCRP is committed to continuing their role as an advocate for a better and more hospitable Texas. With Garza at the helm, that role will continue to flourish. As for Garza, she calls herself an “eternal optimist” that believes a better Texas is possible. “We’ve got to fight for the Texas that we deserve.”

No. 15 Rochelle Hornets hope depth pays off in return to playoffs

With almost double the number of players listed on his preseason media information form as he listed for the 2020 season, Rochelle High School head football coach John Cherry has more confidence than ever in his team’s abilities.Going into his fourth season leading the Hornets, Cherry said experience as well as depth are strengths for Rochelle, which despite not always having strength in numbers has compiled a nifty 19-12 record over three seasons and come into the last two seasons with a preseason state ranking....

With almost double the number of players listed on his preseason media information form as he listed for the 2020 season, Rochelle High School head football coach John Cherry has more confidence than ever in his team’s abilities.

Going into his fourth season leading the Hornets, Cherry said experience as well as depth are strengths for Rochelle, which despite not always having strength in numbers has compiled a nifty 19-12 record over three seasons and come into the last two seasons with a preseason state ranking.

This season could be the best yet, as the Hornets are ranked No. 15 in Class 1A Division II by Texas Football magazine.

“This is the most excited I’ve been about a team in a long time,” the coach said.

Cherry, who began his head coaching career at Calvert and worked two seasons as an assistant at Richland Springs before taking over at Rochelle in 2019, said the returning experience means less need for learning and more emphasis on team chemistry.

“We finally have a good senior group with good numbers and big, strong-body kids, but last year, we had five freshmen who started off and on and so now, we’re starting, off and on, five sophomores with experience on top of those seniors,” Cherry said.

“We’re not changing what the kids already know. I’m in Year 4, so everybody on the team has only played for me, so Day 1, we’re district ready…Everything rolls because it’s all instilled in them.”

Rochelle returns five starters and 20 letter winners, which in D-II ball is a real luxury. The Hornets lost two letter winners off the team that finished No. 15 in the rankings despite missing the playoffs behind Richland Springs and Cherokee.

The seniors are Josh Barron, Sean Estes, Hunter King, Dylan Rimer, Tony Soto, Jason Morgan, Robbie Pitcox and Cody Marsh. Barron, Estes, King, Rimer and Soto were all-district selections while Rimer was also a second-team all-region pick at defensive line.

Other all-district selections who return are Bobby Cole Estes, Kelton Williams, Merek Howell, Justin Lopez and Gunner King — all sophomores. Tomas Palacio is a junior returner.

Freshmen are Clayton Johns, Jace McCormick, Christopher Lopez and James McAnally.

“One of the great things for us is it’s not the same six kids playing offense that are playing defense the entire game, that you’re just wearing out, which does seem to be the norm in six-man football and a lot of times what needs to happen," Cherry said. "But I think we’re talented enough and deep enough that not a lot of those kids will have to cross over and that really, really helps us, just as far as longevity of the season and even during a game, we get to the fourth quarter, and we’re pretty fresh.”

Another thing that keeps Rochelle’s players fresh is a real commitment to the team aspect of the game.

“I’ll rotate three spread backs for the second year in a row,” Cherry said. “My kids stats aren’t going to be crazy, off-the-charts because they’re splitting reps but the kids understand our success is going to come from that. They’re not self-centered, and if you combine those three players, we’ll have good stats at that position.”

Barron (5-foot-9, 155 pounds) is the head of the spreadback group but sophomores Williams (5-6, 155) and Howell (6-0, 140) give Cherry confidence in the strategy to keep kids healthier and fresher.

A big loss for Rochelle will be felt on the sidelines as Cherry’s brother Mike, who has been his defensive coordinator for three seasons, took over as head coach and athletic director at Blanket, about 45 miles away from Rochelle. Blanket is actually in the district (15-1A) that Rochelle’s district meets in the first round of the playoffs.

“We could potentially have a Cherry Bowl in the first round of the playoffs,” John Cherry joked. “He’s going to do great things. I was super-excited for him. It’s a double-edged sword. I’m about to lose the best defensive coordinator, my best friend and family but on the flip side, you’re so excited. He’s ready to take that step.”

Cherry said his brother was well-liked by the athletes and that they were sorry to see him go but loved him enough to help him move out, sending him off with hugs and promises to meet in the playoffs.

“A lot of times a coach leaving a school doesn’t look like that, so it was a cool moment for sure,” Cherry said.

Matt Maciel, a college roommate of the Cherry brothers and a coach at Rochelle for two years, will take over as DC. He’ll be picking up where Mike Cherry left off, in terms of scheme and terminology.

A newcomer to the staff is not a newcomer at all, but former all-state spreadback Marty Flores, who helped Rochelle to a district championship in 2015 and best playoff performance (two playoff wins) in school history.

“He’s an exceptional talent and very excited to be a part of it,” Cherry said. “He wants to learn and everything I’ve asked, he’s done it quickly and done a great job of it. The kids really seem to love him.”

Mike Watkins, a native of Brookesmith who has coached most recently at Rising Star, will help Maciel with the defense.

“He has a lot of value on the Xs and Os,” Cherry said. “He’s extremely dedicated and always running something by me or Maciel, trying to learn it in depth, how all the parts move.”

While Cherry has high hopes for the Hornets, there definitely is an elephant in the 16-1A room. Or rather two elephants.

Winners of nine state championships, Richland Springs is ranked No. 4 in the state by Texas Football magazine and is the favorite to repeat as district champ. But there’s also Cherokee, who is ranked No. 10 and come as close as any district team in recent history to dethroning the Coyotes.

“I think by the end of the year, we’ll have three Top 10 teams in our district and it’s unfortunate that a Top 10 caliber team is going to be sitting home,” said Cherry, whose team must earn one of two playoff spots, unlike in 11-man districts where four teams make the playoffs. “If that team was in another district, they might be three rounds deep in the playoffs.”

“We were probably a pretty good example of that last year," said Cherry, whose team last made the playoffs in 2019. "We were Top 15 and finished 7-3 but didn’t make the playoffs and nearly every team we played last year made the playoffs, including some D-I teams….Our kids are starting to realize they don’t always have to be the ‘little brother’ and believe they can compete with anyone.”

Rochelle Hornets

District: 16-1A Division II

Head coach: John Cherry (31-13; 19-12 at Rochelle)

Last year’s record: 7-3, 2-2 district

Last district title/playoff appearance: 2015/2019

Enrollment: 49

Stadium: Hornet Pride Stadium

Returning lettermen: 20

Returning off./def. starters: 5/5

Base offense: Gun

Base defense: 4-2

Team strength: Depth and numbers

Team weakness: Limited playoff experience

Players to watch

FB/DL Sean Estes, OL/DL Dylan Rimer, SB Josh Barron, RB/LB Kelton Williams, QB/DB Merek Howell, OL/LB Justin Lopez, WR Tomas Palacio, WR/K Bobby Williams, OL/LB Bobby Cole Estes, OL/DL Jason Morgan, OL/DL Robbie Pitcox, WR/DB Tony Soto, WR/DB Hunter King, RB/DL Cody Marsh, OL/DL Gunner King.

2022 schedule

Date Opponent

Aug. 26 at Medina

Sept. 2 Nueces Canyon

Sept. 9 at Paint Rock

Sept. 16 Lometa

Sept. 23 Evant

Sept. 30 at Moran

Oct. 7 at Lohn*

Oct. 14 Richland Springs*

Oct. 21 at Cherokee*

Nov. 4 at Brookesmith*

*District game

2021 results

Stephenville Faith W 62-40

Kingdom Prep W 64-63

Paint Rock W 59-7

Medina W 93-74

Lometa L 69-20

Gustine W 71-26

Richland Springs L 79-30

Lohn W 52-0

Cherokee L 54-38

Mullin W 74-28

U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion - San Antonio

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – U.S. Army South hosted the inaugural Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Symposium in downtown San Antonio, Texas on Feb. 22 and 23, 2023.Representatives from 16 Central and South American and Caribbean partner nations participated in panel discussions, question and answer sessions, and senior leader discussions.Students from San Antonio area high schools were invited to attend from Sidney Lanier and Canyon Lake, in an effort to set an example of strong female leadership and showcase strides the armed fo...

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – U.S. Army South hosted the inaugural Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Symposium in downtown San Antonio, Texas on Feb. 22 and 23, 2023.

Representatives from 16 Central and South American and Caribbean partner nations participated in panel discussions, question and answer sessions, and senior leader discussions.

Students from San Antonio area high schools were invited to attend from Sidney Lanier and Canyon Lake, in an effort to set an example of strong female leadership and showcase strides the armed forces have made towards gender equality.

During discussions centered around recruiting and retention of women within the armed forces, U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion San Antonio Commander, Lt. Col. Adriana Ramirez-Scott, spoke on her personal journey and experiences being a woman in today’s Army.

“I found myself in a mortuary affairs unit in my very first assignment which was not at all what I expected, but I made the best of the opportunity and my experience within the unit and their ability and overall professionalism,” said Ramirez-Scott. “It made me realize that you start out as a young adult responsible for nothing, and then suddenly you are responsible for 40 adults and their family members. You realize that you were part of something so much bigger than yourself.”

Speaking of how her leadership role affects her work life balance, Ramirez-Scott strives to set an example for her daughters.

“I want to show my daughters a strong leader and a strong role model,” Ramirez-Scott said. “I want my daughters to know that you can have your cake and eat it too. You can be a leader in the United States Army as well as a mother.”

With each of the countries in attendance at varying levels of gender equality in their militaries, this forum served as a space to exchange ideas and best practices that have worked for each respective nation.

During the panel discussion, Col. Daphne Austin, commander of 410th Contracting Support Brigade, was asked about the current climate and policy changes effecting women in the military.

“We talked about these different policies that are being established to make sure that women have a voice,” Austin said. “Long gone are the days where women have to suffer in silence. Women have a voice and there are various platforms that allow women to be able to speak openly and honestly about the things that they're experiencing.”

Another panel member, Brig. Gen. Daphne Davis, U.S. Army Recruiting Command deputy commanding general of support, gave her perspective on the current status of women in leadership roles.

“When I look forward I look at the possibilities of having more women in leadership roles,” said Davis. “When women are truly integrated into the military the culture improves, and when the culture of the military improves we are stronger together.”

The common theme throughout these discussions was the integration of women and gender equality within the military.

Lt. Gen. Maria Gervais, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Deputy Commanding General-Active Duty, spoke of being the first female in her position and what that means for future generations of female leaders.

“When being the first becomes something of the past and it's just a normal occurrence, that's what we know we've made great improvements,” Gervais said. “In the U.S. Army, women have integrated into our infantry, we're growing our female leaders, women have graduated from the Army Ranger course, and we've had our first master gunner. Now others can see themselves in those positions and that's why it's important that you have the right level of diversity.”

As the students and attendees listened, keynote speaker Lt. Gen. Jody Daniels, Army Reserve Command Commanding General, shared stories of the trailblazers before her and how far we have come since.

“To encourage all of you out there and the trailblazers to follow, three million women have served in the US armed forces since the American Revolution in support and in combat roles,” said Daniels. “Women in service have earned their positions by demonstrating their talent, strength, passion, and drive.”

Students and attendees said they were inspired and encouraged by advancements made in gender equality. It was evident women serve a unique and necessary role within the armed forces at all levels.

With the partnership of male counterparts within the military, it will ensure continued success in integration, opening doors for the future generation of women who wish to serve their county. The U.S. strategy on WPS provides the Defense Department with an internationally recognized path to pursuing long-term security and stability while also demonstrating a commitment to dignity, human rights and equality under the law.

“The United States WPS strategy is a whole of government approach that guides our departments in implementing strategies that focus on the effects of armed conflict on women and girls,” said U.S. Army South Command Sergeant Major Ronald Graves. “Symposiums such as this help to build and foster diverse teams of professionals and enable the opportunity for women to serve in leadership positions at all echelons.”

Disclaimer:

This website publishes news articles that contain copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. The non-commercial use of these news articles for the purposes of local news reporting constitutes "Fair Use" of the copyrighted materials as provided for in Section 107 of the US Copyright Law.