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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

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Home Care In Reinbeck, IA

Home Care Reinbeck, IA

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 Harold "Pie" Keller Memorial 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 Reinbeck, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Reinbeck, IA

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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.

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TESTIMONIALS

“Always best care provided excellent caregivers to us. I am really happy with the care and support they provided to my father. Highly recommended to all!”

James T.
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TESTIMONIALS

“On behalf of my family, I would like to thank Always Best care for all the support your caregivers have provided to my mother. She was very pleased with the care she received. I confidently recommend Always Best Care to all.”

Michael H.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care in Cedar Valley IA realy helps me a lot. They have Reliable Caregivers who helped me to take care of my loved one for several years. They are highly trained and managed well the daily routines and activities like bathing and dressing. Caregivers of always best care is dependable and passionate to their work. I am satisfied and so glad that I chose their service. Highly recommend whoever needs their caregiving service!”

Melanie S.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Reinbeck, IA?

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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.

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

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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.

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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 Reinbeck, IA

Types of Elderly Care in Reinbeck, IA

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 Reinbeck, IA
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 Reinbeck, IA
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 Reinbeck Greenbelt Area 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 Reinbeck, IA
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 El Camino Restaurant or visit Reinbeck Greenbelt Area, 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 Reinbeck, IA

Benefits of Home Care in Reinbeck, IA

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.

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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 Reinbeck, IA, 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 Reinbeck, IA

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 IA'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 Reinbeck, IA

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 Reinbeck, IA 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 Reinbeck, IA

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 Reinbeck, IA

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:

  • The Elms Reinbeck
  • Parkview Manor Nursing Home
  • Westview Estates
Home Care Reinbeck, IA

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 Reinbeck, IA

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

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

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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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 Reinbeck, IA 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 Reinbeck, IA

Latest News in Reinbeck, IA

Reinbeck Fire Department holds town hall to kick off capital campaign ahead of possible bond vote on new facility

REINBECK — The Reinbeck Fire Department is ready to ‘ignite change’ by constructing a new emergency services building.On Sunday, Oct. 27, roughly 20 members of the public joined practically as many members of the Reinbeck Fire Dept. in the Memorial Building for an afternoon town hall held to address the department’s fundraising campaign for construction of a new, $3.9 million Reinbeck Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services building on a city-owned lot located north of Highway 175 on the eastern edge of town....

REINBECK — The Reinbeck Fire Department is ready to ‘ignite change’ by constructing a new emergency services building.

On Sunday, Oct. 27, roughly 20 members of the public joined practically as many members of the Reinbeck Fire Dept. in the Memorial Building for an afternoon town hall held to address the department’s fundraising campaign for construction of a new, $3.9 million Reinbeck Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services building on a city-owned lot located north of Highway 175 on the eastern edge of town.

“This has been a project we’ve been talking about for a lot of years and we just want to move forward with it,” Fire Chief Chris Heasley said.

Back in April of 2022, the city council approved the purchase of a four acre parcel of land for $160,000 from Brad Ohrt with the intention of one day building a new fire station on the land by way of a general obligation bond measure, which would require a supermajority of 60 percent public approval.

In the years since acquiring the land, the fire department has spent time not only fundraising for the new building – collecting $314,777 total while spending $127,000 — but also fine tuning the project plans including scaling back from a steel building to a less costly wood frame option.

On Sunday afternoon, Heasley, along with Assistant Fire Chief Tim Johnson and EMS Captain Dan Mohlis, gave a presentation on the capital campaign with the ultimate goal of avoiding a bond referendum by funding the building’s construction through community donations.

“It’s going to take everybody in this community and beyond to help fund something like this,” Johnson said.

Heasley, Johnson, and Mohlis began their presentation by exploring the history of the Reinbeck Fire Dept. through a series of detailed slides.

“The Reinbeck Fire Department was established in 1892. We’ve consistently served the community for over 132 years and will continue serving both our city and our rural fire district for many years to come,” one of the slides stated.

Three main entities along with the community’s citizens fund the department: the City of Reinbeck, the Reinbeck Farmers Fire Association, and Reinbeck Firemen Inc.

While the city provides for the fire station, one city pumper, and an annual budget to sustain operations, the Farmers Fire Association funds all remaining fire trucks plus necessary PPE and equipment for fire, rescue, and EMS.

The third entity, Reinbeck Firemen Inc., is the nonprofit fundraising arm of the department.

Current station

The presenters then moved on to the inadequacies of the current fire station, which is located on Broad Street adjacent to the Memorial Building and was built decades ago. The chief problem, Heasley said, is size.

“The outdated building lacks sufficient space for housing modern apparatus and conducting essential training,” a presentation slide stated. “Congestion within the facility increases the risk of equipment damage and personal injury due to close quarters. Additionally, the scattered gear lockers can create communication challenges, further hindering operational efficiency.”

A visit next door to the station’s current six bays which are housed in two connected buildings quickly proves Heasley’s point – with all the trucks backed inside there is practically zero space remaining to access turnout gear unless a firefighter were the width of a board and somehow a magician who could get dressed while smashed against a fire truck’s side.

“Everything is so tight,” Heasley said. “You can’t get [truck] doors open.”

“Firefighters are standing in the way of the trucks trying to get out,” Johnson said. “Sometimes we can’t even see them (when they’re dressing).”

The station measures 4,200 square feet. There are no safe drive through bays due to the building’s layout as the alley is too tight for anything other than grass trucks. There is also a lack of storage space leading to various hazmat, mass casualty, and grain bin rescue equipment stored all over the back of the building with no good way to transport it.

But one of the biggest challenges lies in the overhead door height of the station’s bays, which are not tall enough to accommodate the size of modern fire trucks.

“Any new truck would be too large to fit into the bays,” Johnson said.

In addition to all those issues, maneuvering fire trucks in and out of the building onto Broad Street — where parking can be extremely tight on Friday and Saturday nights due to all of the patrons downtown — is set to become even more complicated once a new, 10-unit upper story apartment building on the corner of Broad and Main opens in the future.

Planning for the future

Countless times throughout the presentation, both Healsey and Johnson said their goal is to build a new fire and emergency services building that will serve the community well into the future – 50 years at least.

“The plans will serve our community in the near-term but more importantly we’re planning now for the long-term,” a presentation slide stated. “This will be a challenge to fund as it stands, but this is a challenge we’re ready to take head on. Future generations will face higher prices and further funding challenges. We need to act now to continue to serve and protect our community.”

The proposed new building – measuring just under 14,000 square feet, including 9,900 square feet of apparatus floor area – would cost $3.9 million to construct (including paving), while site prep would add another $310,000, bringing the grand total to $4.21 million.

The building would face Highway 175 to the south and would include seven bay doors with four of those doors allowing entry and exit from both sides of the building. There would also be an office area, radio room, EMS storage, a training room, and kitchen and laundry facilities. Much of the storage space would be located on the building’s mezzanine.

Current plans are to hold a bond vote in November 2025 for $3 million, with the remainder of the funds raised through donations, grants, and fundraising events.

“The more [funds] we can raise, the less that bond amount can be,” Heasley said. “The more we can raise … the less stress it puts on the city.”

While the fire department had planned to put a public measure on the upcoming Nov. 5 ballot, a mistake at City Hall over the summer regarding election deadlines ultimately sank those plans. It’s a situation Heasley admitted he was not too happy about but ultimately believes might be for the best due to all that is on the ballot next week — including a Gladbrook-Reinbeck school bond referendum.

“We know there’s plenty of other things [on the ballot],” he said. “We don’t want to compete with (those) … because obviously we all want the school to stay.”

The big ask

At the conclusion of their presentation but before taking questions from the audience, both Heasley and Johnson admitted the amount the fire department is trying to raise constitutes a big ask, but they said it’s a challenge they’re “ready to take head on.”

“We need to act now,” Johnson said in reference to the annual 3-5 percent increase in construction costs. “We’re going to continue to work on this through this winter and fundraise.”

To that end, those who would like to donate to Reinbeck Fire Department’s fire and emergency services building fund can make a tax-deductible donation by dropping off checks (made payable to Reinbeck Firemen Inc.) at City Hall (414 Main St. Reinbeck, IA 50669) or at any Lincoln Savings Bank branch. As part of the fundraising campaign, plaques will be placed in the new building recognizing those who donate $1,000 or more.

Farmers can also give the gift of grain this harvest season toward the building fund at Heartland Co-op.

“Remember what we do for you in your community,” Johnson said as the hour-long town hall neared completion. “Your money will be spent well.”

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First-career touchdown catch helps Gladbrook-Reinbeck to second-straight state title

CEDAR FALLS, Ia. — John Olson likes to tell a story about Matt Johannsen. The Gladbrook-Reinbeck coach says his junior receiver cares so much about doing well for his team that he’ll get down on himself when he screws up.“That shows me he cares a ton about making good plays,” Olson said. “So when he does screw up, he needs to learn to overcome that.“That’s why I’m extremely happy for him as an individual to catch that touchdown there at the end.”Gladbrook-Reinbeck bea...

CEDAR FALLS, Ia. — John Olson likes to tell a story about Matt Johannsen. The Gladbrook-Reinbeck coach says his junior receiver cares so much about doing well for his team that he’ll get down on himself when he screws up.

“That shows me he cares a ton about making good plays,” Olson said. “So when he does screw up, he needs to learn to overcome that.

“That’s why I’m extremely happy for him as an individual to catch that touchdown there at the end.”

Gladbrook-Reinbeck beat Bishop Garrigan, Algona, 20-19, in a thrilling Class A state championship game Thursday. It’s the Rebels second consecutive state title. They are the first Class A team to repeat since Southern Cal of Lake City in 2008 and 2009.

And it wouldn’t have been without Johannsen, who allowed an early go-ahead touchdown to the Golden Bears (12-1) but turned around and caught the game-winning 24-yard touchdown pass with 6 minutes, 29 seconds left in the fourth quarter for the Rebels (13-0).

“He responded to adversity,” Olson said, “and that was pretty sweet for him.”

Johannsen entered Thursday with just three catches to his name for a measly 37 yards, and entered this season as the Rebels’ fourth receiver after hardly playing last year. The three in front of him — Walker Thede, Erik Knaack and Matt Roeding — combined for 63 catches, 1,146 yards and 12 touchdowns this year.

Because he was buried on the offensive depth chart, he made his presence felt defensively, where he was fourth on the team with 39.5 tackles with two interceptions before Thursday. His speed made him an asset, Olson said, regardless of where he played, but early on Thursday, he was anything but.

Midway through the second quarter, Bishop Garrigan was in the midst of a nine-play, 59-yard scoring drive that ended when quarterback Brad Capesius found Joel Vaske for a wide-open 24-yard touchdown. He was wide open because Johannsen, who was covering Vaske, fell down.

“From then on,” Johannsen said, “I kept it in my mind that I had to redeem myself and help my team win a championship.”

That score gave the Bears a 13-0 lead, but the Rebels roared back, scoring twice in 58 seconds to lead 14-13 at halftime. Gladbrook-Reinbeck finished with a narrow edge in total yards, 307 to 293, and first downs, 16-15, but trailed 19-14 after Capesius hit Vaske again for a 10-yard score early in the fourth.

From there, the Rebels embarked on an eight-play, 58-yard drive that soaked up 3:18 of game time. After seven plays, they faced a fourth-and-8 at the Bishop Garrigan 24-yard line. The play call was “spread right, 50 vegas switch,” a play Johannsen said they had practiced this week — though he didn’t believe he’d get the ball.

“The receivers basically both ran a go-route, and then switched,” said quarterback Hunter Lott, who finished 11 of 14 for 139 yards passing along with 38 more yards rushing and two total touchdowns. “Matt was the one who came open, and I trust him. He made a play.”

The ball soared through the air and Johannsen chased it down in the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown, the first of his career. It ultimately stood up as the game-winner, for Garrigan attempted a fourth-and-2 near midfield on the ensuing drive, and failed to convert.

Afterwards, Johannsen stood inside a room underneath the UNI-Dome, his sweat still fresh, his emotions still processing. It hadn’t quite sunk in just yet, he said, but he added that it probably will soon.

“I didn’t think I was going to get a pass in the state finals,” Johannsen said. “But it ended up happening.”

Cody Goodwin covers high school sports, college basketball recruiting and Drake athletics for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at (816) 582-0633, email him at [email protected], or send him a tweet at @codygoodwin.

Gladbrook-Reinbeck 20, Bishop Garrigan, Algona 19

First Downs: 16; 15

Rushes-Yards: 38-168; 45-197

Passing: 139; 96

Comp-Att-Int: 11-14-0; 4-7-1

Fumbles-Lost: 2-2; 2-1

Penalties-Yards: 5-51; 7-45

Box Score

Bishop Garrigan, Algona: 7 6 0 6 – 19

Gladbrook-Reinbeck: 0 14 0 6 – 20

Scoring

BGA - Brad Capesius 24 yd run (Joel Vaske kick)

BGA - Joel Vaske 24 yd pass from Brad Capesius (kick failed)

G-R - Parker Bown 9 yd run (Walker Thede kick)

G-R - Hunter Lott 10 yd run (Walker Thede kick)

BGA - Joel Vaske 10 yd pass from Brad Capesius (two-point try failed)

G-R - Matt Johannsen 24 yd pass from Hunter Lott (two-point try failed)

Individual leaders

RUSHING – Bishop Garrigan: Gibson Behr 23-106; Brad Capesius 10-61; Grant

Arndorfer 11-30; Joel Vaske 1-0; Gladbrook-Reinbeck: Parker Bown 16-85; Walker

Thede 5-43; Hunter Lott 13-38; Gage Murty 3-4; TEAM 1-minus 2.

PASSING – Bishop Garrigan: Brad Capesius 4-6-0-96; Gibson Behr 0-1-1-0.

Gladbrook-Reinbeck: Hunter Lott 11-14-0-139.

RECEIVING – Bishop Garrigan: Joel Vaske 3-43; Gibson Behr 1-53.

Gladbrook-Reinbeck: Erick Knaack 4-66; Gage Murty 2-22; Walker Thede 2-17; Matt

Johannsen 1-24; Matt Roeding 1-14; Parker Bown 1-minus 4.

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