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Home Care In Grundy Center, IA

Home Care Grundy Center, 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 Grundy Center Historical Society 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 Grundy Center, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

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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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Elderly Care for James T.
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“Always best care provided excellent caregivers to us. I am really happy with the care”

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!
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In-home Care for Michael H.
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“On behalf of my family, I would like to thank Always Best care for all”

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.
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Senior Care for Melanie S.
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“Always Best Care in Cedar Valley IA realy helps me a lot. They have Reliable”

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!
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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 Grundy Center, 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.

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Senior Care Grundy Center, IA

Types of Elderly Care in Grundy Center, 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
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Respite Care Grundy Center, 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
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Caregivers Grundy Center, 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 Orion 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
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Home Care Grundy Center, 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 The Landmark Bistro or visit The Landmark Bistro, 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.

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In-Home Care Grundy Center, IA

Benefits of Home Care in Grundy Center, 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 Grundy Center, 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 Grundy Center, 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 Grundy Center, 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 Grundy Center, 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 Grundy Center, 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 Grundy Center, 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:

  • Arlington Place at Grundy Center
  • Grundy Care Center
  • Creekside Living - Cottages and Villas
Home Care Grundy Center, 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 Grundy Center, 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 Grundy Center, 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.

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Elderly Care Grundy Center, IA

Latest News in Grundy Center, IA

Photos: Grundy Center vs. Carroll Kuemper in 2023 Class 2A Iowa high school state volleyball quarterfinals

More StoriesHome / Photos and VideosPhotos: Grundy Center vs. Carroll Kuemper in 2023 Class 2A Iowa high school state volleyball quarterfinalsJim SlosiarekOct. 31, 2023 6:31 pm, Updated: Oct. 31, 2023 6:58 pmNo. 3 Grundy Center beat No. 6 Carroll Kuemper 3-1...

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Photos: Grundy Center vs. Carroll Kuemper in 2023 Class 2A Iowa high school state volleyball quarterfinals

Jim Slosiarek

Oct. 31, 2023 6:31 pm, Updated: Oct. 31, 2023 6:58 pm

No. 3 Grundy Center beat No. 6 Carroll Kuemper 3-1 (25-19, 20-25, 25-19, 25-22) in a Class 2A Iowa high school state volleyball quarterfinal match Tuesday at Xtream Arena in Coralville.

Read More: Carlie Willis’ 28 kills help Grundy Center move along in Class 2A

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Grundy Center High School, Carroll Kuemper High School

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Iowa Adds Another 2024 PWO, Lineman Trent Cakerice

As he announced on Twitter Wednesday afternoon,Trent Cakerice, a 2024 OL/DL out of Grundy Center, Iowa will join the Hawkeyes' football squad as a preferred walk-on (PWO).He joinsGraham Ebenout of Central Lyon as ...

As he announced on Twitter Wednesday afternoon,

Trent Cakerice

, a 2024 OL/DL out of Grundy Center, Iowa will join the Hawkeyes' football squad as a preferred walk-on (PWO).

He joins

Graham Eben

out of Central Lyon as the second PWO in Iowa's 2024 recruiting class, choosing the Hawkeyes over a scholarship offer from D2 Wayne State, Sioux Falls and Northern State. He also received interest from Kansas State, Northern Illinois, South Dakota State and Northern Iowa.

100% Committedâ«ï¸ð¡ Thank you @Coach_Niemann and @HawkeyeFootball for this opportunity! pic.twitter.com/v3tM1Go0TC

— Trent Cakerice (@TCakerice) July 5, 2023

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"Thank you to my friends and family who helped me through this process," Cakerice said in his commitment statement on Twitter. "Special thanks to all of the coaches that I have had past and present for getting me here! This is a special opportunity. Go Hawks!"

One of the top defensive lineman in the state of Iowa's Class A football division, Cakerice posted 69 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks last season for the Spartans. He also returned a pick-six 20 yards for a touchdown.

Behind his 2022 campaign, the 6'5", 240-pound prospect earned First-Team All-State honors and was named All-District Defensive MVP. He also played guard on the offensive side of the ball for Grundy Center.

Along with football, Cakerice wrestles and is part of the track and field team for GC.

In addition to Eben and Cakerice, Iowa has 17 commits on scholarship in its 2024 class. That list includes

Joseph Anderson

,

Devan Kennedy

,

KJ Parker

,

Gavin Hoffman

,

Reece Vander Zee

,

Michael Burt

,

Brevin Doll

,

Xavier Williams

,

James Resar

,

Derek Weisskopf

,

Cam Buffington

,

Preston Ries

,

Drew Campbell

,

Cody Fox

,

Josh Janowski

,

Bodey McCaslin

and

William Nolan

.

Don't miss out on any of our exclusive football, basketball, and recruiting coverage. Sign up with Go Iowa Awesome here.

Photos: Hinton vs. Grundy Center in 2023 Class 2A Iowa high school state volleyball semifinals

Daily News PodcastDaily NewslettersFOLLOW USShare this article:More StoriesHome / Photos and VideosPhotos: Hinton vs. Grundy Center in 2023 Class 2A Iowa high ...

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Photos: Hinton vs. Grundy Center in 2023 Class 2A Iowa high school state volleyball semifinals

Jim Slosiarek

No. 2 Hinton swept No. 3 Grundy Center 25-16, 25-21, 25-18 in a Class 2A Iowa high school state volleyball semifinal match Wednesday at Xtream Arena in Coralville.

Read More: Hinton serves up a sweep of Grundy Center in 2A semifinals

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Hinton High School, Grundy Center High School

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Grundy Center rolls to Class 1A state football title over MFL MarMac

Colin Gordon rushes for 2 TDs, passes for 1 in Spartans’ 42-0 win; MFL MarMac finishes 11-2 with first finals appearanceK.J. Pilcher CEDAR FALLS — Colin Gordon was called on to do a lot for top-ranked Grundy Center.Often than not, he answered and produced on offense, defense and special teams.Gordon recovered a fumble on the Spartans’ first defensive play that set up the first of two first-half rushing touchdown...

Colin Gordon rushes for 2 TDs, passes for 1 in Spartans’ 42-0 win; MFL MarMac finishes 11-2 with first finals appearance

K.J. Pilcher

CEDAR FALLS — Colin Gordon was called on to do a lot for top-ranked Grundy Center.

Often than not, he answered and produced on offense, defense and special teams.

Gordon recovered a fumble on the Spartans’ first defensive play that set up the first of two first-half rushing touchdowns, passed for another and added extra points, leading Grundy Center to a 42-0 victory over No. 4 MFL MarMac in the Class 1A state football championship Thursday afternoon at the UNI-Dome.

“It’s incredible,” Gordon said. “This was the goal after we won last year to get back to this game and win it again. To accomplish those goals is really special.”

The Spartans (13-0) won their second straight title and fifth in school history, recording their fourth shutout of the season and second of this postseason.

MFL MarMac was a finals newcomer, finishing at 11-2. The Bulldogs had ended the last four seasons in the quarterfinals, beating Iowa City Regina to get over the hump. They were successful in their semifinal debut, beating No. 2 Underwood, 41-28, here last week.

“This season has meant the world to me,” MFL MarMac’s Tristan Koehn said. “It’s not the ending I hoped for but it is one of the best ways it could possibly go. Only one team ends with a win on the season.

“With this group of guys, this group of brothers, I couldn’t be prouder. I couldn’t be happier.”

MFL MarMac Coach Dan Anderson said he was so occupied with his duties that he didn’t allow himself to soak it in as it happened. He has time to look back and appreciate the special season.

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“Now, I can sit back, reflect and be proud,” Anderson said. “We can go back and watch the game. Maybe not this one but the other ones. Be proud of what we accomplished this year.”

Senior quarterback Carver Blietz-Bentien echoed Koehn’s sentiments. He added that the bar has been raised for the program and the school. This senior class reached the quarterfinals or better every season.

“We set this tone and a tradition for the rest of the school,” Blietz-Bentien said. “That expectation of winning. I’m looking forward to the future and seeing other (MFL MarMac) teams get down here.”

The Bulldogs defense stifled Grundy Center on the game’s opening possession, forcing a three-and-out. On MFL MarMac’s first offensive play, however, running back Bryce Radloff was fighting for extra yards when the ball popped out and bounced on the turf.

Gordon snagged the loose ball and returned it to the Bulldogs’ 18. Three plays later, the 6-foot-1, 195-pounder scored on a 1-yard QB sneak for a 7-0 lead less than three minutes into the game.

MFL MarMac’s backfield was already hindered by injury with Wyatt Powell out due to a hand injury. Bryce Radloff, who still led the Bulldogs with 40 rushing yards, tried to play through an early injury but left the game. He was seen using crutches on the sideline.

Blietz-Bentien had 38 rushing yards and Quinn McGeough added 35, but it was too much to overcome.

“Our game plan really changed, obviously,” Anderson said. “We’re down two of our top running backs, but they battled the whole game.

“They’re warriors. I’m proud of them.”

Read More: Photos: MFL MarMac vs. Grundy Center in Class 1A state football championship

MFL MarMac struggled to rebound from the early setback. The Bulldogs ran just 22 first-half plays to the Spartans’ 34. MFL MarMac managed 127 yards of total offense, including just 18 passing yards.

It was the first time the Bulldogs had been shut out in 57 games, dating back to 2018. Grundy Center allowed just 19 points in four postseason games, outscoring foes, 124-7, in the last three games.

“All through my high school career, we’ve always gotten better at the end of the year,” Grundy Center’s Brody Zinkula said. “I couldn’t imagine it being this good. We came together and our defense shut people out, our offense got rolling and our line moved everybody. For the running backs, it was easy.”

The Spartans turned MFL MarMac away at midfield on the ensuing possession. Grundy Center showed it could grind out a drive, going 67 yards on nine plays and burning 3:11 off the clock.

Gordon completed all three pass attempts for 41 yards, setting up first-and-goal from the 3 with a 15-yard strike to Tiernan Vokes. Gordon followed with a 3-yard keeper for the score and 13-0 lead with 5:04 left in the opening quarter.

Gordon finished with 242 yards and two scores on 11-of-17 passing. He connected with five receivers for 180 yards in in the first half.

Grundy Center added two short, quick scoring drives in the second quarter for a 27-0 halftime lead.

Gordon led the Spartans 59 yards on five plays that ended with a Zinkula 1-yard TD run. Gordon’s 37-yard gain to Judd Jirovsky set up the score.

Gordon added a 26-yard TD pass, delivering under pressure into the arms of Tate Jirovsky with 3:31 before the break.

The teams exchanged possessions in the third. Bryce Christofferson intercepted a Gordon pass on MFL MarMac’s first defensive series of the third.

Grundy Center was able to get the ball back, capitalizing on good field position again. The Spartans went 46 yards on four plays, ending in a Justin Knaack 9-yard TD pass from Gordon, who hit Vokes on the 2-point conversion to make it 35-0 and enact a running clock with 1:59 to play in the third. Knaack added a 6-yard TD run in the fourth.

Grundy Center made its fifth straight finals appearance, capturing the Class A title last season. The Spartans moved to 1A and didn’t skip a beat, extending their win streak to 26 games over the last two seasons.

“We pretty much all came back from last year,” Gordon said. “When we get rolling, we’re pretty hot. We’re almost impossible to beat. I know it’s crazy to say but when we get rolling, we’re on our game and it’s tough to beat us.”

Grundy Center 42, MFL MarMac 0

AT UNI-DOME

MFL GC

First Downs 0 16

Rushes-yards 35-109 27-85

Passing yards 18 242

Att-comp-int 10-2-0 25-17-1

Total yards 127 327

Fumbles-lost 3-1 1-0

Punts-avg. 7-27.0 3-45.7

Penalties-yards 4-17 4-35

MFL MarMac0000 -- 0

Grundy Center131487 -- 42

GC – Colin Gordon 1 run (Gordon kick).

GC – Gordon 3 run (kick failed)

GC – Brody Zinkula 1 run (Gordon kick)

GC – Tate Jirovsky 26 pass from Gordon (Gordon kick)

GC – Justin Knaack 9 pass from Gordon (Tiernan Vokes pass from Gordon)

GC – Knaack 6 run (Gordon kick).

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING – MFL MarMac:Bryce Radloff 5-40, Carver Blietz-Bentien 13-38, Quinn McGeough 14-35, Carter Stoddard 2-3, Elias Hatt 1-(-7). Grundy Center: Knaack 10-64, Zinkula 8-43, Gordon 7-(-8), Team 2-(-14).

PASSING – MFL MarMac: Blietz-Bentien 1-5-0-9, Hatt 1-5-0-9. Grundy Center: Gordon 17-25-1-242.

RECEIVING – MFL MarMac: Brandon Christofferson 1-9, McGeough 1-9. Grundy Center: Dylan Knaak 4-39, J. Knaack 4-39, Jirovsky 3-53, Vokes 3-44, Judd Jirovsky 2-51, Tanner Laube 1-16.

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Hinton reaches 2A championship with sweep of Grundy Center

CORALVILLE — The Hinton volleyball team picked up a 3-0 sweep (25-16, 25-21, 25-18) over Grundy Center in Wednesday’s Class 2A state semifinal round contest at Xtream Arena. The win advances the Blackhawks to their first state championship game appearance in the sport.“It feels amazing. It’s been our goal all season to get to the championship,” senior setter Ashlyn Kovarna said.Sophomore hitter Bailey Boeve echoed that statement.“I’m so proud of our team and all we’ve accom...

CORALVILLE — The Hinton volleyball team picked up a 3-0 sweep (25-16, 25-21, 25-18) over Grundy Center in Wednesday’s Class 2A state semifinal round contest at Xtream Arena. The win advances the Blackhawks to their first state championship game appearance in the sport.

“It feels amazing. It’s been our goal all season to get to the championship,” senior setter Ashlyn Kovarna said.

Sophomore hitter Bailey Boeve echoed that statement.

“I’m so proud of our team and all we’ve accomplished this season,” Boeve said. “It’s so great to see us get to this moment.”

The second-seeded Blackhawks built up an early advantage over their third-seeded foe. The team used a 5-0 run to break a 2-2 tie which led to the Spartans using their first timeout. A kill from Boeve, ace serve from Gabbie Friessen and block from Ashlyn Kovarna provided the first three points of the run. A Grundy Center attacking error followed by a block from Boeve came next and led to the timeout.

The two blocks during that stretch helped set the tone for the defense in the contest as they looked to slow down the state’s kills leader, Carlie Willis, who entered the state tournament with over 600 kills and finished with 28 in Grundy Center’s four-set quarterfinal round win.

“They were a good team. They were strong. No. 9 (Willis), she was a really good hitter, I give her credit. Their offense was good, I just think our strong blocks were getting to them a little bit,” Kovarna said. She had two solo blocks while Boeve led the team with three and Avery Burgad added another.

Hinton co-head coach Kate Ortegren said the team didn’t change their defense much for Willis, a 6-foot outside hitter.

“You might not get a stuff block every time, but as long as you’re getting touches and slowing that ball down a little bit so our defense can pick up the digs, that was kind of the goal and they did their jobs. They got some blocks. They got some touches. She put some good shots down on us too, but we adjusted well,” Ortegren said.

Willis did get 20 kills and hit for a .250 efficiency in the match, but Hinton’s legion of hitters provided a multi-dimensional attack as five Blackhawks had five or more kills.

Kovarna, who had 29 assists, said it’s a split-second decision on where she’s going to set the ball to, but the variety keeps the other team guessing.

“To be honest, I don’t really know who I’m going to go to until right before I set it to them. I just give it to them and hope they get a kill,” Kovarna said as she reached 2,000 career assists during the match. “I also give credit to my back row. If they get it to the net, then I can go anywhere. They have been doing an amazing job all season getting me to the net and in the middle that way I have the option of going to the left, middle or back.”

Two of the players to record at least five kills were Boeve and Burgad, who knocked down consecutive kills to make it 19-12 in the first set which led to the second timeout of the frame from the Spartans.

The Blackhawks capped off the 25-16 win in the opening frame with an ace serve from libero Belle DeRocher followed by one of Friessen’s two kills in the contest. Friessen ended as the team’s leader with 15 digs.

Grundy Center took a 3-0 lead in the second set before the Blackhawks tied the score with an ace from Sayler Jauer. Serving proved to be a strength for the Blackhawks in the win as the team ended with 14 ace serves, matching their season high from a regular season sweep of Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn.

“They really stepped it up in the serve game,” Ortegren said. “It’s amazing how they can just zone in and put that ball where they’re asked to put it.”

Friessen led the team with four aces while Boeve, DeRocher and Ashlyn Kovarna all chipped in three each.

Lucy Lebo had one of Grundy Center’s two ace serves in the match to give the Spartans a 17-16 edge in the second set. An attacking error by Hinton followed which led to the Blackhawks using one of their timeouts, a rare occasion for the team this season.

“In games like this, you can’t let that lead get too far out of control because it was back and forth at that point so one point, two points once you’re getting closer to 25 you have to talk some things over and give them a breather to turn things around,” Ortegren said. “It’s just kind of a good timeout to recheck where we’re at and what we’re doing and slow it down a little bit and then get back out there and take care of business.”

The team did take care of business after that as they outscored Grundy Center 9-3 the rest of the way to take the 25-21 win. Setter Kovarna got the team hyped up as she powered down one of her five kills for the 24th point. Boeve followed with the clincher on the next point.

Hinton trailed 9-8 in the third set before Boeve got a kill followed by an ace to put the team in front. A lift violation against the Spartans followed by a kill for Carly Hicklin at the end of a long rally led to a timeout from Grundy Center. Hicklin’s kill was one of her seven in the contest, matching Karlyn Kovarna for second on the team.

The Blackhawks continued to pull away after that as they went on to clinch the 25-18 win with a kill from Boeve, the last of her team-leading 13 in the match.

Grundy Center finishes the year with a 38-8 record in their first state appearance since 2019. Of their eight losses, seven came against fellow state qualifying teams and five were against teams making it to championship Thursday.

Hinton (32-1) advances to the 2A state championship match against top-seeded and undefeated Dike-New Hartford (49-0). The Wolverines swept the Blackhawks in last year’s state semifinals.

Dike-New Hartford lost a five-set thriller to Western Christian in last year’s championship match to deny them a third straight title. With 15 state championships already in their trophy case, Ortegren knows the Wolverines will be a tough opponent, but she believes her team is up to the challenge.

“They’re definitely a powerhouse and we know that and we’ve seen them, but we’ve got nothing to lose so we need to get out, play our game and accept the fact that like tonight, they’re going to put a few down on us, but we’re going to put a few down on them as well,” Ortegren said. “We’ll look at some of the big games we’ve already played this year. We’ve faced great teams and we’ve played tough competition, so I feel like we’re prepared and we’re ready.”

Some of those prior wins the Blackhawks will look to channel include those over 3A state finalist Western Christian and state semifinalist squads from Lewis Central (4A) and Boyden-Hull (1A).

“Just taking it one step at a time and coming in calm and relaxed tomorrow will really be big for us,” Boeve said.

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