It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Wisconsin State Historical Marker 20: First State Fair 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 Janesville, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“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!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Rockport Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Lark or visit Veteran's Memorial, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Janesville, 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.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Janesville, 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.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Janesville, 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.
Nowadays, everyone has their cell phones attached to them at the hip.We use them to stay connected, and informed, and as something to scroll on when we're using the bathroom.According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 53% of children have a smartphone by eleven years old. Also, 95% of teens between the ages of 13 and 17 years h...
Nowadays, everyone has their cell phones attached to them at the hip.
We use them to stay connected, and informed, and as something to scroll on when we're using the bathroom.
According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 53% of children have a smartphone by eleven years old. Also, 95% of teens between the ages of 13 and 17 years have access to a cell phone.
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Due to these high numbers of adolescents with mobile phones, one school district in Eastern Iowa is making a move to put a stop to cell phones in the classroom.
Officials from Janesville Consolidated School District announced last month that they are becoming a cell-phone-free school.
A statement was released on the district's website regarding the change.
"The decision to implement this policy is rooted in growing concerns about the impact of constant smartphone use on adolescents, supported by research and expert opinions," the statement read.
In addition, officials claimed that the new initiative would improved focus & academic performance, reduce anxiety & stress, lead to better social interactions, will promote a healthy "digital balance" for their students.
Janesville CSD Superintendent BJ Meaney stated, "“The goal is not to take students’ cell phones, but rather eliminate unnecessary distractions and problems cell phones can cause.”
During the second quarter of the school year, each student will be assigned a YONDR bag.
At the beginning of the school day, the students will be asked to seal the devices in the bag. These pouches will be locked and the students will be able to keep their phones physically on them but will be unable to use them.
When the student wraps up their school day, then the teacher will unlock the pouch.
In case of an emergency, families/guardians will be able to email their specific students via their Janesville issued email address or just call the main office.
"We encourage parents, students, and staff to embrace this new policy as a step toward a brighter, less anxious future for our entire school community."
You can read the whole statement from Janesville Community School District officials here.
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Comets made their state debut last year, now take on No. 1 Ankeny Christian for the titleMike Condon The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.CORALVILLE — Being an underdog is nothing new this week for BCLUW.On Thursday, the Comets will be in the role again.Coach Megan Yantis’ team came into the Class 1A state volleyball tournament as the No. 6 seed. It took...
Comets made their state debut last year, now take on No. 1 Ankeny Christian for the title
The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
CORALVILLE — Being an underdog is nothing new this week for BCLUW.
On Thursday, the Comets will be in the role again.
Coach Megan Yantis’ team came into the Class 1A state volleyball tournament as the No. 6 seed. It took out No. 3 Fort Madison Holy Trinity in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.
Wednesday night, it was actually the higher seed in the semifinals and took care of business, downing No. 7 Janesville 25-17, 25-23, 25-19 at Xtream Arena.
“It's just incredible,” Yantis said of her team’s play against Janesville. “My girls just went out and played so amazing. We've had an amazing couple of days down here.”
BCLUW will take a 33-10 mark into the final where top-ranked Ankeny Christian awaits. The Eagles advanced with a straight-set win over Oakland Riverside.
“It was really making sure that we just stayed together as a team no matter what happened,” Yantis said.
The Comets made their state tournament debut last year, losing in the semifinals. Now they are taking it one step further in 2024.
After nine years as an assistant, Yantis is in her first year as the head coach.
“I feel like we have really built up the program,” she said. “These past couple of years, we have found a groove and it is just awesome for the current and future players.”
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In Wednesday’s match, Janesville closed the gap in all three sets but BCLUW had the answer when it was needed.
“I felt like we kept our composure when things got tight,” Yantis said. “That has been a quality of this team all season.”
Grace Farnsworth led the Comets with 15 kills. Hayden Anderson led Janesville (25-17) with nine.
BCLUW has one small edge entering the final. The Comets were the only 1A school to take a set from Ankeny Christian this season.
“We got one from them at the Dunkerton tournament,” Yantis said. “We played a good set and we were confident when we played them. I feel like (the title match) can be anybody’s ballgame.”
Alert Top Story TopicalCORALVILLE— Upset Alert.When you reach the state tournament, many times seeds or rankings can be thrown out the window because all who qualify, qualified for a reason ... they are good.But Tuesday Janesville pulled off what could be described as an upset with a three-game sweep of second-seeded Saint Ansgar, 25-23, 27-25, 25-22, in Class 1A state quarterfinal at Xtream Arena.The victory avenged a regular-season loss to the Saints.“We just had a plan, and we executed it nic...
Alert Top Story Topical
CORALVILLE— Upset Alert.
When you reach the state tournament, many times seeds or rankings can be thrown out the window because all who qualify, qualified for a reason ... they are good.
But Tuesday Janesville pulled off what could be described as an upset with a three-game sweep of second-seeded Saint Ansgar, 25-23, 27-25, 25-22, in Class 1A state quarterfinal at Xtream Arena.
The victory avenged a regular-season loss to the Saints.
“We just had a plan, and we executed it nicely,” Liz Hovenga said. “It was a team effort even though the other team put up a really good fight.”
The Wildcats were led by senior Zoey Barnes who had 17 kills and a block. Hovenga had 20 digs and a service ace. Dani Hughes had 10 kills, two blocks and three digs for Janesville while sophomore Hayden Anderson had nine kills.
Juniors Jacey Johnston and Ava Falk each had 10 kills for Saint Ansgar while Lindsay Kruse had nine and Amelia Porisch had seven. Sophia Urbatsch led the team in assists with 32 while libero Makenna Norby had 14 digs. Johnston led the Saints with two solo blocks.
“I think that we did well, but the other team just did a little better,” Falk said. “They communicated a little more so that just helped them win. I think overall we still did good as a team.”
The game was a tense back-and-forth affair that seemed like it could go either way at any given moment.
The Wildcats just seemed to be on top of it the entire game. Neither team could get any momentum at the beginning of the first set. It took a 4-0 run by Janesville to go up 11-6 to finally get a solid lead. Myah Zwanziger and Anderson had kills, Tayah Pollock had a service ace, and Dani Hughes had a block in the run.
“We just try to play our game,” Janesville head coach Shelly Sorensen said. “Sometimes we’re really on, and other times it’s volleyball where momentum goes back and forth. Saint Ansgar has some great hitters so they’re tough to stop… You only got to win by two. We say, ‘you have to fight for every point.’ You don’t know which one is going to be the difference.”
The Saints were quick to answer with two straight kills by Falk. The two teams continued to battle back-and-forth until the Saints broke free for a 5-0 run to finally take control of the lead. Porisch had two kills, Johnston had a kill, and Kruse had a kill and an ace to take the 17-16 lead.
“We had a lot of big comebacks from three to six-point deficits,” Saint Ansgar head coach Stephanie Beaver said. “Those were without me having to call a timeout. They pushed right back. We just weren’t quite able to finish it.”
Suddenly, Janesville’s Barnes began to break free for a standout performance of her own. She had three kills over the course of four possessions and brought the thunder to Saint Ansgar. The teams continued to battle until the Wildcats scored four straight points after being down 23-21 to win with kills from Anderson in Hughes to take the first set.
“We had to have confidence,” Barnes said. “We had to pick each other up after a mistake. We had to say ‘Hey, it’s going to be okay, let’s get the next one. That’s how we did it.”
Janesville started game two off hot with four straight points and two kills from Barnes. It took a while for the Saints to get going but Johnston played disruptor against Barnes and scored two kills. Consecutive kills from Porisch helped the Saints tie it up at 16.
After a heavily contested game, Jacey Johnston had a kill and a block down the stretch to give the Saints the 24-23 lead, but Janesville fired right back with kills from Barnes and Anderson to sweep the game from under the feet of the Saints.
“Our ball control kind of lost it in that match,” Beaver said. “The passing game is a big part of volleyball. It wasn’t just the passing. We struggled with various things at various times. We just didn’t flow as well as we normally do.”
It all came down to set three, and the Saints knew their backs were against the wall, and the set was the definition of an evenly contested matchup.
There were seven lead changes and 12 ties in the entire third set, but Janesville always seemed to be one step ahead.
“I think if our passes were good, our hitters weren’t connecting,” Johnston said. “If our hitters were connecting, our passes weren’t there. We just weren’t in unison. I wish we could go back and do that now, but now we’ll use that as motivation for next year.”
The Saints will graduate seven seniors: Kenzie Peterson, Sophia Urbatsch, Lyla Knowlton, Amelia Porisch, Bree Tabbert, Mariah Michels and Josie Juhl. All the seniors gave everything they had to ensure that they had a successful final season.
“They’ve put the time in, and they played the best they could tonight,” Beaver said.
Janesville will take on the BCLUW Comets on Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 4:25 on court two of the Xtream Arena with a chance to get to the finals.
“We’ve been working really hard towards this,” Barnes said. “We put in a lot of work in the preseason and played tough teams at tournaments. This just felt like something that we needed.”
“We’ve got great community and support,” Sorenson said. “We love to have that behind us in the crowd. We’re ready for this opportunity.”
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Two-time defending champion Ankeny Christian moves one step closer to a three-peat as Riverside, Janesville, BCLUW join them in 1A semisThe final quarterfinal round action of the Iowa state volleyball championships brought with it three sweeps and a five-setter, but the final results were definitely interesting.Comprising the final four in Class 1A will be Ankeny Christian, Riverside, Janesville and BCLUW. Both Janesville and BCLUW were the lower-seeded team, pulling upsets on No. 2 Saint Ansgar and No. 3 Holy Trinity....
Two-time defending champion Ankeny Christian moves one step closer to a three-peat as Riverside, Janesville, BCLUW join them in 1A semis
The final quarterfinal round action of the Iowa state volleyball championships brought with it three sweeps and a five-setter, but the final results were definitely interesting.
Comprising the final four in Class 1A will be Ankeny Christian, Riverside, Janesville and BCLUW. Both Janesville and BCLUW were the lower-seeded team, pulling upsets on No. 2 Saint Ansgar and No. 3 Holy Trinity.
Ankeny Christian, the two-time defending champs, had no trouble with Don Bosco, winning 25-18, 25-18 and 25-22. Carley Craighead had a match-high 14 kills with five digs, a serving ace and a solo block, as Anna Weathers added 11 kills and both Katie Quick and Macey Nehring had seven.
Quick also delivered 34 assists and Nehring had 11 digs. For Don Bosco, Kennedi McGarvey had nine kills.
Riverside and North Tama battled point-for-point and set-for-set in the final match of the day, with Riverside pulling out the five-setter by scores of 18-25, 25-21, 23-25, 25-16 and 15-11.
Sophia Taylor had 17 kills, Bentley Rone added 13 and Elly Henderson 12 for Riverside, who recorded seven serving aces. For North Tama, Kruiz Ewoldt had a match-high 26 kills with 21 digs.
Janesville, the No. 7 seed, knocked off second-seeded Saint Ansgar in three close sets, 25-23, 27-25 and 25-22. Zoey Barnes had 17 kills, Dani Hughes added 10 and Hayden Anderson nine for the Wildcats.
Tayah Pollock had 40 assists and 11 digs, Liz Hovenga added 20 digs with an ace and Addy Oldenburger chipped in eight kills. For Saint Ansgar, both Jacey Johnston and Ava Falk had 10 kills.
Awaiting Janesville will be BCLUW, who also scored an upset by toppling No. 3 Holy Trinity, 25-22, 25-16 and 25-19. Grace Farnsworth had 15 kills and 17 digs, Olivia Peters added 13 kills and nine digs, and Virigian Kaisand added seven kills.
Holy Trinity was paced by Adalyn Kruse and Presley Myers, who both had 10 kills.
Ankeny Christian (38-5) and Riverside (39-3) will square off at 6 p.m. on Wednesday while Janesville (25-17) and BCLUW (32-10) begin at 6:25 p.m. The winners meet in the final game of the tournament for the 1A title on Thursday at 7 p.m.
Published Nov 5, 2024
Dana Becker has been a sports writer in Iowa since 2000, writing for The Fort Dodge Messenger, Mason City Globe-Gazette, Cedar Rapids Gazette and others. Dana resides in northcentral Iowa and started as a writer with SB Live Sports in 2022 focused on the state of Iowa. Along with providing coverage of football and wrestling, Dana also spotlights cross country, swimming, basketball, track and field, soccer, tennis, golf, baseball and softball. He began writing for High School on SI in 2023.
Photo by Jim Nelson/Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier: St. Edmond’s Aaron Hindt runs the ball against Janesville on Friday night in the first round of the eight-man playoffs.JANESVILLE – It was a tale of two halves here Friday night for the St. Edmond football team.Leading Janesville 14-13 at the break, the Gaels saw that advantage quickly go away, as the Wildcats scored seven straight touchdowns to secure a 56-14 victory and advance in the eight-player playoffs.Janesville (8-1 overall) will find out its next oppo...
Photo by Jim Nelson/Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier: St. Edmond’s Aaron Hindt runs the ball against Janesville on Friday night in the first round of the eight-man playoffs.
JANESVILLE – It was a tale of two halves here Friday night for the St. Edmond football team.
Leading Janesville 14-13 at the break, the Gaels saw that advantage quickly go away, as the Wildcats scored seven straight touchdowns to secure a 56-14 victory and advance in the eight-player playoffs.
Janesville (8-1 overall) will find out its next opponent on Saturday when the pairings are announced. For the Gaels (5-4), their season ends following the first playoff appearance since 2020.
“Listen, they have some phenomenal players who really were physical,” SEHS head coach Matt Dillon said. “We just couldn’t match that – especially after Adam (Walker) went down.”
Walker, St. Edmond’s senior all-stater, left the game in the second quarter and would not return. This was his final time in a Gael uniform along with classmates Klay Baker, Sam Myer, Dominic McClain and Quintin Jaeschke.
“Great kids who gave us everything they had,” Dillon said of the seniors. “I wish we could have sent them out with a much better half of football but that is the way it goes. We just couldn’t get anything going there after the break.”
The Gaels took an early lead when Ethan Swisher found Baker all alone following a turnover by the Wildcats. Swisher, who was forced out of action following a heavy hit in the second half, threw for 87 yards while under heavy pressure all night.
“Between losing Adam and Ethan, it just wasn’t our night,” Dillon said. “You take out your best interior player and force your quarterback to try and play with a broken finger. It just limited what we could do and what we could stop.”
Janesville answered back following a St. Edmond miscue on special teams as Dane Appleby found the end zone for the first of his five touchdowns. Appleby ran 28 times for 164 yards to lead the way.
The Gaels, though, put the pressure right back on when Swisher found Dominic McClain for a touchdown. Swisher, a junior, hit Jakob Koopman on the conversion to put St. Edmond back up, 14-13.
From there, it was all Wildcats, as Appleby scored for the second time before the half and had his third touchdown minutes into the third quarter. Janesville had a defensive touchdown on the next play before two more Appleby TDs prior to the end of the quarter.
Baker and McClain both finished with three receptions, McClain had an interception and Jaeschke a fumble recovery.
This was the first winning season since 2020 and the first time qualifying for the playoffs since reaching the semifinals in 2014.
“It was a tremendous season,” Dillon said. “It’s hard to think about it right now but these kids have a lot to be proud of.”
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing-St. Edmond: Aaron Hindt 11-20, Sam Myer 3-19, Klay Baker 3-3, Ethan Swisher 3-0, Ty Mericle 2-(minus-10), Team 3-(minus-22). Janesville: Dane Appleby 28-164, Talan Pletz 9-96, Daniel Britt 2-15, Blayne Porter 1-5, Tayler Kibbee 1-2, Gabe Reeves 1-(minus-2), Jayden Butler 2-(minus-3).
Passing-St. Edmond: Ethan Swisher 6-14-1-87, Ty Mericle 2-6-1-9. Janesville: Dane Appleby 3-9-1-2.
Receiving-St. Edmond: Klay Baker 3-34, Dominic McClain 3-32, Aaron Hindt 1-26, Grant Galles 1-4. Janesville: Jayden Butler 1-4, Talan Pletz 2-(minus-2).
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