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Home Care In Mt Vernon, IA

Home Care Mt Vernon, 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 Lincoln Highway 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 Mt Vernon, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Mt Vernon, 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 Mt Vernon, 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 Mt Vernon, IA

Types of Elderly Care in Mt Vernon, 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 Mt Vernon, 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 Mt Vernon, 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 Mt. Vernon Dog Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Mt Vernon, 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 Lincoln Wine Bar or visit Villa Louis Historic Site, 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 Mt Vernon, IA

Benefits of Home Care in Mt Vernon, 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 Mt Vernon, 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 Mt Vernon, 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 Mt Vernon, 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 Mt Vernon, 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 Mt Vernon, 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 Mt Vernon, 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:

  • Cherry Ridge Independent and Assisted Living
  • Hallmark Care Center - ABCM Corporation
  • StoneBridge Memory Care - Mt. Vernon
  • Residential Living Center
  • Mt Vernon Living Assisted Center
  • Heritage Woods of Mt. Vernon
Home Care Mt Vernon, 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 Mt Vernon, 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 Mt Vernon, 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 Mt Vernon, IA

Latest News in Mt Vernon, IA

New brewery planned for old Mount Vernon fire station

MOUNT VERNON — A group of local investors are moving to transform a former fire station in downtown Mount Vernon into a fully fledged brewery.They hope to renovate and reopen the 1969 building as The Old Fire Station, a six-tank brewery with roughly 4,500 square feet, by June 2025.Mount Vernon is “a destination place people love to come to. There’s just a need for a large space to hold more people and to enhance existing businesses that are here,” said Meridith Hoffman, an Iowa Realty Realtor and partner...

MOUNT VERNON — A group of local investors are moving to transform a former fire station in downtown Mount Vernon into a fully fledged brewery.

They hope to renovate and reopen the 1969 building as The Old Fire Station, a six-tank brewery with roughly 4,500 square feet, by June 2025.

Mount Vernon is “a destination place people love to come to. There’s just a need for a large space to hold more people and to enhance existing businesses that are here,” said Meridith Hoffman, an Iowa Realty Realtor and partner in the new business that originated with her idea. “There isn’t anything like it around town. It’s something that people enjoy … having in their community.”

Hoffman, who acquired the building from the City of Mount Vernon in 2018 as the city contemplated tearing it down, said the new brewery will help embrace and revitalize the building’s character, history and charm at 217 First St. W. The building has been vacant since the Mount Vernon Fire Department relocated to Second Avenue SW.

“It’s just a neat old building, and it’s loved within the city,” Hoffman said. “I think people just wanted to see something done with it.”

It’s the first brewery in which partners Hoffman, Darin Luneckas and his wife, Jamie Luneckas, have been involved.

“For Mount Vernon, this will be great — it’ll enhance businesses in town,” said Darin Luneckas, a personal injury lawyer with Luneckas Law, in Cedar Rapids. “(Mount Vernon has) 14 events a year — it will be a good draw to have that.”

The project, in the works for five years, was awarded a $100,000 Main Street Challenge Iowa grant on Nov. 9 by the Iowa Economic Development Authority — one of just 10 communities receiving a collective $925,000 to revitalize downtowns across the state. Estimated total cost of the 10 projects awarded the competitive matching grants tallies more than $3.5 million.

“Each of these projects represents growing momentum for downtown and community revitalization,” said Michael Wagler, state coordinator for the Main Street Iowa program. “This investment in catalytic projects across Iowa will have significant economic impact and help strengthen local creative place-making efforts.”

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Edit: A previous version of this story reported the name of the new brewery as MV Brews. The new brewery will be called The Old Fire Station; MV Brews is the name of the group that owns it.

Comments: Features reporter Elijah Decious can be reached at (319) 398-8340 or [email protected].

Resident submits confederate awareness month as part of Mount Vernon ‘Flag Policy’

MOUNT VERNON, Iowa (KCRG) - The city of Mount Vernon recently approved a “Flag Policy” where 11 flags would fly throughout the year.Some of those flags include Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and Pride Month, but not everyone supported the council’s decision.The issue started earlier this summer with residents asking the city to display the pride flag in June- pride month. The city council then took on a policy modeled after the one in Cedar Rapids, where it would fly 11 different flags durin...

MOUNT VERNON, Iowa (KCRG) - The city of Mount Vernon recently approved a “Flag Policy” where 11 flags would fly throughout the year.

Some of those flags include Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and Pride Month, but not everyone supported the council’s decision.

The issue started earlier this summer with residents asking the city to display the pride flag in June- pride month. The city council then took on a policy modeled after the one in Cedar Rapids, where it would fly 11 different flags during different times of the year.

However, one man is on a crusade to get the city to change its policy.

“Those flags represent .3% of the population. I do not believe the Government has the right to fly those flags,” said Keith Huebner, a Mount Vernon resident.

Huebner said the city’s policy is flawed. So, to make a point, he asked the city council to include “Confederate Flag Awareness” as well.

“I didn’t fight in the confederacy, I don’t believe in the confederate flag, obviously, as a separating component, we could have picked a thin blue line flag,” he said. “The point was to get their attention.”

City Administrator Chris Nosbisch said Huebner took the proper steps to get a flag in front of the city council. He made a public and written request, but the council didn’t back the idea.

“No Council member has indicated that they would like to consider that so that request just won’t be considered,” said Nosisch.

Nosbisch said the reason was because that flag doesn’t represent the city’s values.

“We’re a fairly diverse group of individuals,” he said. “We have 1,200 students that are on campus in a given year on top of the individuals that live here.”

Huebner, however, said no flags other than the US and Iowa flags should be flown on the city’s flag poles.

“The council represents all of us as taxpayers, so my complaint is if we are going to treat one side one way, then the rest of us should be able to request it,” he said.

Nosbisch does say the ordinance allows for him as the city administrator to also take up which flags can be flown; however, he says he’s taken the position that it is a policy issue. He plans to leave those decisions to the city council to decide.

Copyright 2023 KCRG. All rights reserved.

Photos: Williamsburg vs. Mount Vernon in 2023 Class 3A Iowa high school football state quarterfinals

No. 3 Williamsburg beat No. 4 Mount Vernon 38-35 in a Class 3A Iowa high school state football quarterfinal game Friday night.Williamsburg High School, ...

No. 3 Williamsburg beat No. 4 Mount Vernon 38-35 in a Class 3A Iowa high school state football quarterfinal game Friday night.

Williamsburg High School, Mount Vernon High School

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10 Spots Along The Lincoln Highway In Iowa That Everyone Should Stop And Visit

The Lincoln Highway is one of the most storied drives anywhere in the United States, but traveling it is a massive undertaking – it crosses the entire United States! As the first transcontinental highway in the country, dedicated in 1913, every inch of it is packed with history – and that includes the area crossing the Hawkeye State. Iowa’s Lincoln Highway goes across the center of the state, hitting most major cities. Even exploring this length is a major time commitment, so here at Only In Your State we’ve come up w...

The Lincoln Highway is one of the most storied drives anywhere in the United States, but traveling it is a massive undertaking – it crosses the entire United States! As the first transcontinental highway in the country, dedicated in 1913, every inch of it is packed with history – and that includes the area crossing the Hawkeye State. Iowa’s Lincoln Highway goes across the center of the state, hitting most major cities. Even exploring this length is a major time commitment, so here at Only In Your State we’ve come up with a road trip itinerary that’s more manageable for those who want to see some of the Lincoln Highway’s most historic spots. Spanning from the route’s beginning at the Iowa/Illinois border to a notable spot in Ames midway through the state, it contains about 200 miles of driving and is ideal for those who want to explore Iowa’s roots.

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Have you taken this famous road through Iowa before? Tell us your favorite spots along Iowa’s Lincoln Highway in the comments section! You can learn more about this historic route on the Lincoln Highway Association website – it might just lead you to your next destination! Make sure to check out our past coverage of Reiman Gardens to learn about all this unique Ames institution offers.

Williamsburg tops Mount Vernon in a 3A state football quarterfinal classic, 38-35

In a game dominated by the offenses, interceptions by Rayce Heitman and Simeon Armbrecht loom largeJeff Linder WILLIAMSBURG — This is a team chock-full of playmakers.Simeon Armbrecht might be down a ways on that depth chart. But the defensive lineman’s deflection and interception was as big a play as any.“I jumped, got a hand on it and came down with it,” he said.In a game with few defensive stops, ...

In a game dominated by the offenses, interceptions by Rayce Heitman and Simeon Armbrecht loom large

Jeff Linder

WILLIAMSBURG — This is a team chock-full of playmakers.

Simeon Armbrecht might be down a ways on that depth chart. But the defensive lineman’s deflection and interception was as big a play as any.

“I jumped, got a hand on it and came down with it,” he said.

In a game with few defensive stops, Armbrecht’s third-quarter play helped No. 3 Williamsburg edge No. 4 Mount Vernon, 38-35, in a Class 3A quarterfinal dandy Friday at Bob Murphy Stadium.

“I’m blessed that I got to make it through the season fully healthy,” said Ambrecht, who suffered a torn ACL in the Raiders’ first playoff game last year.

Williamsburg (10-1) will get another crack at No. 2 Solon (10-1) in a semifinal at 7 p.m. next Saturday at the UNI-Dome, Cedar Falls.

Read More: Photos: Mount Vernon vs. Williamsburg in Class 3A state quarterfinals

Solon outlasted West Delaware, 36-35, Friday. The Spartans defeated Williamsburg, 21-14, in Week 7.

“You always like to get another chance at a team that beats you,” Raiders Coach Curt Ritchie said. “Hopefully, we play better this time.”

Rayce Heitman scored three touchdowns for the Raiders, including the go-ahead score — a 55-yard pass from Derek Weisskopf, which put the Raiders in front, 31-28, with 4:16 left in the third quarter.

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Mount Vernon (9-2) began its next drive at its own 29. On the first play, Armbrecht got his mitts on Joey Rhomberg’s pass, which sailed straight up, then straight down into Armbrecht’s hands.

Six plays later, Heitman scored on a 1-yard run to make it 38-28, and the Raiders held on.

“That kid can play football,” Weisskopf said of Heitman.

A future Iowa Hawkeye, Weisskopf completed 9 of 14 passes for 144 yards, and rushed 12 times for 110.

“I’m liking (quarterback),” he said. “I trust that the coaches will put me in the right positions and right places to execute.”

Weisskopf understood that he had been part of a memorable game.

“One of the best I’ve ever been in,” he said. “It’s definitely one game that will jump into my brain and stay there.”

The Raiders prevailed despite surrendering 457 yards, including 315 in the air by Rhomberg.

“I didn’t think anybody could score that many on our defense,” said Ritchie, who will take his third straight team to the UNI-Dome. “They made plays.”

But the Raiders had two key takeaways.

The second was Armbrecht’s. The first — and it was a biggie — came from Heitman.

Mount Vernon led 21-17 late in the first half and had the ball, first and goal at the 5.

Rhomberg fired to the right flat, but Heitman picked it off and returned it to the 14.

“He made a great play on a play that had been good to us all year,” Mount Vernon Coach Lance Pedersen said. “They they were able to drive the field, so it became a 14-point swing.”

Williamsburg marched 90 yards in nine plays, with Weisskopf connecting with John Eichhorn on a 16-yard scoring strike with 0:20 left in the half.

Instead of potentially trailing 28-17 at halftime, Williamsburg led 24-21.

Mount Vernon scored on its first drive of the second half (Jackson Hird did the honors on a 5-yard run) for a 28-24 advantage, but the Raiders answered with their back-to-back TDs, and ultimately advanced.

“It’s tough that this game was in the quarterfinals,” Pedersen said. “Give Williamsburg a lot of credit. They did what they did to win.”

Williamsburg 38, Mount Vernon 35

Class 3A Quarterfinal, at Williamsburg

TEAM STATISTICS

First downs: MV 22, WILL 18

Rushes-yards: MV 27-142, WILL 37-231

Passing yards: MV 315, WILL 144

Passing: MV 19-36-2, WILL 9-14-0

Total yards: MV 457, WILL 375

Fumbles-lost: MV 0-0, WILL 1-1

Punts-average: MV 1-25.0, WILL 2-39.0

Penalties-yards: MV 4-47, WILL 3-17

SCORING SUMMARY

Mount Vernon 7 14 7 7 — 35

Williamsburg 10 14 14 0 — 38

MV — Evan Brase 10 pass from Joey Rhomberg (Bennett Harp kick)

WILL — FG Logan Rethwisch 25

WILL — Rayce Heitman 19 pass from Derek Weisskopf (Rethwisch kick)

MV — Watson Krob 59 pass from Rhomberg (Harp kick)

WILL — Clayten Steckly 29 pass from Weisskopf (Rethwisch kick)

MV — Rhomberg 1 run (Harp kick)

WILL — John Eichhorn 16 pass from Weisskopf (Rethwisch kick)

MV — Jackson Hird 6 run (Harp kick)

WILL — Heitman 55 pass from Weisskopf (Rethwisch kick)

WILL — Heitman 1 run (Rethwisch kick)

MV — Brase 8 pass from Rhomberg (Harp kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing

Mount Vernon — Jackson Hird 16-96, Joey Rhomberg 9-41, Jase Jaspers 1-4, Evan Brase 1-1. Williamsburg — Derek Weisskopf 12-110, Nile Sinn 15-94, Rayce Heitman 8-37, Team 2-(minus 10).

Passing

Mount Vernon — Rhomberg 19-36-2-315, Williamsburg — Weisskopf 9-14-0-144.

Receiving

Mount Vernon — Brase 9-117, Jaspers 5-79, Watson Krob 2-96, Hird 2-23, Ethan Wood 1-0. Williamsburg — Heitman 4-90, Clayten Steckly 3-35, John Eichhorn 1-16, Braylon Wetjen 1-3.

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