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

It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.

phone-number877-292-2126 lm-right-arrow

Please submit form to schedule a

Personal Care Consultation

Local Magic Personal Care Consultation

Please submit this form below and we will chat shortly!

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

Home Care In Saint Ansgar, IA

Home Care Saint Ansgar, 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.

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 Saint Ansgar, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

In-Home Care Saint Ansgar, IA

care-serviceHome Care Services

location Service Areas

Read More
Elderly Care Saint Ansgar, IA Request More Information vector

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.

Hear from Our Clients
Elderly Care for Tracy G.
551
Google

“Always Best Care of the Cedar Valley has compassionate staff and flexible scheduling. The office”

Always Best Care of the Cedar Valley has compassionate staff and flexible scheduling. The office staff answers my questions patiently.
Read full testimonial
Hear from Our Clients
Elderly Care for DouglasJJIWF
451
Caring

“Always Best is OK but doesn’t seem to make up hours very well. When the”

Always Best is OK but doesn’t seem to make up hours very well. When the caregiver is sick, nobody comes. I would think that they need a little more back up than they have right now. They give me a schedule, and billing is paid by Medicaid.
Read full testimonial
Hear from Our Clients
In-home Care for Carol64210350
551
Caring

“I knew a lady who works for Always Best Health Care that's why I chose”

I knew a lady who works for Always Best Health Care that's why I chose it. The caregiver is very good with a very good attitude. They were able to provide the caregiver for myself immediately. She accompanies me to shopping.
Read full testimonial
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best Care of the Cedar Valley has compassionate staff and flexible scheduling. The office staff answers my questions patiently.”

Tracy G.
×
TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best is OK but doesn’t seem to make up hours very well. When the caregiver is sick, nobody comes. I would think that they need a little more back up than they have right now. They give me a schedule, and billing is paid by Medicaid.”

DouglasJJIWF
×
TESTIMONIALS

“I knew a lady who works for Always Best Health Care that's why I chose it. The caregiver is very good with a very good attitude. They were able to provide the caregiver for myself immediately. She accompanies me to shopping.”

Carol64210350

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Saint Ansgar, IA?

lm-check

Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

lm-check

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

lm-check

The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

lm-check

At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

Request More Information
Senior Care Saint Ansgar, IA

Types of Elderly Care in Saint Ansgar, 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
Request More Information
Respite Care Saint Ansgar, 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
Request More Information
Caregivers Saint Ansgar, 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.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Request More Information
Home Care Saint Ansgar, 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. 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.

Request More Information
In-Home Care Saint Ansgar, IA

Benefits of Home Care in Saint Ansgar, 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.

Request More Information vector

Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

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

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Saint Ansgar, 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 Saint Ansgar, 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 Saint Ansgar, 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 Saint Ansgar, 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 Saint Ansgar, 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 Saint Ansgar, 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.

Home Care Saint Ansgar, 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 Saint Ansgar, 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

lm-right-arrow
01

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

lm-right-arrow
02

Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

lm-right-arrow
03

Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Saint Ansgar, 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.

Request More Information vector
Elderly Care Saint Ansgar, IA

Latest News in Saint Ansgar, IA

Royals look to rein in rushing attack of Saint Ansgar in title game

No. 1 MMCRU (12-0) vs. No. 2 Saint Ansgar (12-0) at 1 p.m., Thursday at the UNI-DomeCEDAR FALLS — MMCRU will look for a state title against Saint Ansgar, but it will require the defense buckling down to stop the run. The Saints have 62 rushing touchdowns this season, 11 more than anyone else in Class A this season. The team also leads Class A with more than 3,700 rushing yards on the year.“We were there watching them. They’re a pretty run-heavy team. Their running back is pretty good. The line...

No. 1 MMCRU (12-0) vs. No. 2 Saint Ansgar (12-0) at 1 p.m., Thursday at the UNI-Dome

CEDAR FALLS — MMCRU will look for a state title against Saint Ansgar, but it will require the defense buckling down to stop the run. The Saints have 62 rushing touchdowns this season, 11 more than anyone else in Class A this season. The team also leads Class A with more than 3,700 rushing yards on the year.

“We were there watching them. They’re a pretty run-heavy team. Their running back is pretty good. The line, they’re a run-heavy team, so we’ve got to work on tackling this week and working on fitting the gaps and doing your jobs,” MMCRU senior Michael Schmillen said.

The Saints ran the ball on 40 of their 48 plays in a semifinal win over Wapsie Valley, scoring 31 unanswered points after the Warriors scored the opening touchdown.

Korben Michels leads the Saints in rushing and is in the top five in Class A in both rushing touchdowns (31) and rushing yards (1,628).

“From what we could tell, No. 2 (Michels) is a good little running back,” MMCRU head coach Kyle Oswald said.

Michels didn’t have a rushing touchdown in the semifinal win, but did score on a pair of passes, adding another dimension to his game that the Royals will have to watch out for. One of the plays went for 90 yards as he finished with two catches for 95 yards. He also led the way with 74 rushing yards on 14 carries.

For the season, Michels is averaging 14.3 yards per carry and 18.9 yards per catch as he is the team’s second-leading receiver.

Porter Schwiesow is quarterback for the Saints and has thrown for just under 1,000 yards this season while completing 71 percent of his passes. He has 15 touchdown passes compared to just two interceptions, something the state’s leader in intercepted passes would like to change.

Along with Michels, Connor Mullenbach is the main receiver to watch out for with 27 catches for 388 yards and four touchdowns. No one else on the team has more than four receptions this season.

Michels isn’t the only running threat as Joe Clevenger has 11 rushing scores and around 850 rushing yards this season. Mullenbach mixes in with seven rushing scores and over 500 rushing yards this season.

Schwiesow has not been much of a runner throughout the season, but did run for a pair of touchdowns, his first rushing scores of the year, in the win over Wapsie Valley. Scoring rushes of 30 and nine yards made up most of his 41-yard performance on three carries in the semifinals.

Oswald said the Saints are similar to another team which has had recent success at the UNI-Dome.

“They’ve got a big line, very similar to our Britt, West Hancock game from last year,” Oswald said.

Saint Ansgar is in the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season and 25th time overall. They will be looking for a second state championship after winning the 2011 Class 1A championship by a 25-15 score over Council Bluffs St. Albert.

The Saints are returning to the title game after losing in the semifinals in 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2024.

MMCRU is making its first championship game appearance, although Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn did win 8-player state titles in 2012 and 2015.

The Royals bring an offense which will contrast styles with the Saints. Eli Harpenau leads Class A with 28 passing touchdowns while Michael Schmillen has 14 touchdown receptions. The duo connected for three of the team’s four scores in the semifinals.

Gage Johnson and Kamden Bork had quiet days catching the ball in the semifinals, but are other targets for Harpenau to throw to. Brayson Mulder also got more looks out of the backfield in the semifinals, catching three passes, including one touchdown. He entered the game with just four catches on the season.

Leading the defense looking to slow down the Royals is Clevenger, who has 90 tackles, including 7.5 for loss. Michels is also a key piece of the defense, second on the team with over 60 tackles and one of three players with at least 12 tackles for loss. Clevenger and Michels will work from the linebacker positions. Sophomore safety Trey Johanns leads the Saints with five interceptions and three fumble recoveries.

On special teams, Mullenbach is the top return man and he has two punt returns for touchdowns this season. The team has not attempted a field goal this season and the team’s PAT success rate for the year is under 60 percent. In the semifinals, the team went 1-of-2 on PAT kicks while attempting to go for the two-point conversion the other three times, failing on all three.

Oswald said the Royals will have to play well on both sides of the ball in order to bring home a state championship.

“We’ve got to be able to set up and stop their run game and then we’ve got to be able to execute on offense,” Oswald said.

Down a set, Saint Ansgar storms back to claim the 1A volleyball title

Saints get ‘more hype,’ turn it around and top JanesvilleCORALVILLE — They didn’t merely drop the first set.They got rolled.“We were all nervous,” Jacey Johnston said. “We didn’t want to make mistakes. But volleyball is a game of mistakes.”Lindsay Kruse added, “We had to be more hype and hope we turned it around.”They sure did.Top-ranked Saint Ansgar turned on a dime and defeated No. 2 Saint Ansgar in four sets (14-25, 25-22, 25-19, 25...

Saints get ‘more hype,’ turn it around and top Janesville

CORALVILLE — They didn’t merely drop the first set.

They got rolled.

“We were all nervous,” Jacey Johnston said. “We didn’t want to make mistakes. But volleyball is a game of mistakes.”

Lindsay Kruse added, “We had to be more hype and hope we turned it around.”

They sure did.

Top-ranked Saint Ansgar turned on a dime and defeated No. 2 Saint Ansgar in four sets (14-25, 25-22, 25-19, 25-20) for the Class 1A state championship Thursday night at Xtream Arena.

It was the first title for the Saints, who finished 31-4.

“It’s a dream come true,” said senior setter Sofia Parrott, who moved to Saint Ansgar from Charles City, and was named captain of the all-tournament team. “I had one job, and that was to lead these girls to a state title.”

Parrott piloted a share-the-wealth attack. Ava Falk collected 13 kills, Kruse 12, Quinn Osgood 11, Johnston 10.

So what turned it all around?

“It was more on the mental side,” said Parrott, who dished out 36 assists. “The big crowd, the bright lights ... starting with the second set, we became a team.”

Parrott was joined on the all-tournament team by Kruse and Johnston, as well as Janesville’s trio of Quinn Sweeney, Hayden Anderson and Tayah Pollock, plus Taylor Kipp of Dunkerton.

Janesville (33-12) was in the state field for the 14th time in the last 16 years, a run that produced five championships. Sweeney led the Wildcats with 12 kills.

Comments: [email protected]

Iowa High School Football Playoffs: Saint Ansgar, MMCRU Advance

For 24 minutes, looked poised to pull the upset and knock top-ranked off in the Class A Iowa high school football playoffs on Thursday inside the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa.But a pair of big plays turned all of that around, as the Saints advanced to the championship with a 31-7 victory.Trailing 7-6 at the intermission, Connor Mullenbach returned the opening kickoff in the second half 83 yards for a touchdown, putting Saint Ansgar ahead, 12-7. Later in the third quarter, the Warriors had pinned the Saints down deep near the...

For 24 minutes, looked poised to pull the upset and knock top-ranked off in the Class A Iowa high school football playoffs on Thursday inside the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

But a pair of big plays turned all of that around, as the Saints advanced to the championship with a 31-7 victory.

Trailing 7-6 at the intermission, Connor Mullenbach returned the opening kickoff in the second half 83 yards for a touchdown, putting Saint Ansgar ahead, 12-7. Later in the third quarter, the Warriors had pinned the Saints down deep near their own end zone.

But instead of forcing a three-and-out and getting the ball back by flipping the field, it was a 90-yard pass-and-catch connection by Porter Schwiesow and star running back Korben Michels that resulted in a touchdown.

Leading 18-7 late in the third, Schwiesow broke free for a 30-yard run, adding another touchdown scamper in the fourth. The sophomore, who replaced standout Jayce Schwiesow at quarterback this year, finished 4-for-7 for 115 yards and two touchdowns, rushing for 41 yards and two more scores.

Michels, one of the top running backs in the state, had 74 yards on 14 carries and 95 yards receiving with two touchdowns on two receptions.

For Wapsie Valley, Hunter Curley finished with 81 yards rushing and Caleb Hogan had 96 yards passing, including an 8-yard touchdown to Cadyn Dana.

Saint Ansgar’s defense recorded two interceptions courtesy Jaeger Trytten and Joe Clevenber, as Chase Haugen had a sack. Clevenger led with 15 tackles and both Matt Clevenger and Seth Shotts each had nine stops. Michels also recovered a fumble.

Blake Heese had 10 tackles with a fumble recovery for the Wapsie Valley defense, as Luke Riordan recorded eight tackles.

The Saints previously won a state football title competing in 1A back in 2011. Wapsie Valley was in pursuit of the sixth state football championship for the program.

MMCRU Handles District Rival West Sioux, 28-0

In a meeting of district rivals, it was MMCRU scoring another victory over West Sioux, 28-0.

This one puts the Royals into the state championship game where they will meet Saint Ansgar next week inside the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Eli Harpenau found Michael Schmillen on three first half touchdown passes, giving MMCRU early command of the game. The first game with just over two minutes to go in the opening quarter on a 47-yard connection.

With 2:36 to play before the half, Harpeanu found Schmillen from 60 yards out, and the duo connected again from 40 yards out with 40 seconds to go before the break. Schmillen finished the first half with three catches for 147 yards and three touchdowns.

Harpeanu was 9 of 17 for 212 and four scores in the air for the game, adding 53 yards rushing. Brayson Mulder caught the other touchdown.

Blake Wiggins threw for 202 yards and ran for 42 to lead the Falcons, as former West Sioux star Hunter Dekkers watched on from the sidelines. Dekkers spent the summer in minicamp with the New Orleans Saints of the NFL.

Braylon Lopez caught seven passes for 88 yards and Gavin Gerritson had four for 82.

The MMCRU defense, which had allowed just four touchdowns all year by its starters, received interceptions from both Gage Johnson and Wyatt Alesch. Johnson tallied a team-high 11 tackles and Eli Schlenger had eight. Schmillen recorded three tackles for loss.

Gavin Gerritson had 14 tackles for West Sioux, as Eli Mora added 10 with two for loss.

More Iowa High School Sports Headlines

MMCRU beats Saint Ansgar to claim Class A Iowa football state title

CEDAR FALLS — Third time is the charm for MMCRU football.The Royals qualified for the postseason in 2023 and 2024 but never made it out of the second round of regionals. This season was different, though, as MMCRU capped a perfect 13-0 campaign with a 30-17 win over Saint Ansgar in the Iowa high school football Class A championship game on Nov. 20.“It’s still sinking in,” said head coach Kyle Oswald postgame. “Grateful, that’s about the only (word) I can come up with right now. Grateful that ...

CEDAR FALLS — Third time is the charm for MMCRU football.

The Royals qualified for the postseason in 2023 and 2024 but never made it out of the second round of regionals. This season was different, though, as MMCRU capped a perfect 13-0 campaign with a 30-17 win over Saint Ansgar in the Iowa high school football Class A championship game on Nov. 20.

“It’s still sinking in,” said head coach Kyle Oswald postgame. “Grateful, that’s about the only (word) I can come up with right now. Grateful that we have the opportunity to have done this.

“I’ve got great kids. I’ve got a great coaching staff who gets them prepared, and I’ve got a great God that allowed this to happen.”

The Royals jumped out to a convincing lead, converting two Saint Ansgar fumbles into points on the board. Eli Harpenau connected with Michael Schmillen on a 12-yard pass for the first touchdown of the game, and Gage Johnson hit a 27-yard field goal to make it a 10-0 game.

Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!

Harpenau made it 17-0 early in the second quarter, running in a touchdown from 6 yards out to make it a three-score game.

That’s when the Saints came marching in.

Korben Michels returned a kickoff – immediately following MMCRU’s second touchdown – 78 yards for Saint Ansgar’s first points. The Saints dialed up the defense, too, with Trey Johanns coming down with an interception and Saint Ansgar forcing a turnover on downs on the Royals' next two possessions.

MMCRU and Saint Ansgar remained at 17-7 well into the third quarter. The Saints defense picked off Harpenau twice – with Hale Dieterich and Seth Shotts getting the credit – and Porter Schwiesow made it a 17-10 game with a 26-yard field goal toward the end of the frame.

The Royals shifted momentum to their favor in the fourth, though.

Brayson Mulder ran into the end zone from 6 yards out and, after the two-point conversion failed, MMCRU took a 23-10 lead. On Saint Ansgar’s next drive, Johnson intercepted Schwiesow, but the Royals were forced to punt at the end of that drive.

And the Saints wasted little time making up for their mistake. Schwiesow threw a 66-yard touchdown pass to Connor Mullenbach on the first play after the punt and, just like that, it was a one-score game again.

But Saint Ansgar’s championship hopes faded as MMCRU ran nearly four minutes off the clock and marched downfield on its next drive. Mulder put the game away with a 13-yard touchdown run with one minute and change remaining, securing the Royals’ first-ever state title.

Harpenau threw for 169 yards and one touchdown. Mulder led the rushing group with 58 yards and two touchdowns. John Schmillen led the team with nine total tackles.

Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at [email protected] or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.

Disclaimer:

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