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 Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart 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 Newark, NC 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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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 Branch Brook 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 Fornos of Spain or visit Newark Makerhoods at the KruegerScott Mansion, 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 Newark, NC, 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 Newark, NC 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 Newark, NC 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.
NEWARK — One big play was the difference between the Newark Catholic football team celebrating a dominating defensive performance in a win and leaving dejected following a loss.The Green Wave’s defense led by its line held Worthington Christian at bay most of the night. The Warriors, however, hit a 62-yard TD pass moments before returning an interception for a score to flip the script and send NC to a 21-20 home loss in Week 4.“Knowing all of the good we have done and not focusing on the bad, it’s like f...
NEWARK — One big play was the difference between the Newark Catholic football team celebrating a dominating defensive performance in a win and leaving dejected following a loss.
The Green Wave’s defense led by its line held Worthington Christian at bay most of the night. The Warriors, however, hit a 62-yard TD pass moments before returning an interception for a score to flip the script and send NC to a 21-20 home loss in Week 4.
“Knowing all of the good we have done and not focusing on the bad, it’s like failing. You can’t let it affect you,” said senior Carmine Annarino, who is a part of a rotation inside of bookends junior Carter Chupka and Raife Shook.
“There is nothing we can do besides move on,” Annarino added. “You can’t hang yourself up on it, or else you won’t ever be able to move past it.”
NC forced a fumble to end Worthington Christian’s productive opening drive. The Green Wave later forced an incompletion on a fourth-and-4 play early in the fourth quarter while preserving their 20-7 lead.
Play the USA TODAY Quick Cross now.Chupka and Shook, who notched a team-high five solo tackles, including two for loss, were wreaking havoc from the start. Junior defensive back Jaxon Holman recovered the fumble and made four solo tackles.
“Part of is the life lesson. You can do something 99% good, but that 1% doesn’t end up your way,” NC coach Josh Hendershot said. “It starts with having a 12-hour rule. After that night comes and goes and we watch the film the next day, that’s kind of the cleanse. This is all of the great we did, and this is where we need to get better. Those guys buying into that is key, and a practice like (Monday) tells me they are.”
Embedded content: https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2025/08/20/2025-licking-county-football-schedule/84438240007/
It is the type of defensive effort NC (1-3) can look to duplicate when meeting Licking Valley (4-0) at White Field in Week 5.
Annarino and Billy Staneart, two of the Green Wave’s three seniors, are a part of the interior rotation with junior Jack Gossett and sophomore Payton Rothweiler, who made two solo tackles and assisted on three others against the Warriors.
“I have been working in the offseason — weightlifting, speed training. Really, it was anything the coaches were offering, and I was there every day,” said Annarino, also a starter on the offensive line. “I was trying to take advantage of the opportunities I am given. Obviously, we have limited time here. There are only six more games (guaranteed), and I can only make the most of it.”
“The biggest thing is his development as a leader,” Hendershot added. “It’s what some would consider all of the cliche stuff, but that stuff is what makes a difference. He has done all of that from winter workouts until now.”
NC’s offense also shined throughout much of the loss to Worthington Christian. Junior Malone Hutchison spread his three TD passes to classmate Kyler Dales, Chupka and senior Kylen Eskins, and freshman Landon Cox made a team-best five catches for 102 yards.
“Saturday, we have that recap day when we have to really focus in on the details,” Chupka said. “We really harp on that over the weekend. Come Monday, it’s like a fresh start. Everyone is 0-0 that week.”
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NEWARK — It was a festive atmosphere at Newark Catholic for three-and-a-half quarters Sept. 12 before the Worthington Christian football team crashed the party.NC had a 20-7 lead go away in the blink of an eye. The Green Wave later came up five yards short of victory, falling 21-20 to the Warriors in just the second true home game in NC history due to a scheduling conflict.“It was a cool environment,” NC coach Josh Hendershot said. “Everybody bought into it, being over here, which is obviously different....
NEWARK — It was a festive atmosphere at Newark Catholic for three-and-a-half quarters Sept. 12 before the Worthington Christian football team crashed the party.
NC had a 20-7 lead go away in the blink of an eye. The Green Wave later came up five yards short of victory, falling 21-20 to the Warriors in just the second true home game in NC history due to a scheduling conflict.
“It was a cool environment,” NC coach Josh Hendershot said. “Everybody bought into it, being over here, which is obviously different. Our fans showed up and did a great job. Obviously, we are disappointed we couldn’t get the win.”
Junior Malone Hutchison threw three touchdown passes, and a stout performance from the NC defense had the Green Wave (1-3) in control. Thomas Hartings’ 62-yard TD pass to Jack Smolenski, however, turned things in an instant.
The Warriors (1-3) cut the lead to 20-14 with six minutes left in the game. On the next NC offensive play, Jacob Mercer jumped up from his outside linebacker position, intercepted a quick pass and returned it 24 yards for what became the go-ahead score after Blake Miller’s third extra point.
“I was in Cover-2 and knew I had to drop to hook and curl,” Mercer said. “I was shuffling, shuffling, shuffling and saw him throw the ball. I think it was a back-side slant, and I am actually more shocked I caught it. I saw a guy coming who was going to tackle me, so I had to extend the ball for the touchdown.”
NC, which beat Buckeye Trail with a late score in Week 3, efficiently raced back down the field with freshman Landon Cox’s 41-yard catch and run setting up the Green Wave at the 5-yard line. The Warriors stood strong, forcing four consecutive incompletions, holding NC out of the end zone from the doorstep for the second time.
“Credit to Worthington Christian. They played a really tough game,” Hendershot said. “They were down obviously for the far majority of it and played really and kept themselves in it. For us, it came down to details. We lacked some of those details late in the game, and obviously that came back and hurt us.”
Worthington Christian iced the game as Joshua Unger broke free for a 17-yard gain on third-and-4.
The Warriors flipped their script. In two of their first three losses, they trailed by single digits at halftime against Danville and Centerburg before falling in lopsided fashion.
“We have always had a problem since I came here that we have been slow in the second half,” Mercer said. “We always get punched in the mouth, and everything goes down on a slippery slope from there. These guys, we got a big play, and all of the momentum went upwards. We were able to capitalize on it.”
NC grabbed the momentum in the first quarter when junior Jaxon Holman recovered a fumble to end a productive opening drive for Worthington Christian. Hutchison hit junior Kyler Dales for a 41-yard TD pass on a post on the ensuing drive.
Hutchison later hit junior tight end Carter Chupka for a 9-yard TD pass to give NC a 14-0 lead, but the Warriors scored just before halftime. The Green Wave answered, extending their lead to 20-7 on Hutchison’s 5-yard TD pass to senior Kylen Eskins late in the third quarter, and a fourth-and-4 stop at the NC 24 seemed to have the Warriors on the ropes in the fourth quarter.
“Looking at the last couple seasons, where we have grown is our ability to fight, to make some plays and push through,” said Hendershot, whose team also lost late to Allen East in Week 1. “You have to learn how to win right? You have to learn how to finish teams off.”
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NEWARK — Whether Jaxon Holman starts with the ball or eventually receives it, the Newark Catholic football coaching staff just wants to make sure its standout junior ends up with it.Holman enjoyed a breakout sophomore season at receiver a year ago before moving to quarterback because of injury. He now is making an impact at running back after injury again left the Green Wave scrambling.“I have always been used to running back, so it’s just been like picking up an old book,” said Holman, who noted his foo...
NEWARK — Whether Jaxon Holman starts with the ball or eventually receives it, the Newark Catholic football coaching staff just wants to make sure its standout junior ends up with it.
Holman enjoyed a breakout sophomore season at receiver a year ago before moving to quarterback because of injury. He now is making an impact at running back after injury again left the Green Wave scrambling.
“I have always been used to running back, so it’s just been like picking up an old book,” said Holman, who noted his football journey began at running back at the youth level.
Holman rushed for 101 yards on just 12 attempts, highlighted by a 76-yard burst, during NC’s 55-13 loss at West Jefferson in Week 2.
Holman’s dash down the sideline set up a 4-yard TD connection between classmates Malone Hutchison and Carter Chupka to answer West Jefferson’s first score. He made a 26-yard catch down the seam out of the slot to set up Hutchison’s 3-yard TD pass to freshman Jace Johnson to answer the Roughriders’ second score later in the first quarter.
“(The 76-yard run) definitely got us motivated for at least that drive. We scored on it, and we scored on our next drive, too,” Holman said. “It definitely got us up.”
Embedded content: https://www.newarkadvocate.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2025/08/20/2025-licking-county-football-schedule/84438240007/
NC coach Josh Hendershot said it did not take long to identify the need to get Holman the ball in anyway possible. His versatility has been a Godsend for a team already short on players that has been bitten by the injury bug the last two seasons.
“I don’t know if a ton of things changed for Jaxon because he always has been a real team player, but moving positions and giving unbelievable effort really showed his teammates what’s expected of everyone,” said Hendershot, whose team currently is without junior Max Childers, necessitating Holman’s move back into the backfield.
“It did open up his ability to see the field,” Hendershot added. “Anytime you can line up at quarterback, you are forced to see everything through everyone’s eyes, but he has done a good job of expanding his knowledge of the game."
Holman’s success on the ground comes behind a unit where NC is most experienced. Senior Carmine Annarino and returning juniors Max Moore, Jack Gossett and Jack Lohri are joined by freshman Chance King with senior Billy Staneart also rotating in.
“They are firing off the ball,” Holman said. “They don’t get any of the credit at all, and they just do it for the love of the game. I just love those guys for sure.”
NC was unable to keep pace the rest of the way with West Jefferson’s explosive offense as three turnovers were a culprit.
“We definitely have the ability to respond, but we just have to keep our poise,” said Holman, who also led the Green Wave with nine solo tackles out of the secondary. “We just have to keep pushing through whatever adversity we are going through and not get tired and never give up.”
NC (0-2) hits the road yet again, visiting Buckeye Trail (0-2) in Week 3. The Warriors have scored just six points following an August season-ending leg injury to standout quarterback Drew McGlumphy.
“The growth is there right now to get off the mat when anything bad happens,” Hendershot said. “It was obviously evident in Week 1, and there are things we have to clean up from last week. Early on, our defense was on the field for 20-plus plays, and the kids were just battling.”
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NEWARK ? Carmine Annarino feels the weight of being one of three seniors on the Newark Catholic football team this season."It starts with us and we want to do what we can for the future of Newark Catholic football," said the 255-pound lineman. "It's not about us. It's about them (the younger players). I'm excited to see what the junior class can do this season and next. They have a lot of talent."Third-year head coach Josh Hendershot and his staff of proud fellow NC alumni also have high hopes for the team's...
NEWARK ? Carmine Annarino feels the weight of being one of three seniors on the Newark Catholic football team this season.
"It starts with us and we want to do what we can for the future of Newark Catholic football," said the 255-pound lineman. "It's not about us. It's about them (the younger players). I'm excited to see what the junior class can do this season and next. They have a lot of talent."
Third-year head coach Josh Hendershot and his staff of proud fellow NC alumni also have high hopes for the team's 13 juniors.
However, they play a particularly demanding schedule that sees the first three games on the road, followed by home games against Worthington Christian and Licking Valley.
"The players need to trust in their ability," Hendershot said.
Play the USA TODAY Quick Cross now.This year's juniors saw Newark Catholic go 3-7 their freshman year before the Green Wave posted a 1-9 record when they were sophomores.
"They've grown up physically, emotionally and mentally," Hendershot continued. "They've watched film to expand their knowledge and become leaders, and we'll also rely on our three seniors for that."
Junior Malone Hutchison takes over for big brother Miller at quarterback and is ready to run the offense.
"I'm pretty confident, having grown up watching him and him helping me learn what to do and how to do it," Malone said. "I've worked on everything, whether to hand the ball off or tuck it, how to be more accurate with my throws. I have some good receivers out there with Jaxon Holman, Kyler Dales and Kylen Eskins; and Jaxon and I have always relied on each other."
Holman, another junior, had 18 receptions and three touchdown catches last season.
"I like him as our quarterback," he said of Hutchinson. "He's learning how to read defenses and he's looked good with the receivers. We do a lot of throwing after practice. We have a lot of returning experience this year, and some of it is at key positions."
Hendershot said Hutchison is good at not getting too high when good things happen, or too low when they don't.
"He has a good understanding of the game, and he's learning to trust the other 10 guys and not taking too much upon himself," he said. "We've made tweaks, manufacturing ways to get guys the ball in different situations."
Hutchison has senior Eskins and juniors Holman, Dales and Peter Moberg to throw to. Carter Chupka is a 6-foot-4 tight end.
State wrestler Max Childers and Chris Garber, a receiver last year, are juniors who will try to replace Hess at tailback. Raife Shook, a 6-3, 230-pound sophomore transfer from Licking Valley, will also get running back reps.
"Childers single-handedly went through all of his runs on Hudl and made cutups to study them. He's not just tough, he's smart," Hendershot said. "Garber has a good sense of pad level, and that's key for a running back."
Annarino at left guard is by far the biggest on a line that includes classmate Billy Staneart (175) at right guard, and juniors Max Moore (200) at left tackle, Jack Gossett (175) at right tackle and Jack Lohri (185) at center.
"At times, that whole group played together last year," Hendershot said.
Not surprisingly, most players will go both ways, so conditioning was ramped up even more than usual.
Shook and Chupka give NC some size at defensive end, with Staneart at one tackle and Annarino and Lohri sharing time at the other.
Moore, Gossett and Dales, who came back to the Green Wave from Heath, will be at linebacker. The linebacking corps has also been boosted by the transfer of junior Nate Gardner from East Knox. Childers will line up at both linebacker and safety.
Holman and Moberg are at the corners. Eskins is playing safety in addition to lining up as a wide receiver.
"Our defense is smart, athletic and has a nose for the football," Hendershot said. "They're communicating and flying around."
Junior Hal Gillespie is a soccer player (for Newark) who will take over the kicking duties. He also plays basketball and baseball. In fact, several players from the Green Wave's state runner-up team adorn the roster and say there's no reason the winning can't carry over to football.
"There's definitely some carry-over, and there needs to be carry-over," Holman said.
Observed Hutchison: "Just that morale and the confidence, and there's no reason we can't do it in football, too. We've put in the work, all the stuff others don't see. It's bettering yourself for the team."
Seventeen freshmen give NC hope for the future, and some of them may be able to help this season.
"I have no doubt they can do the job if they get the opportunity," Hendershot said.
"There's some skill in that class," said Holman.
Annarino said the freshmen have a lot of potential and have put in the work.
"I wouldn't be surprised if some of them get playing time," he said. "They're now part of the Newark Catholic family, and we want to make them feel comfortable. There were a lot of positives throughout the classes this summer, and the workouts began in June. We have everything we need here to be successful. We just all have to be committed to the game and be able to handle adversity."
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