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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

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Home Care In Liberty Center, OH

Home Care Liberty Center, OH

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 Liberty Center Depot Museum 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 Liberty Center, OH is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Liberty Center, OH

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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

“Great home care experience all around! Between the nursing, therapy, and caregivers I couldn't ask for a better company! Keep up the great work!!”

Evil K.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I switched to Always Best Care from another visiting nurse association and I’m so glad I did. The staff was great and made every effort to help my mom recover from her stroke. They always gave us 1 or 2 days notice on appointments and were always on time. If we had to reschedule, they were understanding. Most importantly, they helped quite a lot! I highly recommend them over VNA. Thanks for helping our family.”

Kat D.
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“The representatives are always professional! You can tell they love what they do!”

Michele F.
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“I love working for this company . I've been working for about a year and a half . I highly recommend this company to caregivers as well as people in need of good quality service and standards . 5 stars is a true rating and it's an honor to be a part of the team.”

Lisa N.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am very pleased to recommend Always Best Care Cleveland South. The staff of ABC are hardworking, genuine and wonderful individuals that truly have a passion for caring for others. I cannot say better things about their management as they are quick to respond, deliver excellent customer services and genuinely care about giving excellent service. They are very understanding of delicate situations and handle issues with sensitivity. I wouldn’t trust the care of my loved ones with anyone else. Excellent organization!”

Tori D.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am very pleased to recommend Always Best Care Cleveland South. The staff of ABC are hardworking, genuine and wonderful individuals that truly have a passion for caring for others. I cannot say better things about their management as they are quick to respond, deliver excellent customer services and genuinely care about giving excellent service. They are very understanding of delicate situations and handle issues with sensitivity. I wouldn’t trust the care of my loved ones with anyone else. Excellent organization!”

Tori M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I retired my full time job two years ago but still wanted to work part time only in a different field. I have always enjoyed helping people and I was lucky enough to find Always Best Care and have been working for them for two years. Keith and his entire staff are very personable, are easy to contact and/or get a return call in a timely fashion and will work with you when scheduling your work hours. I have been blessed to work with quite a few elderly people and have enjoyed every minute. They are sweet, kind, gentle and so appreciative for everything you do for them. I love everyday working to help those in need of help. Debi Mick”

Debi M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“My husband passed away on 4/11/17. His life was extended greatly because of the care you supplied, Keith through the VA. The caregivers gave him exercises as well as help with showering, dressing, and the most important, good company. His alzheimer's limited his talking but they always made him laugh. God bless you all.”

Anna M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Mr. McCurdy our family thanks you for the wonderful care you provided to our parents. Your caregivers were so very good and compassionate to Kenneth and Esther. They went above and beyond our expectations and provided a level of care we cannot express enough. We will highly recommend you to anyone in need of your services. Once again thank you.”

Ronald O.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Hello Keith, Want to thank you for sending us the help we needed. Stephanie & Desiree were wonderful- put us at ease and were so caring. Excellent. The help you all gave comforted us and got us through the worst day of our lives. Bless you all for the work you do- and it is BEST CARE- EXCELLENT COMPANY.”

Deb L.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Liberty Center, OH?

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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 Liberty Center, OH

Types of Elderly Care in Liberty Center, OH

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 Liberty Center, OH
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 Liberty Center, OH
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 Liberty Township 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 Liberty Center, OH
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 Son of a Butcher or visit Fort Meigs 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 Liberty Center, OH

Benefits of Home Care in Liberty Center, OH

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 Liberty Center, OH, 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 Liberty Center, OH

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 OH'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 Liberty Center, OH

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 Liberty Center, OH 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 Liberty Center, OH

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 Liberty Center, OH

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:

  • Liberty Station Health Campus
  • Beehive Homes of Liberty Township
  • Liberty Place Memory Care
  • Liberty Nursing Centers of Lima
  • Liberty Nursing Center of Mansfield
  • Liberty Arms Assisted Living
Home Care Liberty Center, OH

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 Liberty Center, OH

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 Liberty Center, OH 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 Liberty Center, OH

Latest News in Liberty Center, OH

Liberty Center football defense is No. 1 in Ohio

LIBERTY CENTER, Ohio — Through the first six weeks of the Ohio high school football season, the No. 1 statistical defense in the state has been the Liberty Center Tigers of the Northwest Ohio Athletic League.Coach Casey Mohler's team, which is ranked No. 2 in the latest Division V state poll after finishing at 15-1 as state runner-up last season, has recorded four shutouts, yielded only 14 total points, and allowed just 140 total yards per game (60 rushing).This comes on the heels of Liberty Center's topping foes 677-127 ...

LIBERTY CENTER, Ohio — Through the first six weeks of the Ohio high school football season, the No. 1 statistical defense in the state has been the Liberty Center Tigers of the Northwest Ohio Athletic League.

Coach Casey Mohler's team, which is ranked No. 2 in the latest Division V state poll after finishing at 15-1 as state runner-up last season, has recorded four shutouts, yielded only 14 total points, and allowed just 140 total yards per game (60 rushing).

This comes on the heels of Liberty Center's topping foes 677-127 in 2023, meaning the Tigers have given up just 141 points in their past 22 games (6.4 per game).

So far in 2024, only one other team in Ohio has allowed fewer than 20 points, with West Lafayette Ridgewood (6-0, ranked No. 7 in Division VI) surrendering 16.

Meanwhile, the Tigers (6-0, 3-0 NWOAL) have scored 269 points in upping their regular-season winning streak to 31 straight games. Through their six 2024 wins, they are outscoring opponents by an average of 44.8 to 2.3 per game while outgaining them 407-140 offensively.

“I think we've got really good players,” said Mohler, who is 82-15 overall in his eighth season. “They're guys that have worked really hard and they buy into the system. It probably doesn't matter what [scheme] we run defensively. It's going to work when you have really good players.”

Matt Bryan, a McComb graduate who has been the Tigers' defensive coordinator since Mohler gave up that role upon succeeding Ohio hall-of-fame coach Rex Lingruen (253-104 receord, 1985-2016) in 2017, is in agreement.

“We've got good players,” Bryan said of the stingy defense. “Guys who care and buy into the system. We're pretty aggressive. We kind of have a mindset with our seniors that they're going to go get the football. That helps a lot. That's probably the biggest factor, the kids.”

THE BLADE/STEVE JUNGA

The defense is manned by its 11 starters and seven others who regularly rotate in throughout games at the three levels of the Tigers' 3-3 scheme.

Up front are seniors Zander Zeiter and Kyelar Kern, as well as junior Hunter Spangler.

“It's a unit,” Zeiter said of the defensive mindset. “The defensive line could be really good, the linebackers could be really good, and the DBs could be really good. But, ultimately, it's a unit.

“There's 11 guys on the field, and I think we do a really good job of playing as one unit. That's what makes us good. It's kind of like a brotherhood.

“The coaches do a really good job of preparing us each week. The big thing coach Mohler says is that, 'No matter who the opponent is, we always practice to beat the best team in the state.' We always keep the goal on the next team we face.”

The 6-2, 240-pound Zeiter has 20 tackles, 10 for losses, and two sacks.

The linebacking core includes senior Waylon Rentz in the middle, flanked by classmate Stephen Brogan and sophomore Garrison Kruse.

“We always just try to play as fast as we can and try to be as physical as we can,” said the 5-11, 205-pound Rentz, who has a team-high 32 tackles. He also leads LC with 510 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on offense. “We all get to the ball really quick, and when we get to the ball, we try to hit the ball carrier as hard as we can.

“[Last year's playoff run] created a lot of momentum for us, and we're all really hungry to get back to that spot. We all want to bring it home this year. Everybody just does their job and, basically, that's all it takes.”

In the secondary are senior cornerbacks Grady Miller and Cam Kahle, senior safeties Blake Garber and Jackson Bartels, and junior rover Thomas Mohler (Casey's son).

“Every week our defensive coach, coach Bryan, sets a goal for us,” Miller said, “and our scout team does a great job [in practice], giving us good looks on what to do, and we all really trust each other and know that we're going to get the job done.

“We've got some athletes, I guess, but we're not all crazy athletic. Coach Bryan does a good job scheming up and knows where to put people and who can make plays.”

GETTING DEFENSIVEHere is a look at the top five points allowed per game average in Ohio (all divisions) this season as of Thursday afternoon, according to MartinRPI.

2.3 — Liberty Center (Division V)

2.7 — Ridgewood (Division VI)

3.7 — Marion Local (Division VI)

4.0 — Bluffton (Division VI)

4.2 — Lutheran East (Division IV)

The 6-4, 205-pound Miller is also the Tigers' quarterback, so far completing 15 of 25 passes for 446 yards and eight TDs, and adding 157 rushing yards and a TD.

“Us seniors, we all want it really bad this year,” Miller said. Last year, after we lost [the state final], it was sad, but we were all back in the weight room within a week or two. We want to get back bad, and show what we can do.”

Rotating in up front are seniors Brady Giesige and Tyler Ley, as well as sophomore Kellen Wymer. Alternating in at linebacker are junior Max Walker and sophomore Jaxton Lawniczak, and backing up the secondary are juniors Kaden Sonnenberg and Mason Smith.

This group of 18 players is an example of the luxury coach Mohler has with the development of the program as a bona fide state power that sports a 73-player roster, huge for a school with Liberty Center's enrollment.

The depth the Tigers have created has allowed them to fill a graduation void that included first team All-Ohioans Landon Bockelman (offensive line) and Colton Kruse (RB), second team All-Ohioan Trenton Kruse (LB), and third team All-Ohioan Landen Kruse (DB).

“The standard that these guys play at has risen each year over the last couple years,” coach Mohler said. “They know how important it is, what it takes, and what previous classes have done. They want to uphold that standard, and I think our depth this year helps.

“We've had some running clocks this year. In the the past, when we've had running clocks and put our backups in, they'd give up a touchdown. This year, our backups are a lot of juniors and some really good sophomores. When they get in, we haven't given up a lot of points.”

The only touchdown the first-team defense has allowed this season came on an 85-yard pass in the second quarter of the Tigers' 31-7 win over Napoleon in Week 2, a play coach Mohler said came on a blown coverage.

The other TD came against Liberty's backups in a 37-7 win at Otsego in Week 3.

“I think our guys want to be as good as they can possibly be,” coach Mohler said. “We've had a lot of success the last couple years. They've tasted that and want to continue that. They know that defense the last 2-3 years had been our strong suit.

“When we put up offensive numbers, a lot of times it's been because our defense has set our offense up on a short field or scored defensive touchdowns. They just take a lot of pride in playing defense, being physical, and not giving up points.”

This season is a carryover of the Tigers' remarkable 69-12 run over the past six years, a stretch in which the road to the state championship has gone through Liberty Center four times.

In 2018, Mohler's team finished 12-2 with a loss to eventual champion Orrville in the D-V state semifinals. The Tigers finished 10-2 with a second-round playoff loss in 2019, and reached the third round in a pandemic-abbreviated 7-3 2020 season.

In 2021, LC ended 11-3 with a regional-final loss to eventual D-VI state champion Carey (15-1). In 2022, the Tigers finished 14-1 with a state-semifinal loss to eventual D-V state champion Canfield South Range (16-0), and last year's 15-1 season closed with a narrow 21-14 loss to top-ranked Perry (16-0) in the D-V title game in Canton.

“There's a lot of carryover from last year,” Mohler said of the 2024 success. “Those guys got to the big stage. They know what it's like, and they know what it takes to get there. They got a little taste of it and they want a little bit more.

“That's a tribute to last year's senior class, and it goes back before that, when these guys were freshmen. Each year we just got a little bit hungrier, and we found out a little bit more of what it took to get there. Hopefully, this group can continue on that rise.”

Retaining their current position as Ohio's stingiest defense will be a serious challenge for the Tigers on Friday, when they travel to Hamler to face Henry County rival Patrick Henry (5-1, 3-0) in an NWOAL first-place showdown.

Veteran coach Bill Inselmann's Patriots come in ranked No. 9 in Division VI. Their lone loss came in Week 3 by a 27-13 score at Columbus Grove (6-0), Ohio's No. 2-ranked team in Division VII.

Although Liberty Center blanked the visiting Patriots 62-0 last season, this matchup promises to be much more competitive. Patrick Henry advanced to Ohio's D-VII state semifinals last season and feature a new look in this rivalry series.

“This game's going to look a little different than it has in the past,” coach Mohler said. “Patrick Henry is extremely physical, and they're going to run the ball. We're going to try to run the ball. There's going to be a lot of smash-mouth football. They're big and strong and have a lot of really good athletes.

“Lincoln Creager [senior QB/DB] and Grant Smith [junior DL/RB] are exceptional athletes, and Bill [Inselmann] does a great job every year with the passing game. We're going to have to be on our toes defensively, and really cover the whole field.”

Smith was a first team D-VII All-Ohioan at DL in 2023, and Creager was named to the second team at DB. Inselmann (32nd season, 265-101 record) is northwest Ohio’s winningest active head football coach.

Liberty Center has won the past five meetings with Patrick Henry in the series, which began in 1970, but the Patriots lead 36-24 all-time in the rivalry. The Tigers are seeking their third league title in a row and their fourth overall under Mohler.

First Published October 3, 2024, 2:58 p.m.

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