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 Colonial Town Park 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 Lake Mary, FL 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.
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 Central 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 FD Prime Modern Steakhouse or visit Lake Mary Museum, 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 Lake Mary, FL, 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 Lake Mary, FL 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 Lake Mary, FL 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.
Lake Mary, Florida is out for revenge today at the 2025 Little League Softball World Series. A win against Tulsa, Oklahoma puts them one win away from playing for the championship, just like the Lake Mary baseball team did at the 2024 LLWS.Florida won its opening game in Greenville, North Carolina before falling to Oklahoma 2-1. Addison Bono put Lake Mary ahead with a sacrifice fly in the first inning, but Tulsa answered with runs in the third and fourth, and Harmoneigh White shut down the bats the rest of the way. Lake Mary rolled of...
Lake Mary, Florida is out for revenge today at the 2025 Little League Softball World Series. A win against Tulsa, Oklahoma puts them one win away from playing for the championship, just like the Lake Mary baseball team did at the 2024 LLWS.
Florida won its opening game in Greenville, North Carolina before falling to Oklahoma 2-1. Addison Bono put Lake Mary ahead with a sacrifice fly in the first inning, but Tulsa answered with runs in the third and fourth, and Harmoneigh White shut down the bats the rest of the way. Lake Mary rolled off two straight wins over Guilford, Connecticut and Mill Creek, Washington to set up the rematch.
The Lake Mary boys also had to avenge an earlier loss on their title run, beating the Texas team in the U.S. bracket final last year. If the girls can do the same, they will face Johnstown, Pennsylvania for a place in Sunday's LLSWS championship game.
Score updates, highlights from Lake Mary, Florida vs Tulsa, OklahomaHere's what to know about today's game, including time, TV and streaming info and more:
Play the USA TODAY Quick Cross now.Here's a look at Lake Mary's schedule at the 2025 Little League Softball World Series. All times Eastern:
See Lake Mary's potential path to the championship in the 2025 Little League Softball World Series bracket.
Here are the games on the schedule today at the Little League Softball World Series. Check out the complete schedule. All times Eastern:
Lake Mary is a suburban city in Central Florida's Seminole County, about 20 miles north of Orlando.
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The Little League World Series is back, giving us 12 days of the most popular youth baseball tournament in the world. Unfortunately for fans in Florida, we'll see a new champion crowned at the event's end.Lake Mary Little League won the 2024 tournament, beating Chinese Taipei in an eight-inning thriller to become the state's first-ever LLWS champion. The team received a royal welcome after returning home, getting a parade through their hometown before heading about 20 miles south for a celebration through Disney World.However, ...
The Little League World Series is back, giving us 12 days of the most popular youth baseball tournament in the world. Unfortunately for fans in Florida, we'll see a new champion crowned at the event's end.
Lake Mary Little League won the 2024 tournament, beating Chinese Taipei in an eight-inning thriller to become the state's first-ever LLWS champion. The team received a royal welcome after returning home, getting a parade through their hometown before heading about 20 miles south for a celebration through Disney World.
However, Lake Mary came one game short of making it back to Williamsport, Pennsylvania for the 2025 LLWS. In the final game of the regional tournament, the boys from Irmo, South Carolina shocked the defending champions by scoring all five of their runs in a 5-4 victory with two outs in the final inning. In another twist of fate, the Lake Mary softball team was ousted from the Little League Softball World Series on a walk-off home run.
So rather than Florida, South Carolina will be one of 20 teams from across the United States and the rest of the world competing in the Little League World Series from Aug. 13-24. The modified double-elimination format means all teams are guaranteed to play at least two games, plus another consolation game to let every team play an opponent from another country.
Here's what to know about the 2025 Little League World Series, including the teams involved, schedule, LLWS bracket and TV and streaming info:
No. Lake Mary Little League narrowly missed its chance to defend its championship from the 2024 Little League World Series.
Lake Mary stormed through the state tournament, winning the Florida title for the third straight year. They were the favorite in the Southeast regional tournament and looked the part early on, winning their first three games by a combined score of 26-1. Lake Mary's run started with a narrow 2-1 victory over Nolensville, Tennessee, the team that beat them in 2023 to advance to the LLWS. They then turned on the jets to beat Shenandoah Junction, West Virginia and Irmo, South Carolina in five-inning mercy-rule decisions.
The South Carolina team earned a rematch with Florida in the Southeast championship game Aug. 6, and it started out much like their first matchup. Lake Mary had a 4-0 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth inning with their best pitcher, Jacob Brown, on the mound. But he reached his pitch limit after two walks to start the inning, and Irmo Little League took full advantage, loading the bases before reaching their final out. Preston Ware drew a walk to score a run, and then Joe Giuletti, Irmo's best hitter, was intentionally walked for another run. That set the stage for Brady Westbrooks, who smoked a bases-clearing double off the left-field wall to give South Carolina a stunning 5-4 win and send them to Williamsport.
Irmo, South Carolina beat Lake Mary, Florida to represent the Southeast Region at the 2025 Little League World Series. Here are all 20 teams sorted by region competing this year in Williamsport, Pennsylvania:
Here are the games on the schedule today at the Little League World Series. All times Eastern:
Want to see the potential matchups down the road in Williamsport? Pore over the entire Little League World Series bracket.
All games at the 2025 Little League World Series will air on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2. Streaming options include Fubo and ESPN+.
The champions of the U.S. and international brackets will meet in the LLWS championship game at 3 p.m. ET Sunday, Aug. 24. The game will be broadcast on ABC with streaming available on Fubo.
(This story has been updated to update the LLWS schedule.)
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Not again! Lake Mary, Florida took on Tulsa, Oklahoma in a rematch at the 2025 Little League Softball World Series. They wound up meeting the same fate as the Lake Mary baseball team, ending their Little League World Series run on a walk-off.This time, Harmoneigh White played the hero for the Oklahoma team. She pitched a complete game with seven strikeouts, then hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to break a tie that had lasted most of the game. The win moves Tulsa National Little League to a game against Johnstow...
Not again! Lake Mary, Florida took on Tulsa, Oklahoma in a rematch at the 2025 Little League Softball World Series. They wound up meeting the same fate as the Lake Mary baseball team, ending their Little League World Series run on a walk-off.
This time, Harmoneigh White played the hero for the Oklahoma team. She pitched a complete game with seven strikeouts, then hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to break a tie that had lasted most of the game. The win moves Tulsa National Little League to a game against Johnstown, Pennsylvania for a spot in the championship game at the international tournament.
Two days before, the defending champion Lake Mary baseball team was knocked out of the LLWS regional championship after watching a four-run lead go up in smoke in the final inning.
This was a rematch for Lake Mary softball, which had lost to Oklahoma 2-1 earlier in the LLSWS. Between the two games, White held Florida's potent lineup to just two runs on eight hits with 12 strikeouts. Addison Bono provided the team's only runs in both losses, this time opening the game with an RBI single.
Two straight wins got Lake Mary back into a meeting with Tulsa, which lost to Johnstown, Pennsylvania on Aug. 7. That's who awaits Oklahoma now in the purple bracket final, with either Japan, North Carolina or Indiana ahead in the LLSWS championship.
Play the USA TODAY Quick Cross now.Keep scrolling for a rewind of the exciting game in Greenville, North Carolina and to see the highlights.
Tulsa 3, Lake Mary 1 | Final | ESPN2 | Fubo
FL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
OK | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 1 |
Harmoneigh White was out of breath talking to ESPN's Kris Budden after her home run, which she said was the first she's ever hit. "Is this real? Is it over?" she said as her Oklahoma teammates celebrated around her.
Lake Mary went down in order, giving Tulsa a chance to walk off with the win.
Cayden Hugh takes over at pitcher for Lake Mary. Sam Bradley ends her day in the circle with one run allowed on four hits with a walk and four strikeouts on 57 pitches over four innings.
Right after Tulsa left the bases loaded, Lake Mary follows suit, keeping the score tied 1-1.
Harmoneigh White needed eight pitches to get out of the fourth.
Harmoneigh White shut down Lake Mary in order.
Rachel Lester led off with a single, but Harmoneigh White escaped damage with two strikeouts.
Sam Bradley pitched the last two innings against Tulsa on Monday, allowing one run on three hits with three strikeouts.
Harmoneigh White is pitching for Tulsa after pitching a complete game in the teams' first meeting Monday.
Sam Bradley gets the start in the circle for the Florida team. All players on the roster get to bat.
Here are the games on the schedule today at the Little League Softball World Series. Check out the complete schedule. All times Eastern:
Here's an updated look at Lake Mary Little League's path to the championship. All times Eastern:
Here are the Lake Mary Little League players.
Lake Mary is a suburban city in Central Florida's Seminole County, about 20 miles north of Orlando.
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LAKE MARY, Fla. — Downtown Lake Mary is in the middle of a transformation with millions of federal dollars fueling major upgrades that city leaders say will change the way people experience the area.What You Need To Know Longtime business owner Ryan Sadove has run her boutique downtown with her sister for 16 years. She said that for her, the investment is personal.“We’ve raised our kids here, built our life here. We just really love this community,” Sadove said.Over the ye...
LAKE MARY, Fla. — Downtown Lake Mary is in the middle of a transformation with millions of federal dollars fueling major upgrades that city leaders say will change the way people experience the area.
Longtime business owner Ryan Sadove has run her boutique downtown with her sister for 16 years. She said that for her, the investment is personal.
“We’ve raised our kids here, built our life here. We just really love this community,” Sadove said.
Over the years, Sadove has watched the city’s center change. New shops and restaurants have popped up, and holiday lights and events keep families coming back.
“It feels like a small-town experience, sometimes like a Hallmark movie with the lights and events,” she said.
That small-town charm is now being paired with large-scale improvements. Lake Mary received $8.75 million through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), a federal COVID-19 relief package. Of that, $2.55 million is set aside for downtown upgrades.
Deputy Mayor Justin York said the goal is to make the district more welcoming and resilient.
“There’s better streetscapes, safer intersections, and utilities going underground so businesses can keep their power on during storms. It’s really about making downtown more walkable and welcoming,” York said.
For Sadove, success comes down to keeping things easy for customers.
“If you make it easier for people, better roads, better lighting, they’re more likely to come back. That’s what people want: convenience and an experience,” she said.
But with more people comes more traffic. Business owners hope the city uses some of the money to expand parking as downtown continues to grow.
City leaders say all of Lake Mary’s ARPA funding must be spent by 2026. The downtown upgrades are expected to roll out over the next few years, bringing new infrastructure and more space for families and businesses.
Sadove says she hopes those changes only add to what makes Lake Mary unique.
“Everybody’s so friendly, most of the businesses are family-owned,” Sadove said. “I just hope people come and get that warm, small-town feeling when they visit.”
The Lions forced three turnovers, sacked star QB Noah Grubbs five times, and scored on a 96-yard kickoff return to claim a statement preseason winOviedo Lions football coach Greg Odierno expressed concern Friday night about facing a Lake Mary team loaded with dozens of transfers. But he might have forgotten just how talented his own team is this season.A fired-up Lions team used a superb defensive effort and some timely plays to stun the defending Class 7A state runner-up Rams, 14-9, before a large home crowd in a preseason Kic...
The Lions forced three turnovers, sacked star QB Noah Grubbs five times, and scored on a 96-yard kickoff return to claim a statement preseason win
Oviedo Lions football coach Greg Odierno expressed concern Friday night about facing a Lake Mary team loaded with dozens of transfers. But he might have forgotten just how talented his own team is this season.
A fired-up Lions team used a superb defensive effort and some timely plays to stun the defending Class 7A state runner-up Rams, 14-9, before a large home crowd in a preseason Kickoff Classic game.
Oviedo’s defense forced three turnovers and sacked Lake Mary star quarterback Noah Grubbs at least five times to gain some momentum heading into its regular-season opener against Bishop Moore on Aug. 22.
“The team played great,” said Oviedo junior quarterback Sebastian Galeano, who showed poise and great leadership skills as starter. “Couldn’t have done it without the defense. They came up huge in the red zone.”
The stalwart defensive effort helped Oviedo stay in the game and find a way to win. After Lake Mary took a 3-0 lead on 22-yard field goal with 4 minutes, 39 seconds left in the first quarter, the Lions finally found their rhythm in the second quarter when Carmari Solomon scored on a 2-yard TD run with 3:24 left. Oviedo led 7-3 at the half.
“The O-line also had an amazing game,” Galeano said. “But there’s still a lot of room to improve and get better on. At the end of the day, our record is 0-0 and we still have to show people what we are about.”
The Lions sent the home crowd into a frenzy on the opening kickoff of the second half when Samari Chisolm took the ball and sprinted 96 yards to paydirt for a 14-3 lead.
“I knew I needed to get a kickoff return and my coach called it,” said a thrilled Chisolm.
The teams then battled it out, defensively, until Grubbs connected with senior Barrett Schulz, a transfer from University High (Orange City), on a 15-yard TD pass with just 50 seconds left. Lake Mary’s two-point conversion attempt failed and the Lions held on for the 14-9 win.
Lake Mary had multiple fumbles go into the end zone that resulted in touchbacks, and the Rams struggled to give Grubbs ample time to throw. He also looked rusty at times finding open receivers. The Rams will try to correct their mistakes in time before opening the season on Aug. 22 at home against Miami Norland.
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Jeff Gardenour can be reached via email at [email protected] or X @JMark
407-203-2460
