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 Old Fort Spanish Fork Monument in Spanish Fork, UT 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 Spanish Fork, UT 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.
“Best ever. Always very great service. Whitney is awesome.”
“Working for Always Best Care has been a wonderful experience. They genuinely care about”
“I've been a caregiver for ABC clients for just over 6 months. I absolutely love”
“Lea, Brent and the staff are great. Because I live in a different city, the”
“My experience with Always Best Care was hands down amazing! Their staff is super attentive”
“I cannot express enough how grateful I am for the exceptional care Siale provided for”
“Best ever. Always very great service. Whitney is awesome.”
“Working for Always Best Care has been a wonderful experience. They genuinely care about their clients and go above and beyond to make sure that the employees and the clients are valued and important. They are so great to focus on compassion, quality care, and teamwork.”
“I've been a caregiver for ABC clients for just over 6 months. I absolutely love what I do, I love all of the clients, I love the feedback I get from my team! I love my manager shelly!! she is so amazing with communication and so focused on how to help me succeed and grow with this company, and so attentive to our clients! I am so happy to be able to help our clients each day and have such an amazing team!”
“Lea, Brent and the staff are great. Because I live in a different city, the staff takes care of my father’s needs where he lives. Maria is wonderful with my dad. I’ve not personally met the staff, except Maria, but I’m very grateful for all they do for my dad and me. Appreciate them.”
“My experience with Always Best Care was hands down amazing! Their staff is super attentive and kind. I always felt like I was their first priority and that they really cared about me. 10/10 would recommend!!”
“I cannot express enough how grateful I am for the exceptional care Siale provided for my dad. He was committed to delivering the highest quality of care and truly valued my dad as a patient. Siale, he goes over and beyond to make a positive impact on the lives of his patients.”
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 Spanish Fork City Park in Spanish Fork, UT 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 Olive Garden Italian Restaurant or visit Old Historic Spanish Fork High School Gymnasium, 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 Spanish Fork, UT, 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 Spanish Fork, UT 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 Spanish Fork, UT 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.
When Spanish Fork’s municipal codes were written, its framers didn’t envision data centers, city spokesperson Jack Urquhart said.Others have hit pause on such developments, but an “innovative” proposal from a data center company looking to take up operation in a warehouse at the mouth of Spanish Fork Canyon has the city rethinking its ordinances.Even with assurances from the company, the Provo-based Volition, that its data center is nothing like the controversial project pitched for Box Elder County, the...
When Spanish Fork’s municipal codes were written, its framers didn’t envision data centers, city spokesperson Jack Urquhart said.
Others have hit pause on such developments, but an “innovative” proposal from a data center company looking to take up operation in a warehouse at the mouth of Spanish Fork Canyon has the city rethinking its ordinances.
Even with assurances from the company, the Provo-based Volition, that its data center is nothing like the controversial project pitched for Box Elder County, the proposal has some residents worried about the potential consequences on the air, water and environment.
While the City Council weighed the proposal — and listened to nearly two hours of public comment on Tuesday — council members haven’t yet made a decision on whether to amend city code to explicitly allow data centers. They instead opted to table the matter until their next meeting in September.
Here’s what we know about the proposed data center:
Location: 4000 E. U.S. 6, Spanish Fork, at the million-square-foot old Fingerhut warehouse that currently operates as a distribution center, Urquhart said.
Urquhart said trucks currently go in and out of that facility. That wouldn’t be the case if Volition moved in, CEO Jeff Chavez said.
Fuel source: This data center would be powered by Bloom Energy fuel cells, which generate electricity from natural gas on-site. It wouldn’t be reliant on the electrical grid for data center operations, Chavez said. Natural gas would be converted to power from a chemical reaction, he added, not combustion.
It would draw temporary power from the grid during construction, the company said.
Cooling system: Closed loop, non-evaporative water. That means an initial dump of 500,000 gallons, followed by 250,000 gallons per year after that, the company said. The company also promised not to seek any additional water rights from the city.
Computer power generated: The data center may need to generate around 400 megawatts to provide the 250 megawatts of compute power it promises. The city’s proposed code amendments outline a power cap of 500 megawatts. For comparison, the controversial Stratos project in Box Elder County was originally expected to use 9,000 megawatts once fully built.
Chavez’s company provided information about water use, noise, air quality impact and heat produced — “all within allowable, non-intrusive ranges,” he said.
“I don’t think that we have said or tried to say that everything about it is perfect, but we do think compared to other data centers, what we’re doing is innovative and is a solution to this national challenge around growth of data center infrastructure and,” Chavez said, “finding a way to do it better.”
Still, many who spoke out Tuesday evening said they wanted to see more outside data to support Volition’s claim and the city to enact more guardrails on how the center would operate.
“While I believe Volition are seemingly earnest in their desire to improve how data centers could operate, ultimately their model is conceptual and untested in full,” one woman said.
Another equated the zoning changes to a “Pandora’s box” that could allow for more data centers in the future.
“So even if we completely trust Volition, we have to completely trust the next guy,” he said. “I just don’t think that is a Pandora’s box that is worth opening here tonight or in the future for Spanish Fork.”
Read our AI policyBut not everyone remained skeptical. One resident said when he first heard the proposal he was “horrified” and “concerned.”
“After looking carefully at the proposed facility and going to the public hearings, I’ve really swung almost 180 degrees in my overall assessment,” he said.
While he remained worried about environmental impacts, and advocated for an assessment to be done, he also took a realist approach: “Unless Spanish Fork can pony up and buy this, which I don’t see happening, something’s going to happen to it, something industrial.”
He said this facility was worth “carefully embarking” on, versus another option, such as a distribution center.
What’s next? The City Council will revisit the issue at its next meeting at 6 p.m. on Sept. 1. Meetings are broadcast at youtube.com/@spanishfork_city. You can share feedback with council members by emailing [email protected].
SPANISH FORK — Volition is moving its proposed Spanish Fork data center to a different location after months of concerns from residents who live near the project's original site.The company now plans to develop the data center in the 440,000-square-foot Stockman Flats building just off state Route 77 in western Spanish Fork, Volition CEO Jeff Chavez said. The project was originally proposed for the Canyon Logistics property, where nearby residents raised concerns about potential noise, water use and the proxim...
SPANISH FORK — Volition is moving its proposed Spanish Fork data center to a different location after months of concerns from residents who live near the project's original site.
The company now plans to develop the data center in the 440,000-square-foot Stockman Flats building just off state Route 77 in western Spanish Fork, Volition CEO Jeff Chavez said. The project was originally proposed for the Canyon Logistics property, where nearby residents raised concerns about potential noise, water use and the proximity of the facility to homes.
Chavez said the company believed it could address those concerns through the project's design but decided to look for another location.
"Even though we can answer their questions technically, internally we still were trying to find a way or a path that might make Spanish Fork feel even better," Chavez said.
The decision comes after the Spanish Fork City Council earlier this week approved a Title 15 amendment that created a path for Volition's proposal to move through the city's development process. Chavez said the timing gave the company an opportunity to reconsider the location.
"If there was time for us to make a shift right now, is that the last window for us to do this?" Chavez said. "And so, while it creates a few challenges, long term for us and for the city, this is better."
Residents who had pushed back against the original proposal said they were surprised by the change.
"It's very hard to process two months of adrenaline and overdrive in five minutes and feel like, I guess we're fine. But I guess we're fine," said Teresa Wood, a Spanish Fork resident who lives near the original site.
Wood said her concerns were not about data centers themselves, but about placing this particular facility close to homes. "I understand the technology already existed, but I'm not aware of anywhere that it's been put together in this way, this close to residents before," she said.
Chavez said Volition's approach has been to identify industrial areas away from residential neighborhoods.
"We identify industrial areas that are not near homes, even though we know that our data center is phenomenal. We still don't need to, you know, plop down right near homes," Chavez said.
The city of Spanish Fork said it supports Volition's right to determine which location works best for the company. Any future proposal would still have to meet city requirements, said Jack Urquhart, communications manager for Spanish Fork City.
Wood said the new location changes her view of the project. "I don't mind data centers at all. And in another location, now we're talking," she said.
Volition has previously said its data center is designed to limit water and electricity use and minimize sound impacts. The company says the project itself has not changed, other than the location.
Volition expects construction and development of the data center to take place from late 2027 into early 2029.
The new site will still have to go through the applicable city development and approval processes before the project can move forward.
The Key Takeaways for this article were generated with the assistance of large language models and reviewed by our editorial team. The article, itself, is solely human-written.
Posted 7:55 PM, Aug 18, 2026SPANISH FORK, Utah — City leaders in Spanish Fork weighed the possibility of a new data center being constructed there amid growing pushback from concerned locals. The project is slated for the mouth of Spanish Fork Canyon.Local residents packed the room for Tuesday night's city council meeting, in which a public hearing over the data center went on for five hours and featured dozens of public commenters.The city council ultimately decided to table their resolution to amend their ordina...
Posted 7:55 PM, Aug 18, 2026
SPANISH FORK, Utah — City leaders in Spanish Fork weighed the possibility of a new data center being constructed there amid growing pushback from concerned locals. The project is slated for the mouth of Spanish Fork Canyon.
Local residents packed the room for Tuesday night's city council meeting, in which a public hearing over the data center went on for five hours and featured dozens of public commenters.
The city council ultimately decided to table their resolution to amend their ordinance that would allow for data centers to generate their own power. The topic is expected to be brought up again at their next council meeting on Sept. 1.
Volition CEO Jeff Chavez says his Provo-based company is trying to be the solution to problems they see within their own industry.
“Many years of extremely inefficient, wasteful, loud data center development,” Chavez said.
So months ago, they approached the city of Spanish Fork with that alternative.
“They said, ‘data centers require a lot of power — we would propose generating our own,’” said Jack Urquhart, who serves as the public information officer for the city of Spanish Fork.
Chavez says their project would take nothing from the grid, generate about 250 megawatts of power and utilize an existing distribution center that’s about 28 acres in size.
He also says their closed-loop cooling system would only need about two Utah households' worth of water to fill.
“You don’t need to come into a community and attempt to buy up something so large that it is a dramatic drain on our resources,” said Chavez.
He hopes their offering can be a response to others like the hyper-scale Stratos project in Box Elder County. But many locals aren’t sold on the idea.
“Even if you say we need data centers, we don’t need them in our backyard,” said Teresa Pierce, who lives near the old Fingerhut distribution center. “We need dumps, too, but I don’t want a dump in our backyard.”
Homeowners like Pierce have reached out to FOX 13 News with worries about the impacts of noise, emissions and more on their properties.
“It’s concerning, if not just for the fact that you keep seeing this pattern where the people don’t want it, but they’re given it anyway,” Pierce said.
Chavez hopes they can show how their project may stand apart from other data centers.
“We are trying to take an approach that is empathetic to the fact that people are not going to see things different very quickly,” Chavez said. “We have to earn trust.”
Pierce says that could be earned for her by proving their capability in a different location.
Tuesday night’s meeting began at 6 p.m. and could be seen here on the city’s YouTube page.
The Salem Hills-Spanish Fork prep football game Friday night delivered plenty of drama for the fans that packed both sets of bleachers between these schools that aren’t even five miles apart.With 37 seconds remaining, Spanish Fork clung on to 33-28 lead as Salem Hills drove the ball down to the Don 5-yard line. The Skyhawks faced a fourth down and quarterback Cash Hollingshead dropped back to pass looking for a receiver going across the middle of the end zone.But the pass was deflected at the line of scrimmage, popping up...
The Salem Hills-Spanish Fork prep football game Friday night delivered plenty of drama for the fans that packed both sets of bleachers between these schools that aren’t even five miles apart.
With 37 seconds remaining, Spanish Fork clung on to 33-28 lead as Salem Hills drove the ball down to the Don 5-yard line. The Skyhawks faced a fourth down and quarterback Cash Hollingshead dropped back to pass looking for a receiver going across the middle of the end zone.
But the pass was deflected at the line of scrimmage, popping up in the air. This allowed Spanish Fork’s Caleb Grant to intercept the pass and he brought it out to the 1-yard line. All this meant was that Spanish Fork needed to run one play without turning the ball over or giving up a safety, which the Dons managed to do. This sent a bevy of Spanish Fork players down to ring the victory bell as the Dons won their first game of the 2026 season and their home opener.
“I think Tayvin (Maldonado) deflected it and Caleb (Grant) picked it off,” said linebacker Lawson Shepherd.
In regards to the final defensive stand, the Don senior felt the difference was the defense returning to some elements that worked previously in the contest.
“We went back to what was working for us earlier in the game,” Shepherd said. “The bigs up front got pressure on the quarterback and the back end played great.”
The Don defense has given up some points this season, including 64 to Snow Canyon in its 64-62 triple overtime loss (allowing 42 in regulation). But at key times Friday night, Spanish Fork showed its mettle and the ability to make things happen including Maldonado scoring on a 45-yard pick-six that helped stake Spanish Fork to a 20-14 lead at halftime.
On the offensive side of the ball, James Buck was the Don star as he ran for 145 yards on 19 carries and scored four of the five Spanish Fork touchdowns including two longer scoring romps of 35 and 23 yards respectively. And freshman quarterback Hawkin Rasmussen put forward a solid effort passing for 145 yards as Kohen Frost hauled in four receptions for 83 yards.
Coming out of the second half Salem Hills had possession and took its first lead of the game 21-20 when Peyton Higginson hauled in a 14-yard pass from Hollingshead and Jack Taylor nailed the extra point.
Spanish Fork responded with Buck’s third touchdown run of the game from five yards out to push out in front again 27-21. All of this set up a final stanza with plenty of twists and turns.
Salem Hills regained the lead when Hollingshead scored on a 10-yard scamper. Nelson split the uprights for the fourth time to give the Skyhawks a 28-27 lead with 9:25 left in the fourth quarter.
Spanish Fork bounced back with Buck leading the charge. The Dons did have a critical fourth down conversion when Rasmussen was able to avoid a slack and scramble for a first down. Buck took it across the goal line for a fourth time sprinting up the middle on a 23-yard scamper with 5:58 to play in regulation to put the Dons back in front 33-28. At this point the Dons went for a two-point conversion and failed, meaning that a Skyhawk touchdown would put them out in front with no extra point needed.
The Don defense then held, forcing Salem Hills to punt. But the Dons put the pigskin on the ground and the Skyhawks’ Jaxon Grant came out of the scrum with the ball giving Salem Hills its final chance to score starting from its own 48-yard line with 3:43 left to play.
The Don defense appeared to stiffen but a pass interference call on a fourth down gave Salem Hills new life and they were able to drive it down to the 5-yard line before Spanish Fork’s defense held for good, preserving the Don victory.
Spanish Fork head coach Brock Condie knew that this game was going to be a battle that went to the very end.
“We knew what kind of team they were. They’re a great team, well coached. We knew it was going to be a tough game,” Condie said.
The Spanish Fork head coach was also proud of the resilience his team has shown, even in defeat in its opening game versus Snow Canyon and how those attributes revealed itself in the contest against Salem Hills.
“Even though we came up short (the week previous), I was just proud of how our boys never gave up,” said Condie. “They’re fighters and playing inspired, giving it their best and giving it their all.”
In defeat, Salem Hills put up a valiant effort and had some big-time performances as well.
Hollingshead was 26-for-37 for 307 yards with three touchdowns against two interceptions. He also ran for one score. Peyton Higginson shined on both sides of the ball with five catches for 58 yards including that touchdown reception of 14 yards that gave the Skyhawks a brief lead. He also secured an interception with a 40-yard return that set up a Skyhawk score in the second quarter. LJ McBride was the recipient of two touchdown passes including a 42-yarder in the opening quarter that electrified the faithful.
Spanish Fork (1-1) will host Sky View (1-1) next week while Salem Hills (1-1) will also play at home against undefeated Desert Hills (2-0).
Scoring summary
SH 7 7 7 7 -28
SF 7 13 7 6 -33
SF-James Buck 1 run (Preston Jones kick)
SH-LJ McBride 42 pass from Cash Hollingshead (Jack Nelson kick)
SF-Buck 35 run (kick failed)
SF-Tayvin Maldonado 45 interception return (Jones kick)
SH-McBride 2 pass from Hollingshead (Nelson kick)
SH-Peyton Higginson 14 pass from Hollingshead (Nelson kick)
SF-Buck 5 run (Jones kick)
SH-Hollingshead 10 run (Nelson kick)
SF-Buck 24 run (pass failed)
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