Journal & Courier Boys Soccer Player of the Year: Harrison's Joey Scheumann

WEST LAFAYETTE − The offseason conditioning workouts are designed so come the first official practice, Harrison's boys soccer team is already in shape.

Except Raiders coach Bryan Clouse noticed something when the first summer conditioning drills were underway.

Joey Scheumann was ahead of schedule.

"This year really set him apart," Clouse said. "He made that a point from day one. When I say day one, I am not talking about August. I am talking about June. The very first preseason workout we came to, we were doing conditioning and his last sprint was as good as his first."

That was only a precursor to a season where Scheumann helped lead Harrison to a sectional championship as a senior, earning him Journal & Courier boys soccer Player of the Year honors.

More: Meet the 2023 Journal & Courier all-area boys soccer team

"This year I came in with a completely different mentality, how I was going to carry myself," Scheumann said. "I was confident in whatever I did. I thought I could play with anybody in the state."

It showed.

The formidable frontline attack of Scheumann and Alex Michel matched up against the best teams on a loaded schedule.

Scheumann found the back of the net against Carmel, Fishers and Hamilton Southeastern, three of the top teams in Class 3A boys soccer this season.

He matched Michel with a team-leading 18 goals and Scheumann was second behind only Ivan Gutierrez on the Raiders with 12 assists.

"Everybody called Alex Michel Batman," Clouse said. "Please don't ever refer to Joey Scheumann as a type of Robin. He's like Superman."

Scheumann never took a back seat to anyone.

He was in fourth grade when the family moved to Tippecanoe County.

More: Journal & Courier Girls Soccer Player of the Year: West Lafayette's Anna Lasater

Jackson Scheumann was in sixth grade and attended one of Clouse's camps. Naturally, the younger brother eventually wanted to tag along.

Everything became a competition back then for the Scheumann brothers. Basketball. Baseball. And, of course, soccer.

All of it was a battle for bragging rights until they later became high school teammates. Now, with Jackson now playing soccer for the University of Indianapolis, Joey Scheumann leans on his older brother for guidance, including an offseason training partner.

Jackson Scheumann was with his younger brother every step of the way between Joey's junior and senior seasons at Harrison, doing the same workouts and offering knowledge he's gained from training with a college program.

"During the offseason, he was a huge help," Joey Scheumann said.

Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @samueltking.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Harrison's Scheumann tabbed as Player of Year for boys soccer