CRESAPTOWN — Calvary’s Sammy Scritchfield was the area’s most prolific goal scorer, and he showed it against the best competition locally too.
The junior striker rewrote the Eagles’ record book with an area-best 55 goals, which included a hat trick against Mountain Ridge and two scores versus area champion Allegany.
Scritchfield added a team-high 13 assists for an area-high 123 points, and he was rewarded for his efforts with the Dr. Raul Felipa Offensive Player of the Year by the area’s head coaches.
“Junior forward Sammy Scritchfield continues to be one of the most dominant offensive players in the region,” Calvary head coach David Ziler said. “His exceptional speed, tight ball control and powerful ball-striking make him a constant challenge for opposing defenses.”
The boys soccer awards were chosen at a meeting of the area’s coaches following the season.
Four have been announced so far this week.
Allegany’s Jack Hensel won the Joe Rowan Defensive Player of the Year, the Campers’ Eoin Mowbray was the Dave Searles Goalkeeper of the Year, and Fort Hill’s Zack Steckman was named Coach of the Year.
The Ebbie Finzel Memorial Player of the Year will be revealed on Monday, and the All-Area team will be in Wednesday’s edition.
The award winners, with the exception of Coach of the Year, will receive their awards at the 77th Dick Sterne Memorial Dapper Dan Sports Banquet at a date/time to be announced.
Scritchfield’s 55 goals broke the previous school record of 48 held by Ryan Chaney.
Through his junior year, Scritchfield has 111 career goals and 39 assists for 261 points.
“Sammy’s presence alone forces opposing teams to adjust their formations and defensive plans, often drawing multiple defenders and opening opportunities for his teammates,” Ziler said.
“Whether he’s breaking away on a sprint or finishing from inside the box, Sammy’s ability to change the course of a game in seconds makes him one of the most electrifying players to watch this season.”
Scritchfield’s individual success came with team success too. The Eagles finished 20-4-1 and were runner-ups in the National Christian School Athletic Association Tournament.
The Eagles also recorded a 4-3 upset of Mountain Ridge in the teams’ first-ever meeting in Frostburg.
Scritchfield won the award over Allegany’s Chris Manherz and Noah Simmons and Frankfort’s Liam Orndorff.
Scritchfield is the third Eagle to win Offensive Player of the Year, joining Austin Heavner (2011) and Chaney (2004).
His brother, Isaac, was the 2021 Ebbie Finzel Player of the Year. Calvary’s Will Speis won back-to-back POY honors in 2018-19, and Chaney won in 2005.