While the game was officially the first MVL game, the MVLs origins trace back to a league called the Big Five, which was formed in 1930 and was made up of Crooksville, Glouster, McConnelsville (Morgan), New Concord (John Glenn) and New Lexington. In 1933 the Big Five became the Big Six with the addition of Caldwell, and finally in 1938, the name was changed to the Muskingum Valley League when Philo entered.
An article from the 1938 Zanesville Times Recorder previews the game:
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Philo High Grid Team Plays Today At New Lexington New Lexington, O. Sept. 14 - This city will be all agog Thursday with the opening of the football season, for a strong eleven is expected to be turned out by the local high school under the sole guidance of Coach Pearl Reichley. For the initial game of the season, the local Panthers will entertain Philo, a newcomer in the old Big Six league which is to be known in the future as the Muskingum valley league. Although Philo has been playing football for only one season, the school's supremacy on the basketball court indicates it's athletic prowess and the locals may find the going tough in the opener. With local business suspended on account of the Thursday afternoon holiday, the whole town will literally become football mined, and from 3:30, the starting time of the game, all eyes will be focused on the high school stadium which is expected to hold one of the largest crowds as bleachers have been installed adding greatly to the comfort of fans. The high school band, under the direction of Allen Conn, will be on hand to enliven the crowed and thrill with its new marching formations. The public address system will again be used. Probably starting line up for the locals announced by Coach Reichley follows: Jay T. Fealty, left end; Roland Solt, left tackle; Richard Wright, left guard; Daniel Brattoli, center; Eugene Sherrick right guard; Ned Harris, right tackle; Ralph Davis, right end; Andrew Lollo, left half; Warrn Berry, quarterback; Charles Triona, fullback. Other probable starters are Ralph Hubble, John Smith and Sherman Wolfe. The team boasts 34 formidable players, the other members of the squad being: Robert Bennett, Frank Brannon, Robert Carney, Bill Covan, David Ellis, William Hill, William Hitchcock, James Koenig, Jack Lennon, Frank D. Matthews, Fred Money, John R. Murphy, Robert McCammon, Jack McGonagle, Harold Pace, Dick Scheffler, Roy Self, Neil Sycks, Dick Williams, and Thomas Wolfe. Officials for the game will be Referee, Elmer Reger, Columbus Central; Umpire, Claude Chrisman, Logan; Head linesman, N.J. Clark, Junction City coach. -Zanesville Times Recorder: September 15, 1938 pg. 7
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Recaps for this game are also available courtesy of the Times Recorder and the Zanesville Signal:
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Philo Trounces New Lex High In Season Lid Lifter NEW LEXINGTON, O, Sept. 15 - Philo high's Electrics scored twice in the first quarter and then played good defensive ball to defeat New Lexington, 13 to 0, here today in the season's first school football game. The contest was also a Muskingum Valley League engagement. Midway in the first period, Dave Fitz took a lateral pass and ran 20 yards for Philo's first score. A place kick for the extra point was wide. As the period drew to an end, Hughes pulled in a pass and carried the ball over from midfield. Another pass, Hommon to Hughes, added the extra point. New Lexington threatened in the second quarter but was stopped short of a touchdown. The Panthers' defense also stiffened and the remainder of the game was played in mid-field. -Zanesville Times Recorder: September 16, 1938 pg. 16
| Philo Victorious in Grid Opener Two Passes in the first quarter resulted in touchdowns and brought the Philo high school football team a 13-0 victory over New Lexington Thursday evening in the opening encounter of the Muskingum Valley league at New Lexington. Fitz snared a lateral and raced 20 yards for the first tally while Hughs took the second pass in midfield and crossed the line for another score. -Zanesville Signal: September 16, 1938 pg. 10
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Philo would go on to win a co-share of the MVL Championship that season. This win over New Lexington proved an important one as the final three weeks of the season saw a deadlocked three way race between Philo, New Concord & New Lexington. New Lexington lost their final game to Crooksville 13-0, giving the Little Muskies & the Electrics, who were both idle in the final week, the MVL title.
| 1938 Final MVL Standings | |||||
| TEAM | W | L | T | PF | PA |
| New Concord | 5 | 1 | 0 | 159 | 47 |
| Philo | 5 | 1 | 0 | 106 | 48 |
| New Lexington | 4 | 2 | 0 | 36 | 33 |
| Caldwell | 3 | 3 | 0 | 58 | 52 |
| Crooksville | 2 | 3 | 1 | 38 | 79 |
| McConnelsville | 1 | 4 | 1 | 41 | 97 |
| Glouster | 0 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 89 |