Muskingum Valley League Small (MVL) – Conference Preview
By: Andrew Rowan
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New Lexington Panthers:
After their second straight year as MVL-Small champions, plus a playoff run that took them to the Group IV Regional Finals, the New Lexington Panthers come into this season looking to build on that success. The Panthers’ offense, however, looks to have pulled a complete 180.
New Lexington was a predominantly run-first offense last season, relying heavily on senior Paul Stenson, leading a group that produced nearly 3,000 rushing yards in the regular season (2,925). With Stenson graduating in May, head coach Kevin Board looks to air the ball out more than in previous years, with his main target being Tyson Spicer. Spicer has already proven himself to be the Panthers’ main offensive weapon, as he led the team with 12 touchdowns and racked up over 700 receiving yards (752).
Regarding the quarterback room, coach Board will continue to give the reins of the offense to rising senior Lane Ratliff, who, despite playing in such a run-heavy scheme, threw 13 touchdown passes. To protect his blindside, New Lexington welcomes back ALL-GG team tackle Eli Stephens, who was the driving force behind an offensive line unit that anchored last season’s ground game.
So, despite the scheme switchup, with weapons like these, the Panthers look to hold on to their spot as leaders in the division.
Morgan Raiders:
The 2025 Morgan Raiders squad was one to remember for the residents of McConnelsville, posting their best record in recent memory with a 7-3 regular-season finish and earning a playoff appearance. They hit the road to face the Coal Grove Hornets, winning 43-22. That postseason run didn’t last, however, as they would lose the next week to the eventual regional 19 champions, the Wheelersburg Pirates.
Regarding this upcoming season, following the Muskingum Valley League’s conference realignment, Morgan and the Maysville Panthers have switched conferences, with the Raiders now joining the MVL-Small. Despite the change, Morgan still looks to build even further upon last year’s success, with their first chance to prove that on the 21st against the Marietta Tigers at home.
Crooksville Ceramics:
Despite not making the playoffs last season, the Crooksville Ceramics had a very respectable regular season, finishing 5-5. The Ceramics started last year with a four-game winning streak, scoring 21 or more points in those matchups. Most of those scores were driven by their signal-caller, Brayson Hill, who flourished as a runner, rushing for over 300 yards in their fourth game against Meadowbrook.
Hill has proven himself to be a running threat; the question is how head coach Marcus Pardon plans to build on his team’s passing game. There is one thing for certain, however, that in his short time in Crooksville, the boys have bought into the culture Pardon wanted to establish. The Ceramics are certainly a team you can’t write off early, looking to be not only a team that can win their division, but also a playoff-caliber team as well, where their first test of the year will be on the road as they will face off against Newcomerstown.
Meadowbrook Colts:
For the past three years, the Meadowbrook Colts have faced the same outlook, finishing the regular season 4-6. Despite that, their 2025 campaign did include some highlights worth mentioning.
The Colts’ offense was productive, led by quarterback Michael Ray, who threw 15 touchdown passes. Ray was also accompanied by running back Aidan Farrell, being second on the team for total touchdowns with six. Farrell was not only a scoring threat but also made a name for himself on the defensive side of the ball, being the team’s ballhawk, racking up 5 interceptions, which led the team.
Meadowbrook will also welcome a new head coach, Coular Clendenning, who will have a solid group to work with. The first showing of what the Clendenning era can bring to the table will be Friday the 21st, against a formidable opponent in the Tri-Valley Scotties.
Coshocton Redskins:
The Coshocton Redskins had a lackluster 2025 regular season, finishing 2-8 and at the bottom of the MVL-Small after failing to beat an in-conference opponent. While the offense’s production was something left to be desired, the Redskin defense showed a spark of hope in part to junior linebacker Champ Haley, who led the team in every defensive category.
Coshocton’s schedule for this season starts with three straight non-conference games, with its first conference opponent not until week four against Meadowbrook, then playing New Lexington and Maysville the following two weeks. Despite their schedule appearing stacked against them, with Haley returning, it’s possible to see an upset or two for in-conference opponents facing that defensive unit.
West Muskingum Tornadoes:
The West Muskingum Tornadoes found themselves in the middle of the MVL-Small standings last season, finishing third in the conference with a record of 5-5 and 3-2. While they were able to pick up solid wins against conference opponents, such as their week seven victory over Crooksville, they struggled against the MVL-Small’s top dogs, New Lexington and Maysville.
Mind you, that was a team only a year removed from making it to the Division V regional semifinals back in 2024. So, to sum up, the Tornadoes can throw their hat into the ring with just about anyone, but how the season turns out for them comes down to their consistency: will they be able to win the matchups that matter when a playoff spot is on the line?