Public Ledger, Philadelphia
October 19, 1902

Athletics Win the First Match for the Local Championship

Before a crowd that numbered close to 6000 people, the professional foot-ball season was inaugurated yesterday at Broad and Huntingdon streets with a game between the Athletics, managed by "Connie" Mack, and the "Phillies", managed by William J. Shettsline, which the former won by a score of 6 to 0.

The teams were captained by Wallace and Kennedy, two ex-University of Pennsylvania stars, and the make-up of the elevens comprised many of the noted stars of the college gridiron.

The Athletics won, but only after a most desperate struggle, and the touchdown secured by Davidson in the second half was more in the nature of a fluke, as had the ball not been fumbled on the fourth down by the "Phillies", which enabled Davidson to fall on the ball back of the goal posts, little chance for a score would have presented itself.

At 3.10 o'clock Captain Kennedy won the toss and chose the south goal. The ball was kicked off to the Athletic's 5 yard line, and was carried back to the 25 yard line. The Athletic[s] weer [sic] forced to punt. The "Phillies" soon lost the ball on a fumble, and the Athletics began gaining a few yards at a time by fierce line bucking. On the 28 yard line Wallace fumbled and the "Phillies" got the ball, but after small gains lost the ball on an offside play. Reiter then tried a field goal from the 40 yard line, but made a bad miss, the ball going out of bounds. Wallace here took the ball and ran beyond the 5 yard line, but the ball was brought back to the 20 yard line and given to the "Phillies." Washburn then got the ball and made a great run around the left end for 45 yards before he was downed. The "Phillies" then made consecutive gains and it looked as if they would score, but a fumble and offside play spoiled their chances. Peirce was badly injured in a scrimmage and sent to Good Samaritan Hospital. Thomasson taking his place upon the resumption of play. Roller tried a goal from the field and missed. A punt to midfield ended the second [sic] half. Score: Athletics, 0; Philadelphia, 0.

Reiter kicked os [sic] in the second half to the 10 yard line to Roller, who carried the ball back to the 20 yard line. Roller then gained two yards, but Scholl was thrown for a loss. Roller then punted to midfield, and Gelbert fouled the ball and the Athletics got the ball on offside play.

Reiter then gained seven yards, Davidson two yards., Baeder five yards and Kingdon three yards. The Athletics tried a quarter-back kick, but gained nothing, and a moment later lost the ball on downs. Roller made three yards, but the "Phillies" also lost the ball on downs on the 28 yard line. Davidson hurdled the line for four yards, and made another four yards on mass play. Kingdon was then given the ball and gained three yards. Wallace made a fumble, but regained the ball, and Reiter went around the end for twenty-five yards, being downed on the "Phillies" 5 yard line. Davidson and Kingdon each gained a yard, and on a fumble the ball was shot back of the goal posts, Davidson falling on it for a touchdown and immediately kicked the goal. Score: Athletics: 6; "Phillies": 0.

From then until the end of the game the ball was kept in mid-field.

The line-up: