A clash of unbeatens

East Boston and South Shore are no strangers to the playoffs, and that ups the ante for Tuesday's 4:15 game at Arlington, as two senior-heavy teams battle for a chance to reclaim the Super Bowl trophy that each has clutched in the past two years.

Both teams come in 10-0, but this game has little to do with the past. The playoffs are an entity unto themselves.

''We've got a one-game series," said East Boston coach John Sousa as he addressed his team during a Friday morning meeting before practice. ''One game, you either win or you're out, you're season's over.

''You can't come out not ready to play four quarters of football and expect to get away with it."

Both teams have impressive defenses, having given up fewer than 100 points. Eastie's D'Shaun Dawn, Todd Stuckey, and James Grant will be locking horns with the Vikings' Tim Langley, Brian McCormack, and Allan Burns in the trenches, a battle of might and wit. The defensive and offensive lines are solid for each team, and skill position players and ball control will be vital.

Eastie running backs Kevin Gilmore (91 points) and Anthony Malerba will be taking the handoffs. Receiver Tyrone Hughes (five TDs, six 2-point conversions) has stepped up tremendously in his first varsity season, blowing past defensive backs to collect long passes from first-year starting quarterback Chris Etheridge.

''Their team speed will be the best that we've had to defend all year," said South Shore coach Derek Mariani. ''We have to be disciplined and play our positions."

South Shore has a toolshed full of talent on offense. Joe Carey and Matt Doyle have busted up their fair share of tackles this year, and quarterback Mark Reale and running back Sean Rockwood will showcase more of the team's nifty footwork, testing the Jets' ability to defend multiple attacks.

''They're a veteran team," said Sousa. ''They went undefeated in the strong Mayflower League that has good competition and is well-coached. They're capable of running the ball and they're capable of throwing and they have some good athletes, so they're going to be tough to defend."