“Certainly the kids know the importance of the game and the implications of it,’’ said Abington coach Jim Kelliher, who has seen his share of big games in 39 years at the helm. “But you don’t want to make it bigger than it really is, because then you start getting out of your game.’’

The last time these rivals played a game of this magnitude, it was two years ago. Cohasset won, but was unable to take care of business later in the season and Abington won the third of four straight league titles. It was the Green Wave’s last loss in league play.

Abington (8-0, 4-0) will make it five straight league titles with a win and a Mashpee loss to Carver. If Abington and Mashpee both win, then they will decide the champion when they meet next weekend. Cohasset (7-0, 3-0) needs a win tonight and one more against Norwell or Hull to win the league.

“They don’t make mistakes that hurt themselves and they have that experience of playing big games,’’ said Cohasset’s fourth-year coach, Peter Afanasiw.

On paper, the teams seem to be mirror images. Both average more than 26 points per game, and both allow fewer than 11. Another similarity is that both coaches agree the key to the game will be which team can best limit the other’s go-to guy.

Abington’s Kristian LaPointe (98 points) and Cohasset’s Dana Valentine (93) rank third and fourth in scoring in Division 3A. LaPointe, a running back, has kicked 18 extra points. Valentine averages 177 yards per game on the ground.

Still, “it’s going to take a complete team effort,’’ said Afanasiw. “I definitely think it will be a battle of the defenses, while field position and special teams will be paramount.’’

Tomorrow in the Commonwealth Large, undefeated Whittier (8-0, 2-0) travels to defending Division 4 Super Bowl champion Manchester Essex (7-1, 3-0). Whittier has two league games left but the Hornets can clinch a return trip to the playoffs with a victory . . . In Bay State League action tomorrow, Ryan Izzo will attempt to pull closer to the state scoring record when No. 4 Walpole visits No. 18 Needham . . . Catholic Conference rivals clash tonight as No. 15 BC High (4-3, 1-0) attempts to keep its playoff hopes alive when it hosts No. 1 Xaverian (8-0, 1-0) . . . The South Coast Conference race heats up tonight with Fairhaven (6-2, 5-1) traveling to Dighton-Rehoboth (6-2, 5-0) . . . Because of tomorrow’s SAT, the ISL will play today. Among the top games is 5-1 Belmont Hill visiting 6-0 Lawrence Academy . . . No. 12 Mansfield has moved its game with North Attleboro to tomorrow (4:30 p.m.) because of today’s funeral for Marine Captain Kyle Van De Giesen, a former Globe All-Scholastic for North Attleboro’s 1997 football team, who died in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan last month.