There will be no introductions needed tomorrow at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Rockland.
It’s the Green Wave of Abington vs. the Bulldogs of Rockland. Green vs. Blue. The Border War. And they’re playing for the fourth time in 13 months.
“Everybody knows the history,” said Green Wave Assistant Coach Ed Reilly. “There’s not much we have to say to the kids about being fired up. We more have to worry about what we need to do to execute our gameplan.”
Rockland has won the last three matchups between the teams: 17-7 in October 2021, 23-13 in last year’s Division 6 Super Bowl, and 34-7 this past October. This time it’s in the quarterfinals of the Division 6 MIAA state tournament. Kickoff has been moved up to 6 p.m.
Reilly said the key has been getting the Green Wave squad, which has had an inconsistent year, to play with improved focus.
“We want every player to concentrate on his job this Friday night,” he said. “It’s going to be a big crowd, a lot of excitement, they really need to focus on doing their jobs.”
Despite the new state tournament format that eliminated the sectional brackets, Abington’s first two opponents this year have been very familiar. Last week, the Green Wave (4-4) dispatched league rival East Bridgewater. This week it’s Rockland (6-2), another league foe.
Reilly said at this point there are no surprises between the teams.
“We do know each other really well. We know their players and they know ours,” he said. “At this point in the season you are who you are. It’s a matter of who makes some plays and who makes the fewest mistakes.”
Tickets for tomorrow night’s game must be purchased online ahead of time.