Edward Little and Lewiston have played so many big games against each other that the “Game of the Century” tag has been rolled out on several occasions. It’s been two years since the most recent edition, the 2002 Pine Tree Conference championship game.

The 160th meeting between the Red Eddies and Blue Devils, set for 1 p.m. today at Don Roux Field, will never earn such a prestigious moniker, mainly because both teams are 1-6. Yet players and fans on both sides know that you don’t need such hyperbole any time one school crosses the Androscoggin to face the other.

“Both teams know this is probably the last game of the season and how they’re seasons are going to be remembered is going to come down to that last ballgame,” said Lewiston coach Bill County, whose team won last year’s game, 19-7.

The rivalry, which Lewiston leads 83-64 (with 12 ties) has been enhanced this year with an alumni football game (which EL won), a parade and other pregame festivities. But what happens on the field will determine who has the bragging rights and the upper-hand, at least until next year.

A win for either team would go along way toward blotting out some of the frustration each has faced this season. Both teams have come painfully close to scoring big wins, only to have a bad break here or there keep them out of the win column . Both teams have also been equally guilty of shooting themselves in the foot at key junctures.

“It’s been kind of a frustrating year, but I can’t say enough about the kids, the way they’ve hung tough and played together every week,” said EL coach Jim Hersom, whose team picked up its win in Week 2 against Sanford.. “In all of my years of coaching, I can’t think of a team that’s been as resilient as this one.”

Hersom would be pretty impressed with Lewiston’s resiliency, too. The Devils started the season 0-6, then dominated Mt. Ararat last week in a 37-7 victory.

“I think it helped us a lot,” said County. “You just need that positive adrenaline, that moment of pride to put you over the top a little bit.”

Whether the Devils can carry the momentum over to a rare Saturday afternoon home game remains to be seen.

“I really think the game is going to be won up front and defense is going to be a key,” Hersom said.

Both defenses will be challenged because both teams are equipped to exploit each other’s weaknesses. The Blue Devils are capable of moving the ball on the ground with Jared Turcotte and George Foisy, and EL has struggled stopping the run. But County is concerned the Eddies might be geared up to go for his team’s Achilles heel.

“The last couple of weeks, we’ve seen Edward Little throw a lot and that’s what’s given us a lot of problems this season,” he said.

EL collected 147 passing yards in last week’s 20-7 loss to Windham. QB Steve Simpson’s favorite targets include running backs Robie Leighton and Garner Lavalley. Both are capable of catching passes out of the backfield and breaking big plays.

A parade honoring the rivalry and the men and women of the armed services will precede the game, stepping off with the EL contingent at 10 a.m. on Court St. They’ll march across Longley Bridge, where they’ll be joined by the Lewiston marchers, then up Main St. to Sabattus St., Webster St. and East Ave. before concluding at Lewiston High School. Sen. Olympia Snowe and Captain Mchael Mitchell of the Maine Army National Guard are the grand marshals.

Pregame festivities at Don Roux Field will begin at 12:30 p.m.