EAST PROVIDENCE — A gritty East Providence High School football team hung in with five-time reigning state champion Hendricken for most of the evening before succumbing by a 20-6 score in the Division I regular season opener for both sides played Friday, Sept. 18, in city at Pierce Stadium.

The Hawks never trailed after junior quarterback Chris Hindle kept the ball for a three-yard score late in the first quarter. The touchdown was set up by a long punt return from junior Matt DiTondo, who wove his way through the Townies' cover team for 79 yards.

Hendricken actually had two other quality chances to score in the opening 24 minutes, but settled for just the 7-0 lead at intermission. A high snap out of the shotgun formation took the Hawks out of the red zone and they eventually punted. A potential 80 yard pitch and catch for a touchdown from a scrambling Hindle to wide out Trevor Lawton was nullified by an illegal Hendricken lineman down field penalty.

Despite that one hiccup on special teams and the called-back TD, the East Providence defense more than held its own against the vaunted Hawks for much of the night.

E.P. did make things a bit interesting in the third quarter when Tommy Lopes scampered 30 yards to complete a touchdown pass from back-up QB Riley Cronin.

Hendricken, however, eventually wore the Townies down, scoring the two second-half touchdowns. Hindle threw for a 35-yard score and DiTondo raced for a 70-yard TD.

The Townies are back in action next Friday night, Sept. 25, when they host Cumberland at Pierce Stadium. Kick off is 7 o'clock.