EAST PROVIDENCE — Returning to its former stomping grounds at Pierce Memorial Stadium due to an issue with the complex on the high school grounds, East Providence routed visiting Pilgrim of Warwick, 47-0, in the  2022 season non-league opener for both sides Friday night, Sept. 9.

Yusef Abdullah accounted for three of the touchdowns for the host Townies, including an interception return on defense for a 99-yard score.

Trey Rezendes added a huge play on special teams for the locals with a 51-yard punt return for a TD on his way to a two-score night.

East Providence played at Pierce instead of Townie Stadium after a sink hole formed around one of the light posts just behind the west stands there two weeks ago following a break in a drainage pipe.

Though the stadium remained safe and operational, the large crowd expected for the season opening football contest led district officials to change the location out of an abundance of caution.

EPHS is scheduled to open its 2022 Division II regular season league slate on Thursday night, Sept. 15, against at home against St. Raphael at 6 p.m. The contest remains set for Townie Stadium at the high school at the moment.

— East Providence Post and eastbayri.com staff photographer Rich Dionne shot the accompanying gallery of photos.