Most of the East Providence High School fall sports squads got their first taste of action last weekend as the Townies continued to prep for the respective starts of their upcoming 2023 regular season schedules.

The football and boys' soccer teams participated in their respective Injury Fund games on Friday, Sept. 1.

The EPHS gridiron group traveled to Pawtucket's Max Read Field where it defeated Central Falls, 28-6, in 24 minutes of play (two quarters).

Sophomore quarterback Jacob Duarte, calling his first varsity snaps as the Townies' starter, scored three times. He rushed for touchdowns of 47, one and two yards. Evan Johnson's nine-yard score accounted for the fourth EPHS TD. Isaac Fox kicked four extra points.

Around the same time, the Townies headed to the Barrington High pitch to take on Moses Browns for their first formal outing under new boys' soccer coach Tim Calouro. East Providence defeated the Quakers 2-1. 

Brian Rutkowski netted the first EPHS goal on a rebound off a free kick. Nathan Capelo added the second from the penalty spot. Two Townies split time in net. James McShane conceded the lone Moses Brown tally, but also made four saves while one half of action. Kyle Desrosiers made fives saves in his half of play.

Later that evening, the EPHS girls' volleyball club hosted Scituate in a non-league affair, beating the visiting Spartans by a 3-0 count.

The Townies were winners by the scores of 25-16, 25-11, 25-18. Keira Mullen paced the locals with seven kills, four service aces and three blocks. Daniella Escudero had 12 digs a team best fives aces. Malia Mullen added five kills and a team leading four blocks.

The next morning, Saturday, Sept. 2, the respective EPHS girls' and boys' cross country teams headed to Deerfield Park in Smithfield for their Injury Fund meets.

Junior Maggie Robinson was the Townies' top runner in their girls' varsity 5K race, finishing 18th with a time of 23:25. Abby Beatrice was EP's top runner in the freshmen 4K event in 19:08. Sadie Gagnon was next in at 20:00 flat.

Junior Will Anthony paced the EPHS boys' varsity runners, placing 35th in their 5K race with a time of 20:01. Freshman Gerald Gagnon was right behind in 36th with a time of 20:11. In the frosh 4K, Giuseppe Belanger led the EP runners in 40th with a 17:19.

Also Saturday, the Townies began year two under girls' soccer coach Melissa Resendes in Exeter-West Greenwich for the Injury Fund where EPHS lost to Barrington by a 2-1 count. Brennyn Alves potted a PK to account for the Townies' lone tally.