By BRENDAN MCGAIR

Sports writer

WOONSOCKET – After starting off the season with a Division I contender (East Providence) and an inferior opponent (Chariho), Woonsocket head coach Carnell Henderson figured he’d get a better read on his athletic squad as West Warwick paid soggy Barry Field a visit on Sunday.
After four quarters of slopping through the messy conditions, the Villa Novans put the rest of the league on notice that they are, indeed, someone worth paying attention to. Woonsocket did it all its damage offensively in the second quarter, then went out and blanketed West Warwick in the second half en route to a 19-6 win.

“I feel like the team is where they should be,” said Henderson as parents were busy setting up a post-victory spread outside the locker room. “We’re learning new systems, offensively and defensively. I think the athletes are starting to become more athletic, which is a sign they’re comfortable.”
The Novans’ athleticism shone bright on both sides of the ball in the second quarter. After a scoreless opening quarter, the hosts wasting no time breaking through. A host of Woonsocket defenders pressured West Warwick quarterback Russell Strickland, resulting in a fumble in Wizards’ territory.
After the ball was kicked 20 yards, Woonsocket’s James Suber, whose name popped up throughout the afternoon, pounced on the live ball. Suber scored from four yards out to give the Novans an early 6-0 lead.
The Wizards, a playoff team a season ago, responded with a momentum-changing play of their own. As Villa Novans quarterback Danny Gonzalez dropped back to pass, the ball squirted free. Standing by Gonzalez’ side was West Warwick senior William Frye, who recorded the interception, then rumbled 60 yards to the Woonsocket 4-yard line.
West Warwick drew even as Strickland scored on the ensuing play, calling his own number on a draw right up the middle.  
Momentum proved fleeting thanks Suber returning the kickoff 80 yards, down to the Wizards’ 5. The next play saw senior Tyrell Nealy spin his way away from two would-be tacklers before crossing the goal. That put the Novans up 12-6.
After forcing the Wizards into a three-and-out, the Villa Novans took over with less than a minute remaining near midfield. Not content to kneel on the ball and head into halftime up six, Henderson decided to see if the Novans could bolster their lead.
A 35-yard hookup between Gonzalez and Ricardo Almodovar set up shop for the Novans at the Wizards’ 16. With 3.7 seconds remaining, there was still time for one final play.
Suber found himself in single coverage, which Gonzalez immediately recognized. Showing nice touch, Gonzalez hit Suber in the right corner as the halftime horn sounded.
“We saw some areas where we thought we could make plays. Ricardo made a nice catch over the middle to get us in position to make (the connection between Gonzalez and Suber possible),” said Henderson, whose crew is 2-0 in league play. “We needed a score because we weren’t going to get the ball to start the second half, but that was a huge play between quarterback and receiver.”
Gonzalez featured a little bit of everything under center, completing seven passes for 174 yards. His fancy footwork proved both a blessing (a run of 34 yards in the third quarter immediately jumps out) and a curse (four of his five runs went for negative yardage).
“Danny’s getting very comnfortable,” said Henderson. “We have a system in which we take what the defense gives us, and he’s starting to see that big picture.”
The Villa Novans came close to pitching a shutout. The Wizards managed just 143 yards from scrimmage, just 63 yards coming in the second half.
“Wet Warwick has a ton of athletes. In one play they can get loose,” said Henderson. “Our guys have done a good job the last few weeks in bending but not breaking.”
West Warwick (1-1) also brought pressure, sacking Gonzalez three times in the third quarter. As much as the defense allowed the Orange & Black to hang around, the Wizards’ offense was close to non-existent. “We didn’t execute on the plays we were working on,” said WW head coach Shane Lagor.
Next up Henderson & Co. is a visit to Pariseau Field this Friday to tangle with Tolman. “(The Tigers) are similar to the Wizards in that they make a lot of plays,” said Henderson. “We know Tolman is well-coached and are going to be ready to play.”

WOONSOCKET, 19-6
West Warwick 0 6 0 0 -- 6
Woonsocket 0 19 0 0 – 19
W – James Suber 4 fumble recovery (kick failed)
WW – Russell Strickland 4 run (kick failed)
W – Tyrell Nealy 5 run (pass failed)
W – Suber 16 pass from Danny Gonzalez (Souriyavong Thongsavone kick)

    WW W
First downs  7 8 
Rushes-yards  29-123 24-59
Passing  4-13-0 7-14-1
Sacks by  3-24 1-8
Net passing  12 150
Punts-avg.  5-33.0 6-26.2
Fumbles-lost  1-1 2-0 
Pen.-yards  4-25 4-36

Individual leaders
Rushing: WW – Kenneth Olivieri 6-23, Jimmy Mullins 6-17, Russell Strickland 15-86, Reuben Paygai 1-(-1), Ethan Jacques 1-(-2); W – Danny Gonzalez 15-29, Tyrell Nealy 4-15, Jordan Barr 5-15. 
Passing: WW – Russell Strickland 3-11-0-20, Ethan Jacques 1-2-0-0; W – Danny Gonzalez 7-14-1-174.
Receiving: WW – Amine Malki 3-4, Charles Parent 1-16; W – James Suber 3-27, Jessie Charette 2-48, Rocardo Almodovar 1-35, Jose Merced 1-64.