“Last week it was the start of our uprise,” running back Brock Rinehart said. “We came out here fighting for every single down, every single quarter. That’s what we wanted to do. That was our game plan and we accomplished it.”

Woodbury lost 24-7 to top-ranked Lakeville North in Week 1, then fell 42-7 at No. 2-6A Eden Prairie the following week. A 21-7 loss to No. 5-6A Mounds View was next, before the Royals got on track with a 42-14 win at Stillwater.

“We were a little cocky coming into the season, and I think it was a good wake-up call plaything those teams,” Wilson said. “We made some changes.”

Turnovers in early games hurt the Royals. They hurt again against the Raiders — Wilson was hit from behind on a throw in a potential game-icing drive, and the resulting interception led to a go-ahead Cretin-Derham Hall touchdown with 1:42 to go in the game. But this time, Woodbury shook off the mistake, and Wilson went 3 of 4 on the game-clinching drive, including a 7-yard run to retake the lead with 42 seconds remaining.

“We felt like we shot ourselves in the foot — those are great programs, they played really well too — but we know we can hang with them if we take care of the ball and play great defense,” Woodbury coach Andy Hill said. “Maybe that’s what came out of this from the tough schedules; we know we can play if we keep fighting.”

Wilson had highs and lows in the game — the second game he’s started since fellow quarterback Jake Wenzel went out with an ankle injury. Wilson had an early red-zone interception on a bad lob throw, and took tackles for loss due to indecisiveness. But he also had some big runs, including a 63-yard scamper up the middle in the third quarter that put Woodbury up 24-21.

The senior was also good on the game-winning drive. His one incompletion was a drop in the end zone that should have been a touchdown. Wilson scored on the next play.

“Outstanding. Charlie had ice in his veins,” Hill said. “He got rid of the turnover play real quick and just knew he had to lead.”

Coming into the game, Cretin-Derham Hall (4-1, 3-1) hadn’t allowed more than 14 points to an opponent. But the Raiders lost three fumbles, and the Royals scored on the ensuing possession each time — two touchdowns, and a field goal by Devin Paddleford at the end of the first half to make it 21-17.

Woodbury needed the help. Preston Thelemann had a big day for the Raiders, completing 23 of 27 passes for 378 yards and three TDs. But he also fumbled to set up Wislon’s 63-yard score.

Last year, Hill said the Royals were a mentally tough team. This game he said, was reminiscent of that.

“I think like this tapped back into who we wanted to be culturally,” Hill said. “You kind of saw it tonight.”

The big players came through for the Royals when they needed. Mac Lockner had 101 yards on four catches, including two big ones on the game-winning drive. Rinehart had a video game-esque 22-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, making multiple players miss with jukes. He also ran down the lineman who intercepted Wilson to set up the Raiders’ final touchdown.

So while Woodbury took some big hits early in the season, they appear to be all the better for it. And if Friday was any indication, the Royals are a team that could be dangerous in the regular season's second half and the playoffs.

“It was all a learning experience,” Rinehart said. “We know if we wanted to go and play that good, we play them early on and see where we stand. We’d get better each week because of that.”