KENNESAW - Woodstock made big plays when it counted the most Friday night as it came away with a 27-15 victory over Harrison in a pivotal Region 5AAAAA game at Cobleigh Stadium.

The Wolverines (5-1, 4-1) solidified their spot as the No. 2 team in the region, one game behind McEachern and ahead of a host of teams, including Harrison, tied with 3-2 region records.

The game was characterized by big plays, including two touchdown runs of more than 50 yards, a 45-yard touchdown pass and a punt returned 51 yards for a touchdown. Both teams left their marks on the field, but in the end, the Wolverines did a bit more on defense and halted the Hoyas' final charge with an interception.

"Big plays are execution that come to fruition," Woodstock coach Mike O'Brien said. "Our coaches came in with a good plan and our kids executed it."

After a slow first half, in which Woodstock scored on a 25-yard run by Kevin Bolak and Harrison answered with a 40-yard field goal by Darren Parkinson, the action heated up in the second half.

Woodstock running back Tanner Skogen proved to be the spark that started the fire with his 51-yard punt return for a touchdown with 5:04 left in the fourth. An extra point by Brad Sullivan gave the Wolverines a 14-3 lead.

"That's (Skogen). He's a good player," said O'Brien. "He's like a lot of (our players). He can make plays and that's what it takes."

Harrison responded on its first drive of the fourth quarter with a 45-yard touchdown pass from Austin Cain to Sean Hamilton. The Hoyas attempted a 2-point conversion, but the pass was intercepted near the goal line and the team settled for a 14-9 score.

A minute later, the Wolverines responded. Set up on the 35-yard line after Harrison's kickoff sailed out of bounds, Woodstock put the ball in the end zone two plays later on a 55-yard run by Zach Hitt. The point-after was blocked, holding Woodstock to a 20-9 lead.

After the ensuing kickoff, Harrison needed just one play to respond. Christian Turnipseed took the handoff on a reverse and ran 66 yards unimpeded for the score. Once more electing to go for the 2-point conversion, Harrison failed when Cain was sacked.

Trailing, 20-15, with 9:09 left in the game, the Hoyas' defense needed to get a stop. That didn't happen, however, as Woodstock picked up first downs on consecutive runs by Bolak and Skogen. A 16-yard carry by Skogen then set up the 1-yard touchdown by Bolak.

With 6:18 remaining, Harrison made another push toward the end zone, but the drive sputtered at midfield and the Hoyas turned the ball over on fourth down. A three-and-out by Woodstock gave Harrison one last shot at the end zone with a little more than a minute remaining, but an interception sealed the Hoyas' fate.

"Every time we did something, (Harrison) responded," O'Brien said. "That is a sign of a good football team. The only thing I can say about ours is we kept answering back. That's what made me feel good about our football team. We kept answering back, answering back. That's a sign of a winner, and I think our kids are winners."

Hitt led Woodstock with 85 yards on five carries. In addition to his 55-yard punt return, Skogen carried the ball 12 times for 66 yards and caught three passes for 35 yards. Bolak was 5-for-8 passing for 53 yards and ran for 62 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries.

The Wolverines also overcame a pair of lost fumbles, while Justin Toliver intercepted two passes.

O'Brien said it felt good to get the win, but his team won't be dwelling on it as the Wolverines prepare for next week's game Kennesaw Mountain.

"This one's over after (Friday night)," he said. "Then it's back to work."