Chriss Vaughn (The Rock) returns to his boyhood home in the Pacific Northwest after leaving to pursue a decorated career in the U.S. Armed Forces after high school 8 years ago. Slipping back into town unannounced, Chriss is shocked and saddened by what he sees. His belowed town has been ravaged by poverty and corruption. His wealthy high school rival, Jay Hamilton (Neal McDonough), has closed the once-prosperous lumber mill - once the area's largest employer - and has turned the town's resources towards criminal gains.The place Chris grew up is now overrun with crime, drugs, and violence. Jay Hamilton's wealth and influence have allowed him to open the casino, gambling mecca. Even Chris's high school girlfriend Deni (Ashley Scott) is one of the casino employees: she dances there as a stripper. Enlisting the help of his old pal Ray Templeton (Johnny Knoxville), Chris gets slected sheriff and vows to shut down Hamilton's operations. Now Sheriff Chris Vaughn, he wields a huge stick fashioned from lumber mill pine. His actions endanger his family and threaten his own life, he is one man against many - but Chris refuses to back down until his hometown once ahain feels like home.