Pleasant Grove quarterback Eric Handley threw a 71-yard touchdown pass with 32 seconds remaining for what appeared to be a game-tying play against Parker.

Handley had other ideas.

“I told coach I didn’t want to go into overtime,” Handley said. “I wanted to go for two, and coach believed in me and us. So, when we scored, we didn’t hesitate and we were able to execute the play.”

Handley connected with Donatavious Thomas for the game-winning 2-point conversion, lifting the Spartans (4-1) to a 22-21 victory over Parker at Spartan Stadium.

“We have been practicing that play for a while now, and I knew when coach called my number I was going to make the play no matter what,” Thomas said.

The 2-point play capped a wild ending, as Parker’s Na’eem Offord scored on a 61-yard pass from Malik Muhammed with 1:06 to go to give the Thundering Herd a 21-14 lead.

Parker sacked Handley for a six-yard loss on the first play of the ensuing possession, but he threw the 71-yard TD to Clarence Taylor on the next play.

Parker (5-1) suffered its first loss of the season.

Top play: Handley threw a 99-yard touchdown pass to Taylor midway through the first quarter. It’s tied for the longest pass in AHSAA history.

Stat sheet: Handley completed 24-of-34 passes for 463 yards and two touchdowns. He also completed two 2-point conversion passes. Daylon Parks also scored on a 3-yard run for the Spartans. Taylor caught six passes for 221 yards and both TDs. Cameron Jackson had nine tackles and three sacks. … For Parker, Muhammed finished 12-of-17 passing for 210 yards and a TD. Offord scored on a 5-yard run and the 61-yard catch. He had four catches for 130 yards. Parker’s Amari Brundidge ran 16 times for 114 yards, and Martavis Purnell scored on a 24-yard run.

Clutch play: In the third quarter, Handley connected with Jordan Smith to convert a fourth-and-12 play, which set up Daylon Parks’ 3-yard TD run.

Mr. Versatility: Offord, one of the top-rated cornerbacks in the Class of 2025, logged time at receiver, defensive back and wildcat quarterback.

Coachspeak: “We started out slow, and Pleasant Grove had more fight that us tonight. We got out-coached. We have got to get better and get back to the drawing board.” – Parker coach Frank Warren

He said it …: “Parker is one of the best defensive teams we have played against this year, but we believe in each other, which helped us pull out the win.” – Handley

“Taylor made a heck of a play on that last TD. He has been doing that all year.” – Handley

What’s next?: Parker plays Woodlawn next week, while Pleasant Grove meets undefeated John Carroll