Garrison’s Late TD Lifts Oneonta Past Pleasant Grove 42-41 

ONEONTA, AL— Just when it looked like Pleasant Grove had control, Oneonta had other plans. Quarterback Sam Garrison plunged in from a yard out with 52 seconds left, and Aaron Espinoza’s extra point sealed a wild 42-41 come-from-behind win for the Redskins in their 2026 season opener.

The victory captured a game that swung back and forth all night, one that came down to whichever offense held the ball last. In the end, Garrison and the Redskins did — and they made it count.

First Half Action

The Spartans came out fast. Amare Peterson found Javion Sales twice through the air early, connecting on scoring strikes of 11 and 28 yards to stake Pleasant Grove to a 14-0 lead before the visitors could catch their breath.

Oneonta didn’t panic. Cy Dilliapree punched in a 14-yard touchdown run to cut into the deficit, and Garrison added a 25-yard scoring dash to knot the game at 14 before the opening quarter ended.

Peterson stayed hot in the second quarter. He hit Quinton Johnson from 4 yards out and then found Sales again on a 3-yard toss, giving the Spartans a 28-14 edge. But Garrison refused to let the half slip away. His 1-yard sneak with just 4 seconds on the clock pulled Oneonta within 28-21 at the break.

Key Turning Points

Pleasant Grove struck first coming out of the locker room. Peterson connected with James Whitaker on an 8-yard touchdown pass, stretching the lead in the third quarter. Once more, Garrison answered — this time on a 12-yard scamper with 49 seconds left in the period.

Sales, who tormented the Redskins defense all night, wasn’t finished. His 1-yard plunge with 10:35 remaining pushed the Spartans back in front, 35-28, and set the stage for a frantic finish.

That’s when Garrison went to work in the passing game. He found Brayden Southwell on a 10-yard touchdown strike with 4:50 to play, drawing Oneonta within a single score. The Redskins defense then forced the stop they needed, giving Garrison one last chance. He delivered, running it in from the 1 with 52 seconds on the clock. Espinoza’s kick provided the margin.

Garrison finished as the workhorse and the hero, completing 13 of 20 passes for 188 yards and a touchdown while carrying 25 times for 146 yards and four rushing scores. Dilliapree chipped in 73 yards on 10 carries. Jaxon Ballington hauled in six passes for 59 yards, and Santana Lofton added a 60-yard grab.

Pleasant Grove had plenty to build on despite the loss. Peterson threw for 238 yards and five touchdowns on 14-of-24 passing, though two interceptions proved costly. Sales was a one-man wrecking crew, rushing for 189 yards on 21 carries and catching 10 passes for 198 yards, accounting for three total touchdowns.

Final Outlook

For Oneonta, the win offers proof that this group can weather adversity and finish. Rallying from a 35-28 hole on the road is the kind of test that pays dividends deeper into the fall.

For Pleasant Grove, the loss stings, but the offensive firepower is undeniable. Peterson and Sales form one of the more dangerous quarterback-receiver duos around, and cleaning up the two turnovers could flip results like this one.

Both programs turn the page quickly. Oneonta welcomes the Corner Yellow Jackets (1-0) to Gilbreth Stadium next week, while Pleasant Grove returns home to host the Pinson Valley Indians (0-1).