Moline is headed to Glen Ellyn after one of the wildest finishes of playoff opening weekend, and Glenbard West will be waiting.

No. 18 Moline (7-3) beat Benet Academy 42-38 on Friday, Oct. 23, on a 25-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kasen Ponder with just 11 seconds remaining, the Daily Herald reported. The Maroons advance to face No. 15 Glenbard West (6-3) on Saturday, Oct. 31, at Glenbard West. A kickoff time had not been announced as of Sunday, Oct. 25.

The comeback was staggering. Benet led 38-28 with five minutes left and had Moline pinned at its own one-yard line. Ponder then connected on a 99-yard touchdown pass to cut the deficit to 38-35, according to the Daily Herald. Moline recovered the onside kick, but Benet's defense held. The Redwings could not run out the clock, though, and Moline drove for the winning score in the final two minutes.

What the Hilltoppers face

Moline opened its season 0-3 but won seven straight to reach Glen Ellyn. The Maroons finished second in the Western Big 6 Conference with a 5-1 league mark, their only conference loss a 21-10 defeat to champion Sterling, according to Shaw Local's playoff preview. That regular-season winning streak included a road victory at Geneseo.

Ponder showed Oct. 23 he can extend plays under pressure. The 99-yard strike and the game-winner suggest a quarterback comfortable throwing deep when it counts.

Glenbard West's playoff edge

The Hilltoppers earned a first-round bye under the IHSA's expanded 384-team playoff format, which grants byes to the top 16 seeds in each class. They enter the postseason rested and at home.

Second-year starting quarterback AJ Rayford leads an offense that averaged nearly 36 points per game during the regular season, according to Shaw Local's Suburban Life playoff pairings. In a 42-24 win over Hinsdale Central on Oct. 3, Rayford went 6-for-9 for 203 yards and three touchdowns while also running one in, Shaw Local reported.

The Hilltoppers' weapons include a pair of Northwestern recruits: tight end Brady Johnson, who has also played defense, and offensive tackle Josiah Wallace. Receivers Keyante Johnson and Jaylen McMiller round out the skill group.

"Offense has been strong all year … great offensive line, good skill players," Glenbard West coach Chad Hetlet said after the Hinsdale Central game.

Glenbard West has never lost its first playoff game since Hetlet took over in 2007, according to Shaw Local. The Hilltoppers have not advanced past the second round in four years.

Saturday's game will be Glenbard West's first postseason action of 2026. The IHSA is expected to release the full second-round schedule early in the week.