Benedictine Holds Off Gilmour 17-14 in Playoffs
Benedictine recovered an onside kick and ran out the clock to beat Gilmour Academy in a Division III first-round game.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Football
Benedictine defeated Gilmour Academy 17-14 on Friday, October 31, 2026, in a Division III first-round playoff game in Gates Mills, Ohio. Gilmour scored an 87-yard touchdown run in the final minutes before Benedictine recovered an onside kick and took two knees to run out the clock.
Why it matters
The win sends Benedictine into a regional quarterfinal against Garfield Heights and extends its advantage in a rivalry it has now won twice this season. For Cleveland-area high school football fans, the result keeps a local program alive deeper into the postseason.
The final score of 17-14 came after Benedictine had beaten Gilmour 32-14 in Week 1, giving Benedictine a 3-0 all-time series lead over Gilmour. Gilmour rushed for 249 yards, while Benedictine quarterback Iacampo passed 14 of 22 for 158 yards and added eight rushing yards.
The players
Benedictine High School
A Catholic high school in the Cleveland area whose football program won the playoff game against Gilmour Academy.
Gilmour Academy
A private Catholic school in Gates Mills, Ohio, whose football team lost the playoff game to Benedictine after a late touchdown run.
Matt Wilson
The head football coach of Benedictine High School who chose to go for a first down on fourth-and-5 rather than attempt a field goal.
The details
With 2:23 left, Gilmour's 87-yard touchdown run had cut Benedictine's lead, but Benedictine recovered the onside kick. On fourth-and-5 from the Gilmour 25 with 1:20 remaining, coach Matt Wilson chose a first-down attempt over a field goal, and Iacampo found Kayden Forte for five yards before Benedictine took two knees to run out the clock.
Timeline
Week 1, 2026 season: Benedictine defeated Gilmour 32-14.
Friday, October 31, 2026: Benedictine defeated Gilmour 17-14 in the Division III first-round playoff game.
This week: Benedictine faces Garfield Heights in the regional quarterfinals.
Season Trajectory
Benedictine's 32-14 Week 1 win over Gilmour was its second victory over the program this season, and the playoff result extends that edge into the postseason. The win advances Benedictine to a regional quarterfinal against Garfield Heights, keeping its 2026 playoff run alive.
Benedictine advances to a regional quarterfinal against Garfield Heights, so the outcome directly affects the team's postseason path. Fans tracking the playoff bracket should watch for the quarterfinal pairing this week.
The takeaway
Benedictine's execution in the final minutes, from recovering the onside kick to choosing the first-down attempt, decided a close playoff game. Teams protecting a narrow lead can run out the clock by keeping possession rather than settling for a field goal.
What happens next
Benedictine will face Garfield Heights in the regional quarterfinals this week.
Further reading
For more high school postseason coverage, see Football in Cleveland.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Cleveland.
