​HILLSDALE COUNTY — Football games start Aug. 28 for Hillsdale County ISD high school teams. Several key athletes return to the gridiron in 2026 looking to improve upon impressive offensive campaigns last fall, including our Hillsdale Daily News 11-player MVP and Offensive MVP winner. More: Our favorite games of Hillsdale County’s 11-player football scheduleWith our returning 11-player MVP, each team has standout athletes looking to make a splash and lead their squads to winning seasons. In the first edition of the Offensive MVP watchlist, we choose one student-athlete from each football program who we believe will be in the conversation for the award when the final whistle sounds on the gridiron in November. Vote at hillsdale.net for which of these eight athletes is your preseason favorite to be the Offensive MVP of 2026. Readers can vote multiple times. The winner of the poll will get an exclusive interview ahead of the 2026 football season. The poll closes Sunday, Aug. 16 at 11:59 p.m. EST.Offensive MVP WatchlistBrandon Menchaca – Camden-Frontier – Senior ATHAfter earning all-state in pole vault this past spring, Brandon Menchaca could return to be the main receiving threat for the next RedHawk quarterback that takes over for dream team honoree and 2026 graduate Luis Thilo. Menchaca had 17 receptions for 307 yards and six receiving touchdowns last fall for the RedHawk offense. The RedHawks could look to move Menchaca around the field in 2026.Evan Towne – Hillsdale – Senior QBSenior quarterback Evan Towne made significant strides as a leader and offensive engine for the Hornet football team last fall. As a junior, he passed for 1,149 yards and nine touchdowns whilst adding 946 rushing yards and nine more touchdowns on the ground. Towne lost his primary receiving threat — 2026 graduate and Manchester signee Thayden Welch — but the Hornet signal caller looks to be among the most experienced passers in the LCAA conference this season. John Milks – Jonesville – Senior RBOur returning 11-player and Offensive MVP from 2025, Jonesville senior running back John Milks looks to cement an all-time rushing career at Jonesville with one final season ahead. Milks returns as one of the top running backs (all-state) in MHSAA Division 7 football with two-straight 1,000-yard seasons. The MHSFCA all-region running back ran for 1,623 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2025, averaging 162.3 yards a game and earning eight 100-plus yard performances. He looks to lead Jonesville to back-to-back playoff appearances, and he will likely eclipse 4,000 career rushing yards within the first four weeks of the season. Gavin Gutting – Litchfield – Junior WRLitchfield junior Gavin Gutting turned his first full season of athletics back from open heart surgery into a dominating campaign on the gridiron in 2025. Gutting was an MHSFCA all-region wide receiver for the Terrier offense last season, earning 43 receptions for 715 yards and eight touchdowns. He will be signal caller Caleb B