​Which Washington County high school football star should be the 2026 preseason defensive MVP?Herald-Mail Media has chosen 18 returning standouts below. Now is your chance to choose from among them.Voting will remain open until Monday, Aug. 31, at noon.The candidates:Xavier Bowie, Williamsport — Bowie, a two-time Herald-Mail Washington County Defensive Player of the Year, made 100 tackles, including 26 tackles for loss and nine sacks, forced two fumbles, made three fumble recoveries, returned an interception for a touchdown and blocked a field goal attempt last year.Riley Carr, Smithsburg — Carr made 67 tackles a year ago.Aiden Carter, Saint James — Carter made 46 tackles, including 10 for loss, and 5 1/2 sacks last season.Tyson Cleary, Williamsport — Cleary led the county in tackles with 146 and recovered three fumbles last year.Noah Doyle, Clear Spring — Doyle made 59 tackles a year ago.Logan Durham, Williamsport — Durham finished last season with 55 tackles and four sacks.Brody Honeycutt, Boonsboro — Honeycutt had 62 tackles and 2.5 sacks last year.Nygil Jefferies, South Hagerstown — Jefferies made 72 tackles, including 16 for loss, broke up five passes and forced two fumbles a year ago.Blake Main, Boonsboro — Main finished with 32 tackles, four pass breakups and an interception last year.Landen McAllister, Williamsport — McAllister made 78 tackles, including 18 for loss, forced three fumbles, had an interception and scored a defensive TD last season.Jack O’Neal, Saint James — O’Neal made 50 tackles, including 12 for loss, and 8.5 sacks last year.Jayden Paugh, Boonsboro — Paugh made 115 tackles, including 14 for loss, intercepted four passes, broke up seven more passes and forced two fumbles a year ago.Landen Sallerson, Boonsboro — Sallerson finished with 70 tackles and an interception last year.Luke Scott, Smithsburg — Scott had 83 tackles, including 13 for loss, broke up seven passes and intercepted three a year ago.Michael Stewart, North Hagerstown — Stewart made 58 tackles and broke up nine passes last year.Will Taffe, Saint James — Taffe made 50 tackles, intercepted two passes and broke up four others a year ago.Evan Tall, Boonsboro — Tall made 75 tackles, including nine sacks, last season.Marquis Weakfall, Smithsburg — Weakfall made 45 tackles, broke up four passes and had three interceptions last year.