Football season is fast approaching, with Hillsdale College's season opener just a month away, and the Chargers preparing for their first fall practice a week from now.

It's shaping up to be another hotly contested season in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference in 2026, with several title contenders in the mix from a league that put three teams in the NCAA DII playoffs last season, a high-water mark for the conference.

Defending champion Ashland has been tabbed to repeat by the G-MAC coaches in the conference's annual preseason poll, released on Wednesday afternoon, with 87 votes and six first-place votes. Northwood, also a NCAA Playoff team in 2025 was picked as the Eagles' closest challenger, claiming four first place votes and 85 total votes in a tight race for the top spot. Findlay and Tiffin, perennial title contenders with new head coaches in 2026, were picked to finish third and fourth, respectively. You can see the full poll below.

Hillsdale earned the fifth spot in the preseason poll after placing fifth with a 6-6 record in 2025, but the Chargers will aim to climb the standings in 2026 with a significant amount of returning talent to build around. Nearly all of Hillsdale's top skill position players return, including both quarterbacks who saw time for the Chargers in 2025, the team's top three rushers from last season, and its top four pass catchers.

Leading the way for the Chargers offensively is senior wide receiver Shea Ruddy, a 2025 consensus All-American and one of the most dynamic weapons in the country. Ruddy led the Chargers in receiving with 695 yards and seven touchdowns, but made his biggest impact in the return game, leading all NCAA divisions with 960 kickoff return yards and three touchdown returns. The Temperance, Michigan native is a threat in nearly every dimension, as he was the only player in NCAA DII last year to score a touchdown four different ways with rushing and passing touchdowns to his name as well.

Along with Ruddy, Hillsdale also returns talented tailback Ben Ngishu, a first team All-G-MAC player and the G-MAC Freshman of the Year in 2025 who led the Chargers in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, as well as three sophomore pass catchers who broke out last season in receivers Tutt Carrico and Ryan Skura and tight end Andrew Konieczny.

Directing the attack for the Chargers for the third straight season is junior Colin McKernan, who set career highs across the board for Hillsdale at quarterback in 2026 and is a veteran hand directing the offense. McKernan is being challenged for his job by sophomore Eli Boyce, who saw significant playing time at quarterback down the stretch in 2025, in a battle that's set to continue into fall camp. Given the success both players have had over their careers at Hillsdale, the Chargers can expect solid play from whoever captures the job.

Hillsdale's biggest question mark offensively is on the line, where Hillsdale graduates three starters, including two All-G-MAC honorees, from the 2025 squad. Despite the losses, Hillsdale can lean on two multi-year starters in Jesse Mendoza and Ethan Jozsa, and also should get a healthy return from Josh Holba, who started the first three games of 2025 before suffering a season-ending injury and should be a difference-maker for the Chargers in 2026.

The cupboard is stocked defensively as well for Hillsdale, which returns nine of 11 starters from last year's squad, headlined by repeat first team All-G-MAC linebacker Jacob Vance, who's led the Chargers in tackles each of the past three seasons. Vance leads a stacked linebacking crew that includes breakout sophomore Luke Penola, as well as veteran Kaden Evans.

Hillsdale also returns its top pass rushers up front, led by senior Drake Badger, Hillsdale's first player to finish with double-digit sacks in a season since 2009. Fellow defensive ends Jayden Njoroge, second on the team in sacks, and Neal Likens also return, as do the team's top defensive tackles, Evan Bienick and Parker Hart.

The Chargers are also set to have a veteran secondary to lean on. Cornerback Ryan Niksa was second in all of NCAA DII with 16 pass breakups last year, and he's joined in the defensive backfield by safety Colin Morrow, who led Hillsdale with three interceptions, as well as veteran safety Jonah Jensen among several returners.

Hillsdale kicks off the 2026 season at noon on Sept. 5 at home against McKendree, looking to beat the Bearcats for the second straight season after pulling out a thrilling 22-17 victory on the road in 2025. The Chargers' contest against the Bearcats is one of a record seven home games for Hillsdale in the regular season, as the Chargers will give fans plenty of chances to catch them in action in 2026. Hillsdale's conference opener is on the road on Sept. 19, as Hillsdale battles rival Northwood at noon in Midland, Michigan.

You can see the full schedule here.

2026 Great Midwest Football Coaches Preseason Poll
1. Ashland- 87 points (6 first place votes)
2. Northwood- 85 points (4 first place votes)
3. Findlay- 74 points 
4. Tiffin- 66 points
5. Hillsdale- 61 points
6. Walsh- 51 points
7. Ohio Dominican- 42 points
8. Lake Erie- 36 points
9. Thomas More- 25 points
10. Kentucky Wesleyan- 18 points