Dylan Hamilton of Kapaun Mount Carmel was voted the Wichita Large School Preseason Quarterback of the Year. Last season, Hamilton was honorable mention all-state and all-league.

“I’m excited to have a year of experience under my belt,” Hamilton said. “I have gained in the weight room over the summer, so I’m super excited to see what this year brings.”

The Crusaders had a heartbreaking finish to their season in 2021, as they fell to Maize 22-21 in the 5A semfinals. On one hand, that loss crushed Hamilton and his teammates, but on the other it’s been their sole focus this offseason.

“That motivates the team to strive for that state championship,” Hamilton said. “That game wasn’t on just one person, and it wasn’t just on the offense or defense. We all could have been better and that game left us wanting more for this season.”

Only a sophomore a year ago, Hamilton threw for over 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns. He said his accuracy is what made him so successful and the one area where he thought he struggled was experience, which he has plenty of now.

“As a team the expectation is a state championship, since we got a taste of going deep into the playoffs last year,” Hamilton said. “In order for us to achieve that goal the whole team needs to do their job, and put in the work, not for themselves but for the person next to them. The expectation that I put on myself would be to do whatever I can to make the team better.”