By Robert Wilson
East Rankin Academy’s Gage Crapps won the MAIS Class 5A state discus championship last season as a junior, only the second state discus state champion at the Rankin County private school since Steven Boozer won three straight and set the MAIS overall record in 2003.
Now, the 6-foot-2, 260-pound senior offensive-defensive lineman has his sights set on helping East Rankin have its first winning football season since 2012.
Crapps was dominating on both sides of the ball Friday night as he led his offensive line to open holes for East Rankin running backs as they produced 299 rushing yards in an impressive, 55-6 victory over Acadiana Christian, La., in the season opener at East Rankin in Pelahatchie.
For his outstanding performance, Crapps has been named the first Junction Deli/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Football Player of the Week.
“Gage was a beast,” said East Rankin coach Teddy Dyess, who made his coaching debut at East Rankin and improved his record to 232-59 in 23 career seasons. “Gage was dominant on both sides of the ball. He had key blocks that contributed to Brandon Loper’s five touchdown night. Defensively, Gage was very disruptive, causing several bad snaps at nose guard. He is the epitome of a student athlete. Gage is a selfless leader on and off the field, and represents our school the right way.”
East Rankin offensive line coach Joey Stringa has known Crapps since he was a freshman.
“I gave him the nickname ‘Softy’ when we started out together four years ago,” Stringa said. “But there’s nothing soft about the way he plays football. Gage is tough and disciplined, and he shows up in the biggest moments. He is an amazing teammate and an ever better kid. With Gage it’s more than talent, his leadership, work ethic, and humbleness make him a special part of this program. Friday night was one of those games where Gage reminded everyone why he’s been a four-year starter. He dominated on both sides of the ball. Gage was a force all night long and his motor never shut off. He is just so much fun to watch. Gage started his season months ago with the rest of his teammates. He has put in a ton of work to make sure he is playing at the highest level possible. Regardless if it’s the weight room or speed and ability, Gage will give you his all. He is very deserving of the award.”
Boozer, who held the MAIS Overall discus record for 19 years and was on the track and field team at the University of Alabama, is now the track and field and strength coach at East Rankin.
“Gage is as genuine as they come,” Boozer said. “I told my seventh grade son Gane if you want player to pattern yourself after then they don’t come any better than Gage Crapps. He is an excellent example of what a model student athlete should be. Gage would finish every rep of a set. He is one of the best track and field athletes I’ve ever coached. He worked his way into a 5A state championship in the discus with a personal best of 143 feet this past season, 30 more feet than this personal best from the past year. He helped us finish third in the state, the best finish in school history. Gage does 350 pounds on the bench press, 285 pounds on the power clean, 475 pounds on the squat and 550 pounds on the deadlift. Gate is a member of the National Honors Society and has maintained an A average all throughout high school.”
Crapps was the second consecutive East Rankin athlete to win the state discus. Brayden Warner won it the year before.
Crapps is the son of Mack and Carli Crapps of Morton and Lacey Parker of Leesburg. Mack graduated from Morton High and participated in the Mississippi High School Rodeo. He qualified and competed in the saddle bronc competition at the National Finals Rodeo his senior year. Lacey graduated from Pisgah High where she was a member of the softball team her seventh through 12th grade years. Crapps has two younger brothers, Jax Crapps, 11, and Charles Lavender, 1. Jax is the sixth grade at East Rankin and is member of the elementary football team. Both brothers plan to follow in Gage’s footsteps and become high school athletes.
East Rankin plays at Canton Academy Friday night.
Mississippi Scoreboard selects a player from a school from Hinds, Madison or Rankin Counties each week during the season. Coaches can nominate a player by texting Robert Wilson at 601.506.2276.
