Gage Chapman (’27) is our Bank of Cadiz feature of the Week @KatherineL58069, @Chapman42071, @MurrayQBClub, @LasatersCoffee, @eCampusdotcom, @bigassfans, @khsaafootball, @KyHighFootball, @Ale8One, @CountyColonels, @HopHighTigers, @murrayFB

You may gaze at her reflection
In still waters of the lake
But don't look at her directly
Or death will be your fate
— Angel Witch, "Gorgon"

Peering into the eyes of MLB, Gage Chapman (’27), is similar to locking eyes with the Gorgon, Medusa

We may be more prone to hyperbole than even we are comfortable admitting. No, getting trapped into a starring contest with Murray’s Gage Chapman won’t kill you, nor will it likely turn you to stone; but, it may summon your inner coward and you will get your lights knocked anywhere from partially to totally out. Now the last part isn’t hyperbole, at all. Chapman has an all-state season for his Murray High Tigers in ’27 and we figure to see him even more at RB in 2026 than we did in 2025. Murray enjoyed a run to Lexington to play the Centurions of CAL for the title and came up short but it still was a whale of a season and Coach Melvin Cunningham looks to have things going along well in the “Friendliest Small Town in America.”

HB Lyon, Scouting Director, “KPGFootball”

Big Ass Fans Small School, All-State FB Reveal Show

The Bank of Cadiz & Trust Company, based in Cadiz, Kentucky, was founded August 7, 1970. The bank obtained trust powers in 1978. 

It is a locally owned, independent bank which has expanded, through the years, to locations in Hopkinsville and Murray in addition to Cadiz. The Bank of Cadiz & Trust Company has focused on community finance and dealing face-to-face with both families and small-business owners while fulfilling customer needs and the dreams of area families and businesses regardless of size or construct.

We, like our area schools, strive for high performance and finding ways to prosper in an ever-changing economic environment. The Bank of Cadiz & Trust Company remains committed to superior performance goals coupled with an exceptional quality of customer service.

’27 RB/MLB, Gage Chapman was among the local, young, high school athletes who also rendered a superior performance while achieving exceptional quality this past season. What will this established two-way star pull off in coming season?

Well, that is the reason Chapman is our featured player of the week. One thing is for certain, don’t lock eyes with him for too long, it may turn you to stone.

Murray, KY: Gage Chapman is pretty dad-burn intense. If you doubt us look into the eyes of the photograph to the right of the below paragraph. The photo, from Chapman’s X-Account, was posted by the prospect, uncredited; but, it looks like a professional shot and the type we would have credited had we been fortunate enough to have been imbued with that information.

The point is, Chapman is intense. If you stare into his eyes you probably won’t turn to stone. You will get your backside knocked straight to the ground. That much, we can promise you.

Chapman has been among the top ’27s in Kentucky since coming up from the middle school ranks. Chapman made all the prestigious middle school all-star teams and played in all the customary all-star Classics.

Chapman is listed as a 6’1,” 225-pound MLB/RB. His frame is perfectly suited for play at MLB and might be on the thick side of a 3A, HS RB.

Chapman is a workhorse in the weight room. Chapman bench pressed at least three plates (315-lbs.), squats 455, and deadlifts (or pulls) 650. Those are incredible numbers, the deadlift is off the charts fantastic.

His on-field production as a junior was equally impressive. Chapman, on offense in 13-games, carried the football 58-times for 529-yards, nine (9) TDs, while scoring 60-points.

That comes out to over nine (9) yards a carry and a TD every six and a half (or so) carries. Not bad playing a side of the ball where you weren’t particularly featured.

On defense, where he made the Big Ass Fans Small School All-State FB Team, Chapman registered 149-tackles, five (5) QB sacks, a FF, three FRs, and a pick-six returned 35-yards for the score. That is incredible production and utility for a team which finished 14-1 and KHSAA runners-up in 3A.

Murray has lost a ton of production from off one of its all-time rosters. The Tigers will have to rely on players on whom it wasn’t accustomed to relying in previous seasons.

No one expects Melvin Cunningham’s charges to be rebuilding. The Tiger community believes it has been built to reload.

We believe Chapman has a future as a two-way, multi-phase performer and (potentially) an all-stater on both sides of the scrimmage line. Looking at the numbers, Chapman has plenty of twitch and explosion, is a plus athlete, has good speed and spacial quickness particularly for his size, heft, and where he figures to be deployed.

Since Melvin Cunningham’s taking control of the Murray High program, the Tigers have served notice it is both a powerhouse 3A program and a program bent on annually challenging for state titles. Murray will have a target on its back going forward and should expect to catch opponents at their best.

Can Chapman and players like him continue the development and the run of success enjoyed to date? If the Tigers are to do that; it will require sustained brilliant flashes similar to what we saw a season ago from Gage Chapman defensively and in the offensive backfield.

We know this, the Tigers will be excellently coached and excellently prepared. We like this program’s track record. We love this program’s trajectory.

This offseason will go along way in answering questions. Regardless, seeing the answers revealed should prove entirely interesting.

Let’s just hope Gage Chapman continues to demonstrate the same standard of excellence he has shown us thus far. That would really get this program off on the right foot in 2026!

This is Friday Night Fletch, reporting for KPGFootball, reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!

If you enjoyed this article and wish to gain full-access to the site, then subscribe monthly to Kentucky Prep Gridiron by following the prompts!

© The information contained on this site is the copyrighted intellectual property of KPGFootball. Any unauthorized dissemination of this material without the author’s express written consent is strictly prohibited!