By Chris Roth

Pinnacle High’s Spencer Rattler quickly emerged onto the Arizona high school sports scene after leading his football and basketball teams to the playoffs as a freshman quarterback and point guard.

Rattler was born in Phoenix, and as a child always wanted to play defensive back or wide receiver, but according to his father, Michael Rattler, “We didn’t have anyone around to throw him the ball.”

Spencer then started training in the fifth grade with noted quarterback guru Mike Giovando, who quickly noticed his rare athletic ability.

“His (Rattler) makeup is off the charts,” Pinnacle football coach Dana Zupke said.

Rattler really began to get noticed last summer at the National Middle School Quarterback Invitational in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where he won the strongest arm competition after throwing the ball 60 yards.

As the 2015 football season approached, Pinnacle’s quarterback left the team, and the team turned to Spencer to lead the way.

His first start was against the Division I defending state champion, Chandler High, and even though his team lost 56-10, his athleticism was on full display.

According to Rattler, his most exciting moment came against Brophy College Preparatory when he drove his team down the field for the game winning field goal in a thrilling 32-31 regular season contest. He said, “The guys in the huddle looked at me to lead them, and we did it.”

His team eventually lost the rematch with Brophy in the playoffs by one point, but the experience he gained was invaluable.

He ended the season with 2,391 passing yards and 19 touchdowns.

He then took the reins of a veteran basketball team, and led it to two playoff victories, further establishing himself as an emerging multi-sport star.

According to his father Michael, “He chose to eliminate baseball before high school and concentrate on football and basketball. Baseball was hurting his throwing motion, and basketball keeps him in shape for the football season.”

His father also noted that Rattler is a straight “A” student, which is the most important thing.

Asked what he likes most about playing quarterback, Rattler said, “The chance to be able to show leadership with the game on the line.”

Although he is a freshman he already has offers from UCLA, Kentucky, Texas A&M and Arizona State.

“I just want to enjoy my high school years and focus on the big picture,” he said. “The rest will take of itself.”

Thankfully, for the next three years, high school fans in the valley will get to sit back and watch him demonstrate his awesome skill set.

Roth is a sports journalism student at Arizona State. He is covering Pinnacle High for his sports writing class.