Highly rated quarterback Spencer Rattler is no longer eligible to play for football for Pinnacle High School, so the Pioneers need a new leader as they head into the state 6A playoffs.

The team found its new leader in senior captain Quinton Powell, who is one of Pinnacle’s best players. Powell, who has taken snaps at almost every skill position on the team, has stepped in and become a perfect fill-in for Rattler.

Powell’s primary position is cornerback, but he also starts at wide receiver for the Pioneers.  Powell leads the team in interceptions with five. He was named MaxPreps’ overall player of the game against Valley Vista high where he tallied two tackles, an interception and two offensive touchdowns.

Powell chooses to lead the team by example. 

“My style of leadership is not as vocal as the other captains are. I’m more of a “as you see me do that, you look up to that,” Powell said.

Powell also takes pride in being a leader on the field as well. He feels as if when he is between the lines, his leadership role is increased.

“Being able to show the guys that you’re able to do both (offense and defense), it doesn’t matter how big or small you are, it doesn’t matter. I’m doing whatever the team needs me to do and I think that is a big part of being a leader and captain of this team,” said Powell, who stands 5-foot-8 and weighs 160 pounds.

Dana Zupke, head coach of Pinnacle, believes that Powell is ready to be the leader of the team.

“It starts with his example," Zupke said. "He is a super hard-working kid. He is a super talented kid, but doesn’t rest on his talent. He has worked himself to be the best player that he can be.” 

The loss of Rattler may hurt Pinnacle’s chances of making it to the state championship final, but Powell wants his team to remain optimistic. 

The Pioneers still have a lot of football left with backup quarterback JD Johnson taking over. Johnson has shined when stepping in for Rattler this season, but he isn’t going to be able to fill the leadership role like Rattler had.

It’s up to Powell.

“I have to show the team that we can still do it without Spencer. We just have to get it out of their minds that we cannot do it without Spencer because we can,” Powell said.

Powell knows that the team will need even more guidance and leadership with the absence of their star.

“As far as my leadership goes, I am going to have to step up bigger and better than before," he said. "I am going to also have to be more vocal because Spencer was the one that was usually doing that, so now I have to step up and do that."

Powell will look to lead the Pioneers as far as he can as the state playoff games start this weekend.

Pinnacle (9-1) is the No. 2 seed heading into the playoffs, only behind Chandler (9-1).

Pinnacle takes on Desert Ridge at Pinnacle at 7 p.m. Friday.