Last week, on the eve of Chandler Valley Christian’s football opener, legendary coach Jim Rattay found a way to motivate the players.

He did it with a movie on Benson Field, played on the electronic scoreboard about the man who shaped his life.

“We Are Marshall” was shown, after Rattay, a football program adviser at Valley Christian, spoke about Jack Lengyel and the character-building he gave him in the 1960s when he played for Lengyel at Wooster College in Ohio.

Lengyel left Wooster after the 1970 season to rebuild a Marshall football program after most of its players and coaches were killed in a plane crash. The 2006 movie starred Matthew McConaughey, who portrayed Lengyel.

“I don’t think it was something they probably even had knowledge of before we showed them the movie,” Rattay said. “Now it’s been a big motivator for them.”

Valley Christian’s long road trip to Bullhead City last week turned into a success with a 41-18 win over Mohave Valley River Valley.

“Football is a common denominator when it comes to values,” Rattay said. “It teaches character, unselfishness, and being part of a family.”

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Rattay said he was asked by Valley Christian special teams coach Michael Fraley to help in an advisory role with the football team this year. Fraley is a prominent name in the Valley Christian community.

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Michael and Jim’s son Tim, a former NFL quarterback, are close friends.

Rattay hit it off with new head coach Jake Peterson, who was promoted within the program after Kirk Sundberg left to coach at his alma mater in Michigan, Grand Rapids Christian.

Rattay has not led a high school football program since  2016, when he resigned as head coach at Laveen Cesar Chavez.

Rattay’s last two state titles came leading Phoenix Christian to back-to-back crowns in 2003 and ’04. Coincidentally, Valley Christian’s home opener Friday is against Phoenix Christian, which beat Valley Christian for the 2004 state title.

“I’ve been able to meet with the coaches and share some information, watch film, stuff like that,” Rattay said. “I feel it’s an honor and a privilege to still be involved, especially with a Christian organization.

“My heart is there. I had a special feeling about Phoenix Christian when I was coaching there. It’s a good marriage for both of us, because they are committed to Christian values. The coaches are all Christian. It’s refreshing to be around like believers, equally yoked and have the same goals for our players, develop them not just physically but in every aspect.”

Rattay never lost contact with his Wooster coach.

“Coach Lengyel had the courage to say, ‘I’ll take on the program,’ ” Rattay said. “He knew they probably would not win for a while, but he still wanted to work with young men and help them develop. He put together special men.”

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at [email protected] or 602-316-8827. Follow him on Twitter @azc_obert.

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