Wide Receiver Perry Plans to Return to Mater Dei

Rod Perry Jr. will return to play football at Mater Dei, Rod Perry Sr. said Thursday.

Perry, an all-Orange County wide receiver who helped the Monarchs win the 1994 Southern Section Division I championship, probably will return to Mater Dei next week. He has been attending Sugarland (Tex.) Clements High but has not played football for the school.

Rod Perry Sr., an assistant coach with the Houston Oilers, said the family would not return to Southern California. Instead, Perry said his son will live with the family of a Mater Dei player. Details are being worked out for that family to become legal guardian for his son, according to Perry.

Under Southern Section rules, a player must live with his parents or a legal guardian to be eligible. Perry will be cleared to play as soon as he has logged the necessary practice time and the school provides proof that his legal guardian is in California.

“This was a real tough decision, but we thought it was best for him,” said Rod Perry Sr., who was a defensive back and, later, an assistant coach for the Rams. “He has been very, very sad here [in Texas].”

Perry attended Mater Dei as a freshman and sophomore while his father was coaching with the Rams. But the family moved to Sugarland after Perry was hired by the Oilers.

“We wanted to give him the opportunity to graduate with the friends he had at Mater Dei,” Perry said. “It’s going to be tough on all of us, but it’s very important to Rod to be with his friends.”

Perry fractured a bone in his foot during summer practice and has not suited up since. Under section rules, Perry is still eligible to play at Mater Dei because he did not play for Clements.

Perry’s return could jolt to life an offense that was mediocre in a 10-7 victory over Servite last week. Perry was the team’s fastest receiver last season. He also returned punts and played defensive back.

Perry, a first-team all-Orange County pick, caught 59 passes for 1,191 yards.