Prep Friday : A BLAISE TO GLORY : Bryant’s Been Looking Good on and off Field

There is nothing blase about Blaise Bryant.

Bryant, a senior running back at Cypress High School, is the type of player who will not only win a game, but would be happy broadcasting it as well--if someone handed him a microphone.

But the flamboyant Bryant doesn’t need a microphone to be heard. These days, his statistics garner enough attention.

Bryant is the county’s second-leading rusher. He gained 58 yards on 18 carries in Thursday’s loss to Los Alamitos and has gained 924 yards in 128 carries this year.

Bryant has helped first-year Cypress Coach John Selbe turn the program around and put the Centurions, who weren’t on any coaches’ preseason list of Empire League favorites, in the early running for a playoff berth.

Last season, Cypress finished in last place with a 0-7 record and was 3-7 overall. This season, the 6-foot, 185-pound Bryant has led Cypress, 2-2 league and 4-3 overall.

Selbe has nothing but praise for Bryant.

“We think he’s an outstanding running back,” Selbe said. “He’s got all of the tools that a great high school back should have--good size, speed and balance.

“It’s true that he’s been the bulk of our offense so far, but we’re developing other players, like Troy O’Leary, to take some of the pressure off of Blaise.”

In Cypress’ 57-14 victory over Kennedy two weeks ago, Bryant scored three touchdowns on runs of 1, 11 and 81 yards. O’Leary matched that with two kickoff returns for touchdowns as well as a 50-yard scoring reception.

As Cypress develops its other players, Bryant will become more dangerous because defenses won’t be able to key on him, Selbe said.

“But for as good as he is on the field, he’s been equally as good, if not better, as a leader,” Selbe said. “He’s the one who talks to the kids before the game, at halftime, or at practice. The other players on the team really respect him.”

Bryant bears the responsibility of team leader well, even if he is only 16.

But it’s clear that Bryant is not your typical 16-year-old, on or off the field.

“I always have to be at my best because if I dog it in practice, then the other players will think it’s OK if they dog it, too,” Bryant said. “But if I’m working as hard as I can, then I have a right to say something to the players who aren’t.

“Most of the time, though, everybody works hard because we’re trying to establish a winning tradition here. Even practices are fun when you’re winning.”

Bryant expresses himself not only in the way he plays, but by the way he dresses.

For Bryant, clothes are a symbol of individuality.

“Most everybody in high school wears the same clothes--the denim look,” Bryant said. “You know, jeans, high-top tennis shoes and an Oxford shirt. Me? I like something wilder. Anything that’s different or kind of crazy.

“There are about 10 to 30 kids or so at school who aren’t afraid to break away and wear something different. I’m one of that group. Someday I’d like to be a fashion designer. That’s why I read magazines like GQ or In Fashion.”

Thus far, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon and Colorado have expressed interest in Bryant, who wants to major in communications. But Bryant says that he’ll wait until the season ends before deciding on which school to attend.

In the meantime, he’ll try to stay a step ahead of fashion changes and would-be tacklers.