PREP NOTES : Perry Will Play for Mater Dei Tonight

Rod Perry Jr., who returned to Mater Dei this week, will play for the Monarchs tonight against Hawthorne, Coach Bruce Rollinson said Thursday. Perry received medical and Southern Section clearance on Wednesday.

There was concern about the foot injury Perry sustained during the summer, but he received medical clearance from former Ram physician Clarence Shields on Wednesday, Rollinson said.

In addition, Rollinson said the school has received word from section officials that the paperwork showing Perry to be a legal California resident again is in order.

Dean Crowley, Southern Section commissioner, said Perry did not lose any eligibility available at Mater Dei.

“The key is he established his eligibility there,” Crowley said. “It would have been broken if he had played at another school, but he did not. So he doesn’t lose a thing.”

Perry, a junior, enrolled at Sugar Land (Tex.) Clements High after his father, Rod Perry Sr., a former player and assistant coach for the Rams, took a job with the Houston Oilers. But Rod Jr., who didn’t appear in a game for Clements because of his injury, wanted to return to California.

Rollinson said he will use Perry in a limited role as a wide receiver tonight at Hawthorne High. “It’s not like he doesn’t know the system,” said Rollinson, adding that Perry will not start or play defensive back.

Last year, Perry, a Times Orange County first-team selection at wide receiver, was an integral part of the Mater Dei team that went 14-0 and won the Division I championship.

He finished with 59 receptions for 1,191 yards--sixth-most in county history--and scored 16 touchdowns.