Mom’s Game Plan Worked to Perfection : Prep football: Bryant Thomas of San Pedro has lived up to the expectations of his biggest supporter.

When Jackie Perris was a single parent of two young sons, she believed sports was a way of instilling family values in her children.

Her youngest son, Bryant Thomas, has given his mother reason to believe the strategy succeeded. Thomas’ football coach at San Pedro High, Mike Walsh, says the senior possesses intelligence, selflessness and leadership.

Those qualities have helped Thomas remain focused the past two weeks, even though his performances have fallen short of his impressive season opener.

Thomas, who plays wide receiver and free safety, touched the ball three times and scored three touchdowns Sept. 11 in a 34-0 victory over University of West Los Angeles.

However, in subsequent victories over Hamilton, 26-0, and Venice, 25-0, Thomas failed to reach the end zone, contributing mostly on defense.

Would he become another disgruntled star?

Not Thomas.

As he sat in a den filled with sports trophies, Thomas remained upbeat as he talked about his feast-or-famine season. San Pedro (3-0) opens Southern Pacific Conference play Friday night against Carson (1-2-1) at Daniels Field.

“I’m not even going to let that bother me,” Thomas said. “We still won. So, as long as we keep winning, I’ll be happy.”

Thomas said the feelings may change should the team begin to lose and the ball is not coming his way.

Walsh says there is a reason Thomas is used sparingly on offense.

“We don’t want to (tire) him out,” Walsh said. “He’s very active on defense. He’s the core of our defense. He knows the defensive adjustments to make before the linebackers or anybody else does.

“Hell, he knows our defense as well as I do.”

Thomas has excelled on both sides of the line since he began playing football at age 8.

Much of his positive outlook can be attributed to his mother’s view of sports as an important element in a young person’s life.

“One of the main things that I’d like to share with single mothers is that I kept my kids in church and I kept them involved in sports,” said Perris, who was single for 15 years before remarrying. “It keeps them off the streets. It gives them a very positive mind.”

Thomas’ uncle, Jack Charles, spent many hours in the back yard of his sister’s home, practicing the sport of the season with the children. He believes Thomas is more skilled at baseball than he is in football.

“Bryant is really modest, but I think he’s a better baseball player than football (player),” Charles said.

Said Thomas: “I liked football all my life, but I had intentions of playing baseball. (Playing baseball) was the main reason for going to San Pedro.”

But Thomas said when he was a sophomore he was told by a baseball coach that he had a better chance of “making it” in football.

“When I got (to San Pedro) I played B football and everything just clicked from there,” said Thomas, who is 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds. “I signed up for a weight-training class and I decided to stick with football.” In this season’s first game against University, Thomas’ touchdowns came on a 40-yard interception return, a quick-hitch pass for 35 yards, and a 20-yard end reverse.

Walsh said Thomas has the ability to play major college football.

“He’s a very intelligent player,” Walsh said. “He’s a team player and a leader on the defense.”

Thomas is eager to visit colleges and talk to coaches who have already shown an interest in him. He’s not sure what position he will end up playing, but he has a preference.

“I like playing offense better,” he said. “That way I can be myself; do a lot more. I can create.

“Once I get the ball I can make people miss (me) and do things that most people wouldn’t expect for me to do.”

Thomas’ mother pulls out an album overflowing with letters from college coaches. She gives credit for her son’s success to her brother and her husband, Rudy Perris.

“I believe we are a very close-knit family,” Perris said. “His father plays a very important part of his life.”