wesson — Former Natchez High School standout Javon Washington is leaving the pitcher’s mound behind — at least for a while — to get back to the gridiron this summer.

Washington saw action as a pitcher and centerfielder for the Copiah-Lincoln Community College baseball team this spring but was forced to miss football season last fall because of transfer rules.

“It felt kind of bad (not playing football),” Washington said. “I had been playing since the seventh grade. But I transferred from Delta State late and had to sit out a year.”

Washington said he thought he did well for the baseball team this spring, but he wanted to put baseball on hold this summer and get back to football.

“The time that I did play, I did pretty good pitching,” he said. “I’m still kind of debating if I’ll go back to playing (baseball). My parents want me to go back to play, so I probably will.”

Washington said he just wanted to focus on football this summer and trying to crack the Wolkpack’s wide receiver rotation.

“I’m doing wide receiver drills to get me ready for the season,” he said. “I did great in the spring. I learned the offense real quick, and I didn’t drop any balls.”

Washington, who was a quarterback at Natchez, said the transition to wide receiver has been easier because of his quarterback experience.

“I can read what the quarterback will do,” he said. “When I know what the quarterback is thinking then I know what I’m supposed to do.”

Washington said his mind never left football, even though he was forced to miss a year.

“The time I wasn’t playing football I was still working out and still getting better,” he said. “It made me a better player.”

Washington said he still has a love for baseball, and he does not have a favorite sport right now.

“It’s equal,” he said. “It’s easier to just focus on this one sport.”

Washington said he is excited about two-a-days starting in August and can’t wait to get on the field for his first game.

“I will be real excited,” he said. “I haven’t played football in a whole year.”

Washington said his goals are two win a championship at Co-Lin and also earn offers from four-year colleges with his play.

He said he has found a home at Co-Lin after his stop at Delta State.

“I really prayed about it, and I think God told me to come to Co-Lin,” he said. “It was just God’s will for me to come to Co-Lin. I love it at Co-Lin.”