JC FOOTBALL: MOORPARK'S GREAT CATCH.

Byline: SEAN CEGLINSKY Staff Writer

At 5-foot-11, 195 pounds, Tony Washington doesn't have the prototypical size Division I recruiters are looking for in a receiver.

His 4.6-second time in the 40-yard dash doesn't mesmerize, either.

But the Moorpark College sophomore catches almost everything thrown his way, as he demonstrated with a breakout effort last week.

He'll be one of the Raiders' go-to players tonight in a Western State Conference game against visiting College of the Canyons.

``Tony does some special things for us,'' Moorpark coach Jim Bittner said.

Washington made eightreceptions for 223 yards and two touchdowns as the Raiders (3-0 overall, 1-0 WSC Northern) beat Valley 59-37 last week to remain, with Glendale, one of two unbeaten local junior college football teams.

Canyons (1-2, 1-0) knows he's a threat.

``Yeah, we know about Washington,'' Canyons coach Chuck Lyon said.

``We're going to make sure we know where he's lined up at -- at all times.''

Washington has 15 receptions for 285 yards and three touchdowns as Moorpark has beaten Cerritos, Long Beach City and Valley.

``He's a very unselfish player,'' Bittner said. ``He's not one of those guys always screaming for the ball. He just goes out there and puts himself in a position to make big plays.''

Washington, a second-team all-conference selection last season, showed flashes of his potential as a two-year starter at Simi Valley High.

As a senior, he caught 48 passes for 833 yards and 11 touchdowns.

``I've always tried to find new ways to get open and make myself available for my quarterback,'' Washington said.

``There's always room for improvement, whether it be running wind sprints, catching extra passes after practice or working on my blocking techniques.''

He has attracted interest from UCLA and Oregon, but no offers yet.

``He can play at the next level -- there's no doubt about it,'' Moorpark receivers coach Barry Tolli said. ``Tony has the whole package. He understands the game, has great hands and runs precise routes.

``Plus, he's a playmaker and has been blessed with tremendous instincts. You can't teach or measure that.''

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Moorpark College's Tony Washington had eight catches for 223 yards in the Raiders' 59-37 win over Valley last week.

Joe Binoya/Special To The Daily News

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