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Ever since Feather River Community College started its football program, the Golden Eagles have had the Knights' number.

The first game, on an October 2002 evening at Memorial Stadium, was a harbinger of things to come. Shasta blew a 28-17 lead in a fourth quarter and lost 32-28.

Since then, whether it has been blowouts or other close calls, it has been Feather River 6, Shasta 0 in what is an annual meeting.

The Knights may have the team to end that streak when the two teams meet at 5 p.m. today in Quincy.

Both team are ranked in Northern California. Shasta is 13th and the host Golden Eagles (3-2) are 16th.

"It would be really nice to finally break through against these guys," Knights coach Craig Thompson said earlier in the week.

That may be a tall order since Feather River is the home team today with lots of momentum.

The Golden Eagles have won three straight, the last one a 66-20 shellacking of Merced.

Ironically, the 2002 game prevented Shasta from a 4-0 start that season and precipitated a four-game slide.

This year's Knights (3-1) are one play from being 4-0, but they hope the similarities end there.

Shasta already exceeded expectations for their non-conference season but would love to get another victory to carry over when Bay Valley Conference play begins next week.

The Golden Eagles average 316.2 yards offensively, but mostly on the ground (226 yards rushing per game).

Feather River uses the double-option attack, led by running backs Neville Bryce (524 yards, 10 TDs) and Enrico Pendergrass (271 yards, six touchdowns — including three receiving).

Quarterback Mike Crumbaker is the typical dual threat, passing for 451 yards and 153 yards rushing. His top target Chase Jones (16 catches, 207 yards) has accounted for more than half of Feather River's receptions.

"Their system is tough to prepare for because you don't see it often," Thompson said. "A lot of their points have come on long plays. They keep coming after you, getting 3-4 yards at a time, then suddenly they break one."

Which means the Shasta defense needs to rebound from its poorest showing two weeks ago against Siskiyous for the Knights to come away with another road win.

Feather River also has an aggressive bear-style defense that uses a lot of blitzes. The Golden Eagles have 14 sacks and 12 turnovers.

Their main goal likely will be to stop Shasta's running game and force the Knights to go to the air.

That means containing redshirt freshman Brandon Baldwin (496 yards, 5 TDs), who is off to a strong start this season.

His play has helped Shasta utilize the play-action pass effectively. Knights quarterback Will Camy (52-of-77, 616 yards, 6 TDs, 1 INT) enters the game 10th in the state in pass rating.

Reporter Jeffrey Jen can be reached at 225-8228 or at jjen@redding.com.