Feather River College Continues Athletic Dominance in Volleyball & Football

QUINCY – The Lost Sierra’s own Feather River Golden Eagles continued their incredible streaks of athletic dominance these past two weeks, with both the football and volleyball teams bringing the gold home to Quincy in state-level competition against other community colleges.

Three years ago, in 2019, Feather River Volleyball advanced to the single-knockout state-level tournament for only the second time in school history, and went on to win their first ever California Community College Athletic Association's (CCCAA) Women’s Volleyball Championship against Irvine Valley College. That year, Feather River’s own Mere Nagase was named MVP of the entire tournament round. Although there was no tournament in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Feather River once again reached state championship contention in 2021, only to be eliminated in the semifinals by eventual winner Fresno City College.

This year, Feather River Volleyball played a 36-1 season against opponents ranging from FRC’s traditional rivals at Butte and Lassen to a 3-1 win over the NCAA Division III UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs. A victory over Shasta College on October 21st clinched a 12th consecutive Golden Valley Conference championship for Feather River, and wins over Modesto and West Valley in the Northern California Regionals qualified the Golden Eagles for finals contention again.

In the tournament, Feather River defeated Grossmont 3-0 in the quarterfinals and San Mateo 3-0 in the semifinals, allowing them to advance to the finals against American River College. On December 4th, Feather River defeated American River – the college that had previously handed them a 3-2 loss on August 27th, their only defeat of the season – 3-0 to win their second CCCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship. Golden Eagles setter Nellie Stevenson was named tournament MVP, becoming the second Feather River player to capture this honor.

Meanwhile, Feather River Football defeated Merced College 50-32 in a home game on November 26th to win their second consecutive American Championship Bowl and the NCFC division football championship. This game concluded an undefeated 11-0 season for the Golden Eagles football team, and – together with last year’s undefeated 10-0 season – marks 21 consecutive victories for FRC. Last year, Feather River’s performance allowed them to host the American Championship Bowl for the first time, where they defeated Monterey College 34-16.

Sophomore Quarterback Jared Taylor, named the bowl game Most Valuable Player, completed 19-of-25 passes for 306 yards and two touchdowns. Taylor connected on touchdown passes to Da’Jon Thomas and Sam Marshall. Thomas was named Offensive Player of the Game with four receptions for 77 yards, including a game sealing 57-yard touchdown reception in the 4th quarter.

The ground attack of Tanner Hall and Malik Dotson produced 228 yards on 35 attempts and five touchdowns. Hall rushed for 103 yards on 18 attempts and 3 touchdowns, while Dotson rushed for 125 yards on 17 attempts and two touchdowns.

As a team, the Golden Eagles led the state in rushing yards (3,863), rushing yards per game (386.3) and rushing touchdowns (54). Hall and Dotson both eclipsed the 1,000 yard rushing mark, both finishing the season with 1,057 rushing yards. Taylor finished the season with an impressive 24 passing touchdowns to only 1 interception. Sophomore Jacob Backus led the team in receptions (31), yards (447), and receiving touchdowns (6).

None of the impressive offensive numbers were possible without Quintin Robinson, Randy Herrera, Daniel Longre, Raymond Gutierrez, and Gage Arnold.

Defensively, Braden Robinson was disruptive all game and named Defensive Player of the Game. Jamison Price recorded 8 total tackles and Cole Eichele recorded an interception. Robinson led the Golden Eagles in total tackles on the season with 79. TJ Price led the team in sacks with 6 and tackles for loss with 14.5 for the season. Eichele and Cliffonte McDowell led Feather River College with 3 interceptions a piece on the season. Camren Foster led the team in pass breakups with 7.

Overall, Feather River’s athletic department seems to be on a tear as of late, with seemingly nothing able to stop them. One must wonder how high some of these players will climb, as the school’s seniors graduate and move on to higher-profile programs. Truly, the Lost Sierra seems to be the place where these diamonds in the rough find their shine.