REDDING, Calif. – The expectations are high for Shasta College's football team entering 2017 after nearly turning in the first perfect season in school history last year.

The Knights are ranked No. 15 in the California Community College Athletic Association preseason football coaches poll, conducted by the Junior College Athletic Bureau.

Shasta went 10-0 in the regular season last year before falling to West Hills College Coalinga 20-14 in Northern California Football Conference American Division Championship Bowl. However, the Knights begin this season ranked ahead of the Falcons, who come in at No. 25.

The Knights are the only Pacific 7 League team ranked in the poll, though, Pac 7 foe Los Medanos Mustangs are on the bubble as the "next 5" ranked after an 8-3 season.

Shasta is attempting to make it to four straight bowl game appearances this season, which would be the first time since going to five straight from 1954-58. Shasta has also won three straight Pac 7 titles.

Based on the poll, the Knights are the favorite to win the NCFC American Division Bowl for the second time in three years.

Shasta's season opener is Saturday against West Hills with an 11 a.m. kickoff at Memorial Stadium. The original start time was at 1 p.m. but was moved up due to the expected extreme heat warning sweeping the North State.

"The team has been working hard and pushing through tough, hot days during fall camp, and now we get a chance to begin to see where we're at and how the season comes together during tough competition," said Craig Thompson, Shasta College's head football coach.

The Knights had the No. 4 scoring offense in the state last year and the top scoring defense. Shasta returns its top rushers in Justin Hellyer (849 yards, 9 TDs) and DeMarco Grayson (450 yards, 2 TDs). Hellyer also led the team in all-purpose yards with 1,143 and scoring with 13 touchdowns.

photo by Mike Daly