Roughriders win OIT title, look to 2008

CI beats Fresno before sellout crowd to finish 2007 campaign with 12-7 record

The fans in Central Iowa were going crazy after Faustino Borrello's second touchdown pass of the night gave the Roughriders a 38-33 lead. But that wasn't even close to the reaction the crowd gave after a Benny Glass interception on the next drive sealed the victory for the Riders.

Borrello went 20 for 35 with 223 yards and two touchdowns, "Touchdown Tom" Ando had 20 carries for 101 yards and three scores, and the Central Iowa Roughriders won the OIT championship in a back-and-forth 38-33 game against the Bobcats.

The Roughriders went 12-7 on the year, including a 9-7 regular season record that had Central Iowa on the outside looking in after finishing just one game out in one of the tightest playoff races in OIFL history. Central Iowa, Jacksonville, and Long Island all competed for two playoff spots, the #8 seeds in the Eastern and Western Conference. Jacksonville and Long Island both finished 10-6, and Central Iowa ended up with the #1 seed in the OIT.

Central Iowa management was able to celebrate their victory, but soon got back to work as they completed a trade to get Scott Summers from Portland. The Roughriders are expected to make a few more moves that will hopefully put them over the edge in 2008.

One thing that may help is the departure of 2005 Eastern Conference champ Rosemont. The Horizons beat the Riders twice in the 2007 season, but in an unexpected twist owner James Lysoby announced he would step aside from ownership of the Horizons. Replacing Rosemont in the Midwest Division is the rebuilding Wisconsin Warlords. The Warlords finished their final season in Wichita with a 4-12 record.

The Riders will have a tough schedule in 2008. They have nine games against playoff teams, including non-division bouts against Western Conference runner-up Tucson and Eastern Conference champion Tampa Bay. Coach Jim Stanley is looking forward to the schedule however, as he believes the Roughriders "will show that they belong among the OIFL's elite."

Season tickets go on sale New Year's Day 2008. Contact the front office at 1-800-CI-RIDERS to purchase them.