SIOUX FALLS, SD - Even after a 8-1 regular season, the Sioux Falls Roosevelt Rough Riders were ranked fourth in the final edition of the 11AA poll and don't think they didn't notice.

"We felt alittle disrespected but it definitely brought us down to earth again and made us work even harder the last few weeks," Roosevelt senior quarterback Scott Tyler said.

"All those rankings and talk in the newspapers just gave us motivation all year long and we used that to our advantage and we came out and showed them what we had and it worked out," senior wide receiver Josh Angulo said.

The extra motivation propelled Roosevelt to a 31-17 win over two-time defending champion Washington.
After building a 17-0 lead, the Riders allowed the Warriors to tie it up at 17 heading into the half.  But they turned up the heat after the break, reeling off 14 unanswered points to capture the crown.

"They made some big plays.  They made a run at us.  But our guys hung in there and took their best shot and came back and won it in the second half," Roosevelt Head Coach Kim Nelson said.

Tyler did most of the damage for the Riders. The southpaw threw for 337 yards, two touchdowns, and also rushed for a score.

While the numbers were great, it was the signal caller's leadership that impressed his coach the most.

"He was telling me what he wanted to run and the game was in his hands and he won it for us in the second half," Nelson said.

The title is the first for the Riders since 2007.  But this one is extra special for a coach who's spent 34 seasons chasing a championship.

"This is my first one...the first one is always the best and I hope we can get more than one but I'm glad I don't have to wait any longer," Nelson said.