(Dubois, WY) – Dan O’Brien has a problem most 6-man football coaches would like to have.
He has more players than equipment.
With 22 players reporting for the 2026 season, the turnout is the largest since the Rams were still playing 11-man football in the early 2000s.
“I ran out of equipment,” the third-year head coach said. “That’s a good problem. We only had four XL helmets and we have six kids with huge heads,” O’Brien said.
O’Brien enters his third year as Dubois head coach with Cody Hofer again assisting.
Eight freshmen joined the program this fall.
The Rams have four sophomores, seven juniors and just three seniors, but youth doesn’t necessarily mean inexperience.
Several of O’Brien’s younger players have already played a lot of varsity football.
Junior Dylan Chamley produced more than 1,000 total yards last season and returns as one of the most dangerous players in the Dubois offense.
“He’s grown and he’s faster,” O’Brien said.
Seth Dvergsdal will direct the offense at quarterback, giving the Rams an experienced combination in the backfield.
On defense, sophomore Cam Hinkle had 103 tackles as a freshman.
“He’ll be a force,” O’Brien said.
The Rams have some size to go with their speed.
Crimson Tarness checks in at 6-4, 295 pounds and gives Dubois the kind of presence up front not often found in 6-man football.
Frank Mincey, a three-year starter, returns at center and on the defensive front, while Coltn Marble is expected to work at tight end and defensive end.
Mincey, Dvergsdal and Chamley were selected as team captains.
In 6-man football, a roster of 22 allows a coach to substitute, develop younger players, and practice in realistic game-style situations.
“I really think we’re going to be competitive,” he said. “We snuck up on people the last couple of years. I’m not sure what they’re thinking about us this year.”
The favorite remains Little Snake River. The Rattlers have won the last two state championships and remain the standard.
Behind them, things aren’t nearly as clear.
Encampment is struggling with numbers and could have trouble completing the season. Hanna-Elk Mountain lost a significant portion of its roster, while Casper Christian graduated six seniors.
The Rams travel to Riverton Friday for a Zero Week jamboree beginning at 5 p.m. They’ll face Riverside in a 6-man contest before getting a different test against Shoshoni in a either 6-man or a hybrid 9-man/6-man game.
The regular season begins September 5 at Ten Sleep.
Six days later, the Rams open at home against Hanna-Elk Mountain on September 11.
O’Brien likes what he sees from a team with more size, more speed, more experience and, most noticeably, more players.
“They hit the ground running,” he said. “The kids are practicing well.”