The first practice for the Kemmerer Rangers is this upcoming Monday and first-year coach Sid Chaulk spoke with SVI about the program’s work during the offseason as they prep for the 2026 campaign. 

“We’ve been doing a lot of work this summer,” he said. “We’ve asked a lot of the kids and they’ve stepped up to the challenge. We’re working five days a week with field work and the weight room. Our attendance has been right around 60% and we just finished up with some maxes and our 40-yard dashes and our agility is improved.”

Bart Jernigan stepped away from the program after nine seasons. Chaulk has the job and is being joined by some familiar names from the area.  

“AQ Peternel is our defensive coordinator and  just finished up at Rocky Mountain College where he played for five years,” Chaulk explained. “He’s walked into that role like he’s been there before and doing a great job.”

“Alec Rudy is our strength and conditioning coach as well as our linebackers coach. He’s a big part of our weight room success.” 

“Jake Jackman is back and we are counting on him to guide us where we want to go. He will be coaching JV, offensive coordinator and wide receivers and defensive backs.” 

RELATED: RADIO INTERVIEW WITH KEMMERER COACH SID CHAULK – 

The Rangers will be looking to compete in the very tough 2A West again this season against the likes of Mountain View, Lyman, Lovell, Thermopolis, Pinedale and Cokeville. They will also have the goal of trying to reach the postseason, something they have not been able to do since 2018. Chaulk likes the leadership he has seen from the players over the past several months. 

“We’ve got some squad leaders and one that has really been standing up is Noah Parks,” he replied. “He’s been helping get everyone out. Sam Thatcher, Dawson Crosland and Heston McMillen. A lot of guys who are leading the way this summer. We are preaching the message of one week at a time. Going 1-0 each week and winning the day with each practice.

Some of the hallmarks of Kemmerer football the staff and players will be trying to establish is a squad that has options. 

“I’d like us to become a balanced offense so we can be multidimensional,” Chaulk explained. “Defensively I’d like to force some three and outs and get our defense off the field. We will try and focus on clock management and impose our will and have the freedom to attack where we see fit where we see the openings.”

Coach Chaulk believes the Rangers aren’t just getting local buy-in from the players and coaches, but from the community as well which he feels is vital to success. 

“We are definitely seeing it from the community too and it’s been a great summer. We are putting one foot in front of the other this summer. Word around town and having them come out and be supportive is big for us. Having full stands [makes for] a lot of power on the sidelines even when things don’t go your way; to be supportive and trust the process. When we are all pulling in the same direction we can have success. Thank you to the community, the coaches and the players. We have asked a lot of our players and the community and their parents and we appreciate the support.”

RELATED: NEW SCHOOL YEAR MEANS A FEW CHANGES TO WYOMING’S CLASSIFICATIONS – 

• 2A Notes

With the implementation of new ADM figures for this season and the next in the determination of classifications, the Worland Warriors, who had been in the 2A West for the past two seasons, will be moving back into the 3A class. The Torrington Trailblazers will move back to 2A. The co-op between Upton and Sundance has now ended which means the 2A West will have seven teams while the 2A East will have eight. The top four from each conference make the post-season. 

Kemmerer Rangers Football 2026

Aug. 28 Vs Big Piney (Scrimmage)

Sept. 4 @ Moorcroft

Sept. 11 @ Thermopolis

Sept. 18 Vs Lyman

Sept. 25 @ Mountain View

Oct. 2 TBA

Oct. 9 Vs Pinedale

Oct. 15 Vs Lovell

Oct. 23 @ Cokeville