INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — The North Tahoe Rams of the Sagebrush Empire Pop Warner league have a dedicated coaching staff highlighted by a former NFL player, they have slick-looking blue-and-gold uniforms with matching helmets and talent in the youngest and rawest of forms.

About the only thing they could really use are a few more bodies — whether they come from Incline Village, Kings Beach, Tahoe City or anywhere in between.

“We always knew we didn't have the numbers to do this and call ourselves the Incline Rams,” said Scott Wilderman, a player parent and co-head coach of two of the three North Tahoe Pop Warner teams. “The North Tahoe Rams is the right thing to call us, because to get our numbers we've got to get to Kings Beach and Tahoe City, and we've got to stop those kids from going all the way to Truckee.”

In particular, the Rams are seeking young players, roughly ages 7 to 9, to fill out the roster on their Mitey Mites team. They also field teams at the Jr. Pee Wee (ages 8-10) and Jr. Midget (ages 10-12) levels, which have already met their minimum numbers requirement but would be happy to accept additional members, Wilderman said. In addition to age, the Pop Warner levels are also based on weight.

The North Tahoe Rams are a work in progress. For the first time in their young history, they're assembling teams at three levels — just one year after fielding teams at two levels for the first time ever. They have a solid foundation with Wilderman and Rick Buhler, head coach of the Jr. Midgets, as well as Rod Sherman, a former NFL receiver with the Raiders, Bengals, Broncos and, in his final season in 1973, the Rams.

“We're very lucky to have a guy like Rod Sherman,” Wilderman said. “He's a godsend to this town, because he is a guy who is absolutely capable of taking a 10-year plan and building a real football program that will see results at the high school level.”

Sherman has owned a home in Incline Village for the past six years and moved in full time within the past year. He said he's having a blast so far coaching the North Tahoe Rams.

“It's been fantastic,” Sherman said. “These guys are willing to learn and are excited. Just watching them, you forget how excited you were on the first day when you got your helmets and pads … you see the kids get rewarded for their hard work. It's good to see.”

The North Tahoe Rams also offer a popular cheerleading program for girls, Wilderman said.

Suit up for the North Tahoe Rams Anyone interested in joining the North Tahoe Rams may contact coach Scott Wilderman at 775-832-9444 or scott@summitcompanies.com.