The Elk Grove Unified School District started with Elk Grove High School, naturally.

By 1977, Valley joined the district. In 1989, it was Florin. Then in the 1990s and 2000s, the district swelled to nine schools, reflective of the massive growth in the Sac-Joaquin Section.

Two of the relative newcomers are Sheldon and Monterey Trail, headed by coaches who relocated years ago from the Bay Area for new challenges — and more affordable housing — in Joe Cattolico at Sheldon (after opening nearby Pleasant Grove) and T.J. Ewing, the founding Monterey Trail coach.

Others in The Bee’s preseason rankings for teams No. 6-10 include storied Placer, which opened in 1897, and programs that quickly rose to success in Antelope and Inderkum.

8. Monterey Trail (6-5)

Coach: TJ Ewing

League: Metropolitan

Enrollment: 2,300

Division: I/II

School opened: 2004

Opener: vs. Sheldon, Aug. 17

Pedigree: Eight playoff apperances since 2007 and two section title-game showings under Ewing, one of the section’s top motivators and leaders.

The skinny: The Mustangs are rarely big in numbers (30 players this season) but few teams maximize every bit of effort, and it starts this time around behind DB Jehiel Budgett and QB/DB Zach Larrier, a scholar with soaring recruiting interest.

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