ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - Since joining the Metro League in the 2018 season, the Monterey Trail Mustangs posted a 27-0 record, which included three consecutive Sac-Joaquin section championship games that were lost. 

In order to get back to a championship game, Mustangs head coach T.J. Ewing said the Mustangs will need to believe. 

“Belief, belief in the system, belief in the program, all in belief, like I really believe what you’re saying to me, which I think is the biggest thing you really have to believe and you have to trust,” Ewing said. 

The Mustangs have gotten to the championship game, so Ewing said he feels like they have a good and established system that the players can buy into. 

The Mustangs will look to replicate that success now that they are rejoining the Delta League, which they haven’t played in since the 2017 season. 

Ewing has never shied away from building a tough schedule ahead of conference play, which he describes as fun since his team plays top-ranked teams.

Entering his 20th season as a head coach, Ewing and the Mustangs are tasked with playing teams they’re familiar with but haven’t played in conference play since the 2017 season, excluding Laguna Creek, which also is joining the Delta. 

Ewing said that the Mustangs will be looking to play with the same approach each game, even while rejoining a league they haven’t played in for a few seasons.

Head coach T.J. Ewing is entering his 20th season as head coach of the Monterey Trail Mustangs and will be looking for the first section title in football in the school’s history. (File photo) 

Team Strengths: Ewing said that the Mustangs’ strengths this season include players with a skill set that could play big roles. 

“There’s some kids that have the ability to play some big roles that will help our overall team have success,” Ewing said. Even with the individual skill set of certain players, Ewing said that he believes this is a good group of players that can help each other if they all work together. 

“They have to all work together for it to work,” Ewing said. “I don’t see anybody doing anything by themselves and I think you have to have a team do it so the whole team wins.” 

The Mustangs understand that it will be a group effort, Ewing said, and the team watches a lot of film in order to prepare for their return to the Delta. 

Team Unknowns: It’s a new team, Ewing said. 

“There’s some new guys at some positions so we’ll see how they respond to consistent and competitive teams week after week,” Ewing said. 

There won’t be a team in their schedule that will forfeit so it’ll be a challenge every week for the Mustangs, Ewing said.  

Overall Outlook: Ewing said his team and staff are looking to enjoy the journey throughout this first season in the Delta since 2017. 

“Enjoy the journey, enjoy your life because it goes by really fast so we have to have a sense of urgency as no one’s guaranteed the next day, so really enjoy your days with your brothers and sisters,” Ewing said. 

Ewing is still looking for Monterey Trail’s first section championship as they look to get over the hump of the three losses in section championship games. 

Schedule: The Mustangs last season began 0-3, but due to their tough schedule and Metro League championship were granted a bye week in the first round of playoffs due to how tough their schedule was. 

Ewing has always chosen tough competition ahead of league play, and this year is no exception with the Mustangs slated to take on the Inderkum Tigers, Pittsburg Pirates, El Cerrito Gauchos and California Grizzlies. 

“It’s just ‘funner’ to play,” Ewing said. “It’s absolutely no fun to get blown out and no fun to blow somebody out so you try to find matches where the games are going to be down to the wire.” 

Ewing also assured that with those four opponents in their preseason schedule, the Mustangs will be ready once league play begins. 

The Mustangs will travel to take on the Inderkum Tigers for their first preseason match-up on Aug. 23. 

*=Delta Conference game

8/23 @ Inderkum

8/30 vs Pittsburg

9/6 vs El Cerrito

9/13 @ California

9/20 vs Laguna Creek*

9/27 vs Sheldon*

10/4 @ Pleasant Grove*

10/18 vs Franklin*

10/25 @ Cosumnes Oaks*

11/1 @ Elk Grove*