Talented wrestlers and squads abound.

But in the end, Athens will have a good team, Green Hope an even better team, and nobody will beat Cary.

The guy gets the girl, the band plays and everyone goes home happy.

The ending might - just might - not be the same this year.

Panther Creek, another Cary school, is threatening Cary's remarkable run.

The Imps have won 27 straight conference tournament titles - a streak dating back to Ronald Reagan's first term in office, Michael Jordan's sophomore year at UNC.

Cary has entered the state tournament undefeated in 26 of the last 28 years.

Last year's match-up between the two was the narrowest margin of victory in Cary's undefeated year as the Imps prevailed 33-27.

Both teams are currently undefeated.

Cary has a 24-0 record.

Panther Creek is 21-0.

Their meeting on Feb. 3 at PCHS will be the last regular season match before the conference tournament that Saturday at Lee County.

Cary is ranked No. 1 in the state 4-A poll.

Panther Creek is No. 3.

It's about as even a match-up as Cary has seen during a conference dual match, even if their histories are far from it.

The Imps' trophy case has been piling up the awards at a ridiculous rate.

Cary won the past five NCHSAA 4-A individual tournament titles.

And it walked away with the past three NCHSAA 4-A team tournament titles.

This year's seniors have an opportunity to graduate with 16 championships - one for each conference tournament and regular-season championship and for each state 4-A individual and team championship.

In all, Cary has 20 state championships and 18 different Imp wrestlers have won individual titles.

Panther Creek's short four-year history consists of one dual-team appearance and two wrestlers who have placed in states.

But history goes out the door when these two meet again.

Unlike last year, when Panther Creek coach Jon Armfield dreaded having to face the Imps, he looks forward to this year's meeting.

"I think we match up against them well," Armfield said after a December match against Green Hope.

"Hopefully we're healthy and hopefully we take on them as a healthy team and if we win it's because we're a better team.

"That's what we've been looking forward to since last year."

Match-ups are what truly count in a wrestling match.

Can a wrestler move up a class and not get pinned?

Can you limit the amount of points their best wrestler scores while maximizing the number for your own?

With no sure-fire state champion - although Cary has two defending state champions - on either side, it's a match that should give the area a much-needed boost in the sport.

Even if the guy does get the girl, at least the plot has thickened.

And we'll all be on the lookout for a sequel.