Six schools from the Tri-Nine Conference reached the playoffs last year as playmakers. And a ton of points were the norm.

The western Wake County league, which also includes Lee County, will have plenty of those skilled players back for another round this season.

"There's a lot of skill players and a lot of firepower in [the Tri-Nine]. A lot of it is going to depend on how good defense people play and how healthy people stay," Apex coach Bob Wolfe said. "I think you're going to see it be a dog fight with this crowd."

Defending conference champion Middle Creek (12-2) has quarterback Garrett Leatham back, fresh off a season in which he threw for 3,855 yards - which was 14th most in N.C. history for a season - and 30 touchdowns. Leatham also threw for 451 yards in a game against Apex - the 12th in state history for a game.

Athens Drive (9-4) brings back a dynamic trio of quarterback Ben Snotherly (2,490 passing yards, 860 rushing yards, 31 total touchdowns), running back Kyree Green (1,726 rushing yards, 27 total touchdowns) and Louis Wilder (1,161 yards receiving, nine touchdowns).

"[At one point], our conference had three of the top five passers in the state," Middle Creek coach Sean Crocker said, alluding to Leatham, Snotherly and Panther Creek's Kameron Bryant. "It's definitely a challenge for the defense every week. And every team attacks you a different way."

Fuquay-Varina (11-3) is led by Cory Hunter, who has amassed 3,984 yards rushing and 59 touchdowns over the past two seasons. Hunter is ninth in the N.C. record books for most rushing touchdowns in a season (36) and second for most rushing yards in a game (463).

While Middle Creek, Panther Creek, Apex and Athens Drive all run spread offenses that rely on passing, Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs and Cary each incorporate a heavy dose of run plays.

While some teams have players with great individual accomplishments, it's good to know what each team likes to do.

"It's not just that one guy that you focus on, but it's what that team does," Cary coach Ben Kolstad said.

Fuquay was so run-heavy last year that, even after graduating 1,000-yard rusher Nate Budde, the team still brought back about 3,500 rushing yards.

Cary's DeAndre Henry scampered for more than 1,400 yards as a sophomore.

So with one 3,000-yard passer and two 2,000-yard passers, one 2,000-yard rusher, two 1,000-yard rushers and one 1,000-yard receiver returning, there will be points aplenty in this year's Tri-Nine. Look no further than the ones who put them up last year.