If the Tri-Nine Conference wasn't the area's best football league from top-to-bottom last year, it at least has a compelling argument for the most competitive.

The conference champion, Panther Creek, had a small margin of error - winning three games after trailing by 16 points or more. So, too, did sixth-place Athens Drive, which lost four games by six points or fewer.

Panther Creek went 13-2 and finished as a state 4-AA semifinalist. Athens Drive went 5-6 and narrowly missed the playoffs.

"Usually you have a couple of big games a year and we had one pretty much every week," said Panther Creek coach Wayne Bragg. "Going into the last week of the season, we were playing Cary. If we won, we were the No. 1 seed, but if we had lost, we were the No. 4 seed ... that's just how tight it was."

Expect more of the same this year.

Four Tri-Nine schools - Middle Creek, Cary, Panther Creek and Fuquay-Varina - are separated by just seven spots in the preseason News & Observer football rankings.

The league graduated 38 of 51 all-conference players, including some Division I recruits and N.C. High School Athletic Association record-setters.

"We lose some big names in the conference," said Middle Creek coach Sean Crocker. "But we've still got good players and we've got good coaches, so I expect (the conference race) to be pretty tight again this year."

Here is an overview of each Tri-Nine team (with 2010 records), in order of last year's conference finish.

Panther Creek (13-2, 7-1): Panther Creek had just eight wins in school history before breaking through in a big way last season. Many of the playmakers who rallied the team to improbable come-from-behind victories are gone, but the Catamounts are still strong in a number of areas.

Four offensive linemen and tight end Dan Beilinson return to what was a dominant front line last year, including guard Mike Sutton, who was all-state as a sophomore.

Beilinson, a Duke recruit, is one of few skill players returning to the Catamounts. Jordan Jensen, a senior, gets his first chance at quarterback.

Opening game: Friday at Leesville Road

Fuquay-Varina (11-2, 7-1): Fuquay-Varina has won 11 games in each of the past five seasons but has not advanced past the third round of the playoffs.

Fuquay's offensive system is simple: run the ball repeatedly and wear down the opponent. Despite the absence of now-graduated Cory Hunter, who rushed for 87 touchdowns in three seasons, that philosophy hasn't changed.

The Bengals return a 1,000-yard rusher in Ricky Fergerson and all-conference offensive lineman in Tyson Fernandez. The defense was hit hard in graduation, particularly with the loss of all-state player Shawn Underwood, who now plays at North Carolina.

Opening game: Friday vs West Johnston

Cary (9-3, 6-2): Cary boasted a tough-nosed defense and explosive running game behind DeAndre Henry (1,494 rushing yards, 12 TDs).

The Imps lost some of their best defensive players, but Cary has plenty of players they can call on to get stops.

Opening game: Friday vs Broughton

Middle Creek (9-4, 6-2): Middle Creek returns most of its team on both sides of the ball.

Whichever quarterback is named starter, he will have two of the area's top returning wide receiver to throw to in seniors Kevin Jones (1,026 yards, 10 TDs) and Jon Moore (901 yards, 2 TDs). Junior running back Naylaan Lopez had more than 1,100 yards of total offense.

The Mustangs defense, where four three-year starters return, should be a strength for a team most known for their pass-happy offense.

Opening game: Friday vs Northern Durham

Lee County (8-6, 4-4):Lee County rolled to the third round of the playoffs last year in its second season under Burton Cates, ending the year 8-6 overall.

The Yellow Jackets graduated its offensive backfield but return punishing offensive and defensive lines, led by all-conference offensive tackle Victor Ingram (6-feet-4, 311 pounds).

Opening game: Friday vs Southern Lee

Athens Drive (5-6, 3-5): Athens Drive made history by becoming one of two teams to win five games and be left out of the playoffs since the N.C. High School Athletic Association switched to its current format.

The Jaguars graduated all but 21 lettermen off last year's team and seven of them play wide receiver - including Mike Estes, A.J. Stewart and Hunter Williams.

Opening game: Friday at Sanderson

Apex (3-8, 2-6): After nine straight seasons of six wins or better, Apex is just 5-17 in the last two seasons.

Coach Bob Wolfe's team should be improved defensively, as eight starters return. The Cougars have junior Quincy Mangum and senior Shawn Knox in the backfield.

The Cougars open the season a week later than everyone else.

Opening game: Aug. 26 vs Riverside

Holly Springs (2-9, 1-7): After a thrilling 2010 opening win for Holly Springs coach David Riggs, the Golden Hawks lost their next seven straight games and ended the season 2-9 overall.

The Hawks appear strongest in the defensive backfield, where safety Von Williams and all-conference cornerback Joey Roach return.

Opening game: Friday at Heritage

Green Hope (0-11, 0-8): Green Hope's Kwame Dixon, a former head coach at West Johnston, is the league's only first-year coach. He takes over a program that enters the season having lost its last 38 consecutive games, the longest active streak in North Carolina.

The Falcons return three two-way starters from last year's team: junior Ryan Boyle and seniors Will Nassif and Marcus Williams.

Opening game: Friday at Smithfield-Selma

Private schools

Cary Christian (9-3): The Knights finished runner-up in the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association eight-man football playoffs last year. Cary Christian had two losses to state champion Word of God.

The Holy Rams cruised by Cary Christian 67-28 in the title-game bout.

Four starters are back for the Knights, including James Peterson. The loss of do-everything playmaker Sam Cassucci will hurt.

Opening game: Aug. 26 at Halifax Academy