Two in particular - Panther Creek's Todd Schuler and Green Hope's Wayne Bragg - will be ready to discuss possible changes from the NCHSAA's staff model, which was released last year.

Panther Creek and Green Hope are set to split off from the Tri-Nine Conference in 2013 and join the Durham-based PAC-6 Conference.

For financial reasons, both schools have concerns. Panther Creek estimates a loss of revenue between $15,000 to $25,000 a year. Green Hope booster club President Pete Durand said his school would feel a similar impact.

"With less funding available at the school system level, there is more pressure on the schools and booster clubs to fund their athletic programs," Schuler said. "There is a concern about ticket revenue and attendance at games. We're blessed to be in a conference where we've got strong rivalries, schools close to each other, high attendance - certainly at all of our football games. And there is concern about whether or not we'll continue to keep that going in a new conference."

The NCHSAA staff model replaces Green Hope and Panther Creek with Harnett Central, giving the current Tri-Nine Conference seven teams. Current Tri-Nine member Lee County will be moving down to 3A.

A minimum of six teams typically is required of NCHSAA conferences. The current PAC-6 will be one team short of that in 2013, when Southern Durham and East Chapel Hill also drop to 3A, which is why PC and Green Hope - the next closest schools - were added.

Both schools have emailed Wake County Superintendent Tony Tata and contacted WCPSS Athletics Director Bobby Guthrie, asking for support.

"They're willing to be advocates on our behalf, but we recognize that for us to stay what is currently in the Tri-Nine, other schools have to join what is now the PAC-6," PC booster club President Sean Welsch said. "We're hopeful, but we recognize it's not just about us."

Across most athletic programs, Panther Creek and Green Hope would be among the best in the PAC-6. But an athletic department needs more than just on-field success; sponsorships also are key.

"For a parent who sponsors the program ... it's going to be harder to advertise, because they're not going to be advertising to people who are from the area," said Durand.

Welsch points out that many Durham schools do not field as many teams as Panther Creek and Green Hope. Hillside did not field a varsity boys' soccer team this year. Particularly among junior-varsity teams, scheduling conflicts could become plentiful at Green Hope and PC.

"It's going to require a lot of additional scheduling on Todd's part to make sure our teams have enough games," Welsch said. "He's already taxed from a time standpoint as it is."

While the NCHSAA is open to other suggestions, it's unsure of what suggestion would work. The next-closest 4A team to the west is Southern Alamance, which is unlikely to move, as it will be in a six-team conference. The NCHSAA refrains from using split conferences when possible. So while there is a nine-team 3A conference that includes Durham and four other counties, it's unlikely that conference would be split apart.

"I hope that our athletics directors and principals from our schools can share their thoughts (with the NCHSAA)," Durand said. "Then everybody take those thoughts in mind before making a decision."