At a Thursday night meeting, council members lamented the potential loss of the sports rivalry between Green Hope and Panther Creek high schools from other Cary-area schools like Cary High and Middle Creek High.

"On a Friday night, you want to know what's happening, go to the stadiums - they're packed," said Councilman Don Frantz. "I would hate to see this broken up."

Councilman Jack Smith said the change was mind-boggling.

"We talk about trying to build community spirit while dealing with county schools" that spread Cary students far and wide," he said. "We don't want to get to be like colleges, where Brigham Young is on (an) East Coast conference."

The council showed early unanimous support for the symbolic motion, which it will take up again at a meeting in March.