LUMBERTON — As the high school football regular season winds down, one of Robeson County’s biggest rivalries between Purnell Swett and Lumberton gets renewed at 7 p.m. Friday at Alton G. Brooks Stadium.

This week’s matchup between Lumberton (3-5, 1-3 Tri-County Conference) and Purnell Swett (2-7, 0-4 TCC) is more than just a rivalry renewed. It’s also a critical game for both team’s playoff hopes. Lumberton is currently in the playoff picture as the 42nd-ranked team in the RPI rankings for 7A, with the top 48 making the postseason field. Meanwhile, Purnell Swett is on the outside looking in at No. 51. As the season winds down, both programs want to use the playoffs as added motivation heading into Friday night’s game. Add that to this being one of the most intense rivalries in Robeson Cou

See Full Page