The 2026 boys soccer season in Robeson County is set to begin next week, bringing together four programs — Lumberton, Purnell Swett, Red Springs and St. Pauls — each eager to stake its claim on the local and state stage.
Lumberton enters the campaign under first‑year head coach George Zindros, who inherits a program shaped by the long‑tenured Kenny Simmons, a coach who captured fifteen conference titles. Zindros plans to blend a young core with seasoned leaders, targeting players such as Josue Trenado, John Dineat, Connor Zindros and Bryan Flores.
The Lumberton Bulldogs open with a home contest against West Bladen on Wednesday at 6 p.m., a test that will reveal how quickly the new system can gel.
Purnell Swett, coming off an 8‑13‑2 record, returns with head coach Kevin Locklear at the helm and a clear objective: reclaim a spot in the state playoffs. The team’s engine includes goalkeeper Branlon Brooks, who earned conference Goalkeeper of the Year honors, alongside Braylon Locklear, Jacolby Locklear and Cy Moore.
Purnell Swett’s first test arrives on Saturday when they host East Bladen at 5 p.m., followed by road games against Whiteville and Laney later in the week.
Red Springs welcomes a new head coach, Benjamin Vargas, whose ambition is to win every match, capture the Robeson Cup, and push deep into the playoffs. The squad features returning standouts Alexis Cortes, Elias Rueda and Edgar Lopez, as well as promising freshmen Angel Acosta, Carlos Gomez, Ivan Cruz and Angel De Jesus.
The Red Springs Rockets open the season in the Battle for the Bell tournament against Jack Britt on Monday, a rivalry that promises early fireworks.
St. Pauls is rebuilding after losing eight seniors, yet the program retains high expectations to win the conference and make a state‑playoff run despite youth and inexperience. Their opening non‑conference game at home against Cape Fear is scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m.
Across the county, each team has identified distinct goals — whether it is Lumberton’s blend of youth and experience, Purnell Swett’s playoff push, Red Springs’ dominance, or St. Pauls’ resurgence — setting the stage for a competitive season filled with local rivalries and promising performances.
Key Players to Watch
Among the standout athletes, Branlon Brooks’s shot‑stopping will be pivotal for Purnell Swett, while George Zindros’s son Connor Zindros and Bryan Flores are expected to anchor Lumberton’s midfield. For Red Springs, the attacking trio of Cortes, Rueda and Lopez will be watched closely, and St. Pauls will look to freshmen such as Angel Acosta to make an immediate impact.
Schedule Snapshot
The early schedule features a mix of home and away fixtures, with Lumberton’s Wednesday showdown against West Bladen, Purnell Swett’s Saturday clash with East Bladen, and Red Springs’ Monday tournament opener against Jack Britt. St. Pauls will host Cape Fear later that same evening, providing a busy opening week for all four programs.