Jonathan Bym | The Robesonian
                                Two Robeson County Bears defenders go to intercept a pass in a 7-on-7 earlier this summer. The Bears are working through practice with less than two weeks until the start of their season.

Jonathan Bym | The Robesonian

Two Robeson County Bears defenders go to intercept a pass in a 7-on-7 earlier this summer. The Bears are working through practice with less than two weeks until the start of their season.

<p>Jonathan Bym | The Robesonian</p>
                                <p>Coaches and players from the Robeson County Bears go through the playbook during a practice earlier this week.</p>

Jonathan Bym | The Robesonian

Coaches and players from the Robeson County Bears go through the playbook during a practice earlier this week.

LUMBERTON — With local high school and college sports put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the stage is set for the Robeson County Bears semi-professional football team to draw a lot of local attention.

Going through preseason camp ahead of the season opener scheduled for Aug. 22 against the Jacksonville Red Devils on the road, the Bears sport a handful of local talent on the roster for the first-year program.

Fairmont native Isaiah Baker, a semi-pro player last year turned coach and owner of the Bears, doesn’t know what to expect for that first game of the season, but he knows what he wants to see as the team practices at Lumberton High School several nights a week.

“I just want to see production. I want to see them execute. I want to see them have fun and play,” Baker said. “Of course you want to win, but you’ve really got to hit the nail on the head and get it done. I got these guys watching film.”

Playing in the Central Carolina Football League with six other teams, Baker said his team has the capabilities to do well in the league.

“With the group of guys we got, we have the potential to win the championship and then possibly go to Florida and win the national championship. That’s our goal,” Baker said. “We want to bring a championship back to Robeson County.”

The crew that Baker has faith in starts with players like Eric Graham, Deshaun Bonds, Braylan Grice and Taevion Stephenson, among others.

On top of the players, Baker has seen his coaching staff show dedication to help prepare the team in its rookie season.

“These guys are dedicated so that’s going to make everything better,” Baker said. “We’ve got a roster of 40 guys. Normally we are at about 25 to 30 guys at practice.”

This preseason has been a learning experience for Baker, who last year at this time was playing semi-pro football. Now he finds himself going through some of the same situations that his former coaches and executives went through.

“I’m seeing it first hand. Actually trying to get people to come out to practice and having to ride people about getting team fees or having their equipment. It’s a big difference,” he said.

A big hurdle the team has been trying to hurdle is getting a home field to play at. There have been several options that have been offered to the team, but restrictions at the state level keep the team from playing locally.

Baker hopes that changes in the coming months can help give the team a chance to play in the area.

“It’s just a waiting game on the Governor. Working with Lumberton High School, they have been tremendous and a big help, and they are doing everything they can to help us,” Baker said.

“We are still going to kick off our season if we have to travel out.”

The Bears have 10 games scheduled for this season.

Jonathan Bym can be reached at 910-816-1977 or by email at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @Jonathan_Bym.