Playing district rivals is usually an exercise that produces games at well-known stadiums against familiar coaches and athletes. It will be a little different this year for Springfield.

Like many teams, Springfield is coming off a season where unusual was the norm, which is why the Bulldogs 2021 season doesn’t sound as strange as it might have in a different year.

A glance at the LHSAA website shows Springfield was 0-5 last season, but it actually had a 2-3 record at one point with an eye on making the Class 2A playoffs. However, as the Bulldogs were preparing to start their district 10-2A slate, their final three games were canceled due to COVID-19 protocols.

Even with missing those final three games, Springfield did not officially learn it would miss the playoffs until 12 days later when the use of an ineligible player led to it forfeiting its two wins.

After so many starts, stops and distractions last season, Springfield might feel like it has been longer than 20 or so months since playing its last district game.

It has not been longer, and it has not dampened the spirits of Springfield coach Ryan Serpas.

“We’re looking forward to competing in district, and we think we have a great chance to go out and be very competitive,” said Serpas, whose team was set to play a jamboree game against Independence at Albany High last week. Springfield hosts Haynes Academy of 11-3A on Sept. 3 when the regular season begins.

It's one of four games against teams in higher classifications that Serpas hopes will have his team prepared for its final three-game stretch against district opponents Pope John Paul, St. Thomas Aquinas and Northlake Christian.

“Playing a district game is going to be like playing a new opponent for a lot of our kids this year,” Serpas said. “They haven’t seen our district opponents before and, vice versa, they haven’t seen us either. Our district opponents are all private schools, so that’s a different aspect, as well.”

The Bulldogs return five starters on each side of the ball. Many players will see action on offense and defense, but Serpas said only four will be used full time on both sides.

The players to watch include a pair of seniors — wide receiver/defensive back Britton Allen and Rick Vicknair. Serpas plans to use Vicknair at multiple positions on offense as well as in the defensive backfield.

The Bulldogs have settled on junior Seth Grand at quarterback, a player that Serpas says has benefited from the start of school and regular work at practice.

“We think we have a chance to be competitive and hopefully have a pretty good year,” Serpas said.

If they stay injury- and virus-free, the Bulldogs may do just that.