Lions switch to Nike uniforms

SARDIS CITY — The Sardis football team debuted its new Nike uniforms Tuesday afternoon during photo day for the 2018 season.

“They’re pretty sick, pretty sick. I like them,” Sardis junior Luke Morris said. “Looks a little more intimidating too.”

It marks the first time the Lions have worn a brand other than Russell Athletic since Gene Hill became head coach in 2011.

“Russell’s gotten out of the uniform business, and that’s what we’ve been using,” Hill said. “We couldn’t get replacements.

“It worked out this is a good year, because Nike and Adidas both offered some real good incentives.

“I was only going to get one set this year but since Nike offered such a good deal, we got both sets of uniforms. They’re really good.”

Sardis junior Temon Wilson said the players originally wanted Adidas uniforms because of the design options they offer, but Adidas didn’t have the Lions’ cardinal color.

“We love them,” Wilson said. “It feels great and better than Russell.”

The Lions now have cardinal and white jerseys along with cardinal and white pants.

“We’ve got a dark pant and a light pant,” Hill said. “We’ve always had just one pair. It’s going to offer some options in the colors we wear, and it’ll also offer the guy who washes a little bit better option too, because if we’re playing on a muddy night we can wear the dark pant, which helps a bunch with that kind of stuff.

“They’re the new wave, really tight-fit uniforms. It’s going to be hard for people to hold. Of course, they’re a little bit harder to get on and off too.”

Hill didn’t make drastic changes to the Lions’ uniform style.

“As far as looking at us on the field, you’re not going to see a big difference as far as the color scheme,” he said.

“We went with a little smaller [size] number on the front and the back. We didn’t dress them up a whole bunch. We just believe in having the same kind of uniform we had.

“The kids are excited about them. I think they’re going to work out well for us.”

The Lions host Etowah County rival Glencoe in a fall jamboree Aug. 24 at 7 p.m. before kicking off their season Aug. 31 at Sylvania.

Sardis’ home and Class 5A, Region 6 opener is Sept. 7 vs. Southside.