What’s in a number?
For Greysen Lincoln, the answer is just about everything. The Evergreen senior is a quick-change artist. He wears No. 55 when playing offensive tackle and switches to No. 16 when he is lined up at defensive end.
The second number honors the birthday of his sister, Elliette, who died at age 2 in 2003. Lincoln said she had severe health issues involving her heart, kidneys and brain.
“I wear 55 because I have to be between 49 and 70 or something to play tackle,” said the 6-foot-2, 205-pound lineman. “I wear (No. 16) because September 16th was her birthday.”
It also helps that the No. 16 comes in a smaller jersey.
“I get held a lot,” said Lincoln, who leads Evergreen in sacks with 12.
His number switch is unique, but its welcomed by his team.
“I’m OK with it,” said Cougars coach Rob Molholm, who was on Wheat Ridge’s 1996 state championship team. “I have no problem with Greysen doing it. Family’s very important. … He’s just a wonderful kid to have around the program, so we let him do it.”
As a regular for the Cougars (11-0), Lincoln doesn’t miss many snaps, so he has to change about as quickly as Clark Kent to Superman, and there are no phone booths on the sideline. He gets a lot of practice, so he’s learned to make it quick.
“Everybody was thinking it would be this big operation to get a jersey off me. It’s not.”
Only three weekends remain in the season.
There will be a state championship game (in 6-man) this week among 19 playoff games. Evergreen, seeded No. 2 in Class 3A, plays in the quarterfinals against Fort Morgan, which surprised Holy Family 35-18. The Cougars are fresh from a 24-7 home victory over Glenwood Springs — their first win in the postseason since 1999.
Lincoln called that victory one of his biggest thrills in football. Once again this week, he will attract some attention by switching numbers. But he embraces the support and relishes the opportunity to do it for at least one more game.
“It’s a very sentimental thing,” he said. “It helps me play, helps me have something to look forward to, to play for and come out every day.”
Neil H. Devlin: ndevlin@denverpost.com or
Playoff schedule
Friday and Saturday games (Most dates, times and sites TBA)
CLASS 5A quarterfinals
Fountain-Fort Carson vs. Grandview, Saturday, 1 p.m., Legacy Stadium
Valor Christian vs. Pomona
Fairview vs. Ralston Valley
Cherry Creek at Regis Jesuit
CLASS 4A quarterfinals
Windsor vs. Pine Creek
Pueblo South vs. Falcon
Montrose vs. Broomfield
Longmont vs. Fort Collins
CLASS 3A quarterfinals
Discovery Canyon vs. Delta
Pueblo East vs. Palisade
Rifle vs. Roosevelt
Evergreen vs. Fort Morgan
CLASS 2A semifinals
Brush vs. Eaton
Kent Denver vs. Platte Valley
CLASS 1A semifinals
Resurrection Christian vs. Paonia
Meeker vs. Buena Vista
8-MAN semifinals
Granada vs. Dayspring Christian
Simla vs. Caliche
6-MAN championship
Eads vs. Arickaree/Woodlin
