By Greg Chrapek
WKTV Contributor
greer@wktv.org
When it comes to hard work, twin brothers Antonio and Higinio Rolon-Rosado are always ready to put in the hours, be it in the classroom, on the football field or in the weight room.
Seniors at Godwin Heights who have been playing varsity sports since early in their high school careers, the twins are putting the finishing touches on a high school experience that has seem them excel in the classroom and in sports.
They played football together during their athletic careers at Godwin. As seniors, the hard work they and their teammates put into football paid off with a winning season and a trip to the playoffs.
Antonio was a big part of the Wolverine offense line as a three-year starter at center, while Higinio played linebacker for the Godwin defense.
Godwin Heights Football Coach Brandon Kimble says twins will be hard to replace
“Antonio and Higinio are two of my favorite players I have ever coached,” said Kimble, also the Athletic Director at Godwin Heights. “They are extremely hard workers on and off the field, and have been that way since they entered high school. They both have great character and use it daily in our building.
“They go over and beyond to help coaches and players in any way they can. They show up early and they leave late. I have a lot of work to do this off season, finding athletes that will replace them in our program. What they brought on the field will be hard to replace, but what will be harder is finding leaders that will lead like them.”
This past football season was a big highlight for the twins as the Wolverines turned in a 7-3 record and reached the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
“This football season was very memorable,” Higinio said. “We accomplished something that hadn’t been done in a long while at Godwin.”
An offensive lineman for the Wolverines, the wins and playoff experience were not the only things that stick out for Antonio who also is an accomplished weightlifter.
“To make and host a playoff game, going 7-3 this season, was a blessing,” Antonio said. “Also, some personal accomplishments were only allowing one or two sacks my whole high school career. Also being able to bench press 315 pounds and squat 450 pounds, before the season started, even though this is not a big accomplishment to some, it means a lot based on how much time I spent practicing. Also trying to help my teammates become better at football.”
When it came to football, it was not just the excitement of game night and the winning that made the sport special for the brothers.
“It (football) wasn’t just a team, it was a family,” Higinio said. “I spent my summers and school with my teammates, even being closer with than some of my actual family.”
Football a coping mechanism
Football was more than just a game for Antonio as it helped him cope with the loss of his father.
“Football is my favorite sport because it has helped me break away from reality,” Antonio said. “It has become my way of therapy in a way. Seeing my father pass away (May 16, 2020), I was lost and in a really bad spot in my life honestly. Later, down the road I came across football and gave it a try. This was the best decision I have made, helping me with my grief and bad things happening in my life. Football has turned into even more than a therapy. I really wanted to do something with football. Putting the next five years of my life into football is trying to be the best at my position.”
Being teammates on the football team also was extra special.
“Getting to play all four years with my brother is something not everyone gets to experience and glad we ended it with a great season,” Higinio said.
Football was Antonio’s primary sport at Godwin Heights although he also is active in Esports.
Higinio is a multi-sport athlete at Godwin Heights … he also wrestles and plays baseball, and is looking to get into powerlifting.
Currently in wrestling season, Higinio has a 12-8 record and recently placed third at 150-pounds at the Fennville tournament.
“I started wrestling in sixth grade when I asked what sports I could do in middle school,” Higinio explained. “Wrestling was the only sport allowed at the time for sixth grade so I joined.”
Higinio began playing football a couple years later.
“For football, I did join for a bit in eighth grade,” Higinio said, “but what got me hooked was when I was practicing for soccer in the summer and I saw the football team conditioning and practicing, it looked way more intense. I then thought about joining to be a kicker, but liked the more contact part of the sport. I did baseball on and off, but what got me to like baseball was my teammates and friends who were on the team. It’s more of a fun sport for me.”
The physical element of football also peaked Antonio’s interest in the sport.
“Something that got me hooked into football is the contact and being able to show my strength and show people what I can do” Antonio said. “And when I put my cleats on and get on the field it’s like I am experiencing the joys of life for the first time.”
Classroom Standouts
While the twins made an impact as athletes at Godwin Heights, they have been standouts in the classroom as well. Higinio has a 4.0 GPA, while Antonio has a 3.5. Higinio also is in the running to be the valedictorian at Godwin this school year.
Higinio said that his dual-enrollment classes that are related to 3D modeling are his favorite ones and is planning on a career in engineering, while also looking to be a weightlifting coach on the side.
Antonio lists interactive classes as his favorite and includes weight training and broadcasting among his favorites. Antonio also said he would like to do something in the sports realm including coaching football or a strength coach.
Sports Fans
“The college football team I am a fan of is the Michigan Wolverines and the NFL team is the Detroit Lions,” Antonio said. “Some players I admire are Jason Kelce, Creed Humphrey and Frank Ragnow. All of these players play center and I study off of these people to get better and make my own style of play. Jason Kelce is the one I watch the most and try to take the most from.”
Higinio is more of a pro football fan.
“I don’t follow any college players, but the pro would be Aidan Hutchinson,” Higinio said. “How dominant he is at his position and how he came off an injury to still be a top player in his position, and Cam Skattebo, how he made it to the NFL while still being shorter than many others, not just making it but being a good rookie.”
Away from school and sports, Antonio likes to lift weights and play video games, while Higinio also likes lifting weights and getting healthy and doing anything active.
The brothers also have a wide range of musical likes.
Musical Tastes
“I like R & B and Pop,” Higinio said, “some rap favorite singers and Bruno Mars, Tyler the Creator, The Weekend and PartyNextDoor.”
“I like all kinds of music,” Antonio said, “but two artists I like are Rod Wave and Lloyd.”
Favorite Foods
Higinio likes anything that contains chicken or beef and eggs with his favorite being chicken Alfredo. Antonio lists Hispanic food as his favorite.
Movies, Binge-watching
Antonio lists One Piece as his favorite series, while Stranger Things and Percy Jackson top the list for Higinio.
With their high school athletic careers winding down, the brothers point to memories unrelated to the wins and scores as being among the memories that stick out.
“How close I was with all of my teammates through all the sports,” Higinio said. “They were the ones that made the sport more fun and what had me willing to push myself more. Also, some of my graduated teammates coming to support us in the offseason and during season.”
Antonio also put the emphasis on personal relationships.
“Some of the most special things about my time at Godwin were the people,” Antonio explained, “and the friendships I made and playing sports and all of the opportunities Godwin has given me.”
