It was another Houston warm and humid night back on Oct. 5 at Turner Stadium. But them boys originally from Anchorage, Alaska were ice cold.
En route to a 49-21 District 23-6A Humble victory over Channelview, brothers Juan Lolesio and Jalen Lolesio – a linebacker and a defensive end, respectively – each found their way to the end zone.
For Juan, a senior on the Wildcats and the older of the brothers by a little over a year, intercepted a pass and found a clear path to the north end zone for a 20-yard touchdown.
Over a realtime hour later, Juan’s younger brother Jalen, who’s also a senior, got his number called on offense for a 1-yard score that went into the same end zone.
Storybook stuff as the two have been playing together on the football field again this fall.
Juan and Jalen have been making an impact on Humble football for years now and it’s all really coming together this season.
Head coach Roberty Murphy was on staff at Humble when the brothers were freshmen.
“Those guys, just the energy they bring, the toughness that they brought,” Murphy said earlier this month of what he could recollect of the brothers when he met them. “I knew when I got here that those guys would be key pieces to what we’re building.
“They believe.”
FROM COLD TO WARM
You read the very first sentence of this story correctly.
“We grew up in Anchorage, Alaska and then we moved down here and have stayed here most of our lives,” Juan explained earlier this month after another tough practice in the Texas heat.
The brothers and their big family moved when Juan was around 5 years old, he said.
Juan said the family moved to grow in a better area while Jalen remembers a big reason was their mother’s job opportunity. And the warmer climate.
“I remember living there with the family and everything over there,” Jalen said. “It’s home there. We go back during the summers. It’s always good to go back there, have fun and enjoy family time.”
The brothers, who have a family history of football players, adapted to the sport at a young age.
Juan explained that he and his brother played Humble Area Football League together and flag football as well.
Flag football didn’t stick.
“That didn’t work out for us because we like the contact,” Juan said.
The brothers moved up the ranks together and became freshmen at Humble in 2021.
A RISE THROUGH THE RANKS
Juan played a couple freshman games before elevating to varsity that first year on campus.
“When I was a freshman coming up from middle school, the experience was fast,” Juan said. “It was way faster, more competitive. More players getting at the ball. Just getting after each other and making us better and ready every single day.”
Jalen, meanwhile, didn’t arrive on varsity until his sophomore year. The brothers were back together, but playing on the opposite side of the ball.
“I got moved up to varsity my sophomore year,” Jalen said. “I’ve been playing tight end, I played long snapper my sophomore and junior year.”
Jalen had been playing on the defensive line his freshman year, but Murphy saw a different need on varsity.
“What I really respect about him and what we really needed at the time as a team was a tight end,” Murphy said. “At the time, he was a very good tight end. All-District both years.”
After his junior year, Jalen approached Murphy about switching to defense.
“I think that’s where his feet are going to be at the next level,” Murphy said of the move. “He just picked up an offer (two weeks ago) to Texas Southern. I think with the defensive line, he’s found a home and starting to grow into his own. He’s phenomenal on the defensive line. We love him there.”
Jalen has seen sporadic time on offense, mostly as a blocker. The touchdown run against Channelview was icing on the cake for his sacrifice of leaving that side of the ball full time.
“I love it,” Murphy said after the Channelview game when asked about both Lolesio brothers scoring a touchdown in the same game. “Those guys do so much and are so unselfish when it comes to blocking and all that. Why not reward him with a dive right there for all his hard work?”
While Jalen was playing on offense last year, Juan wasn’t around. For just a few months and just for a couple junior varsity games, Juan moved to another Houston-area school for his junior year.
“Man that was huge,” Murphy said of losing Juan. “He started for me as a freshman and as a sophomore. Going into his junior year, we’re like man we’re going to be a thing where he was going to fit in at inside backer. It was a big blow to us.”
Juan ended up moving back to Humble last spring and really focused hard on earning his linebacker spot.
“I came back during the offseason,” Juan explained. “I didn’t want to slack on work. I wanted to get back in the offseason and grind, get back on the field. Since I Ieft, my position was taken. So when I came back, I had to work for my spot. Every day, somebody can take your spot.”
Murphy was so grateful to see Juan return to the Wildcats for his senior year.
“When he came back, I gave him the hugest hug,” Murphy said. “He’s been awesome since he’s been back. His attitude, his leadership and he’s matured a lot more. It’s been good and fun to have him back.”
Jalen has enjoyed not only having his brother back, but also to contribute to the defense together.
“It’s good to be on the same side with my brother,” Jalen said. “We have that connection. I know him, we know what to do. The defense has gotten way better.”
SHINING SENIORS
Entering Thursday’s massive district game at home against C.E. King (7 p.m., Turner Stadium), the Lolesio brothers have their fingerprints on the team’s success this season.
A win Thursday against the Panthers would go a long way toward a playoff opportunity in the loaded district that features three state-ranked teams at the top. Humble is 4-2 (1-2) and a win away from surpassing last year’s win total. Neither brother has been a part of a playoff team.
“I think him and his brother back together – and they are both on the defensive side of the ball – it’s been real fun whenever you’ve got your brother sitting in front, keeping those linemen off of you so you can run free,” Murphy said.
Juan has 51 tackles through six games with two sacks, nine tackles for loss and three quarterback hurries. He also has two interceptions and a fumble recovery.
“It’s been really good playing with my friends,” Juan said. “We have that communication, we have that connection. Especially with my other linebackers. Demoy Carr – me and him have had a connection since freshman year and we’ve just been getting at it.”
Jalen has readjusted well to the defensive side of the ball. He has 27 tackles, including five for a loss.
“It was something new to me, but also not new, in a way,” Jalen said of reacquainting himself on defense. “Coach (Alvin) Sullivan has been teaching me. I listen and go hard.”
Combined, the brothers have a huge influence over the team. Murphy described the pair as being on time and on top of leading their teammates.
“They demand respect,” Murphy said. “Because of the way they approach the game. People respect them for the way they practice, the way that they lead and the way they get down here in time.”
Jalen will check the door for teammates wearing jewelry and to make sure they are ready and dressed for practice. Juan is the signal called on defense.
“It’s phenomenal the impact they’ve had and they’re respected because of what they do,” Murphy said.
(Chris Zorzi/SportCast Media)
