Kanga, Moses have followed similar paths to D-I football

Matt Metcalf
Posted 2/10/15

Division I football talents don’t come around too often in Rhode Island, let alone two defensive backs out of the same secondary in the same year.

But on Wednesday, two Bishop Hendricken …

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Kanga, Moses have followed similar paths to D-I football

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Division I football talents don’t come around too often in Rhode Island, let alone two defensive backs out of the same secondary in the same year.

But on Wednesday, two Bishop Hendricken standouts – Lee Moses and Power Kanga – each signed a National Letter of Intent to play D-I football.

Moses will play at UMass-Amherst next fall, while Kanga will stay in-state and lace up his cleats for the URI Rams.

In front of family, friends, coaches and faculty in Hendricken’s theater on Friday, Moses and Kanga, along with track and field high jumper Ben Murphy, were acknowledged for their accomplishments.

However, in each player’s personal statement to the crowd, it was clear that they each wanted to highlight those who’ve made their opportunities possible.

“Since freshman year, everyone here has supported me,” Moses said. “It’s an unbelievable feeling to have all of them here.”

Kanga and Moses have a lot in common.

They came through Hendricken together and never lost a varsity Super Bowl while playing for the Hawks. The defensive backs have been a vital part of the Hawks’ current run of five-straight state titles – a feat that was previously unprecedented in Rhode Island’s D-I history.

Now, they’ll still be looking to lockdown wide receivers, but this time, in different uniforms.

“It feels great, but I wish he was coming with me,” Kanga said. “I understand his choice and I respect it. It’s great, though. It shows how hard we worked and how good our team really was.”

Another thing they had in common was the dream to play college football – a dream that they’ll both get to live out.

“It’s been a dream of mine since pop warner and peewee football,” Moses said. “It wasn’t just a goal of mine to play D-I, but just college football in general. It’s an unbelievable feeling knowing that I’ll be able to do that.”

It would be an understatement to say that Moses and Kanga are excited to begin their collegiate careers.

“I’m going to work hard and I’m really excited to be going,” Kanga said. “I just can’t wait for it.”

Murphy inks NLI to UMass

Hendricken also held a ceremony for UMass-bound high jumper, Ben Murphy, with Moses and Kanga on Friday.

The senior who initially came to Hendricken hoping to play baseball, put the pen to the paper this week to continue his track career at a D-I school.

Murphy said that he owes all of his success to Hendricken and his family.

“It’s nice to have this at Hendricken because I owe my success to them, progressing over the years,” Murphy said. “My family has been great. It’s tough competing in a sport where every event ends in a loss. They’ve been there to support me and to have them here today feels really good.”

Murphy, who received All-Central Division honors for the 2013 outdoor track season for the high jump, was confident that UMass was the right choice for him.

“My sister went to UMass Amherst, so that’s where I started my relationship with them,” Murphy said. “The coaches there are really supportive and know what they’re doing. I can’t wait, it’s going to be an awesome experience.”

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