THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
LD Bell High School Athletics

HURST The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a country in central Africa, over 8,000 miles away from Texas. Hop on a plane and you can get there in 22 hours. It’s not often you see someone from the Congo playing high school football in the Lone Star State, much less two. But on the same team? Enter L.D. Bell, which is the home of seniors Beni Kabongo and Joel Kayoka. They have both made a big impact on the Blue Raider program. “First time I saw them they were seventh graders at Bedford Junior High. I remember them being built for that age; they were developed already,” Bell coach Mike Glaze said. “They were real explosive and good-looking athletes.” Kabongo is a running back; Kayoka plays defensive end. “We actually went to the same elementary school,” Kabongo said. “I didn’t know we were from the same area until about middle school. We got closer and now we’re brothers.” “I call Beni my brother. Everyone always asks if we’re related,” Kayoka added. Kabongo moved to the U.S. when he was eight and started playing football in the seventh grade. Kayoka moved to Louisiana at seven and arrived in Texas five years later. “Our school is very diverse,” Glaze said. “We’ve had kids on our football team from all over – it’s a diverse population and I think it’s really cool to see them come together and get along. I think it’s a sign of America today – different ethnic backgrounds coming together fora common purpose.” Kayoka’s mother died when he was a child in the Congo and dedicates his playing career to her. “Every time I step onto the field, I say a prayer and look up to her,” Kayoka said. “I’m playing for her and the rest of my family.” “I don’t remember much, just me and my family playing soccer outside and my mom out of nowhere said we were moving to the United States,” Kabango said. “I spoke no English and was learning on the plane.” Both families wanted a better opportunity and education. “My dad felt like there was a better educational system down here. We moved from Louisiana because we realized the education wasn’t that great so we moved to Texas,” Kayoka said. “The opportunity wasn’t that well in Congo and it was rough at times.” Kayoka and Kabongo both fell in love with football at a young age. Kayoka, who first started playing basketball, watched his first football game after a church group invited him over. He was confused at what he was watching. “I couldn’t understand it. Why were they tackling each other? I couldn’t figure out football at first,” Kayoka said. “I was 13 when I first picked up a ball and thought this was it.” Kabongo was also in middle school when he was introduced to the game. “First time I watched the NFL, I liked it,” he said. “I was at Bedford when the coaches introduced me to the game and it was an instant love. I played linebacker and full-back.” Bell is 1-2 and has played two of the top 6A teams in the area in Plano East and Coppell. The Blue Raiders went 1-9last season. “This team is building. We’re trying to be a better team than last year,” Kabongo said. “We’ve struggled, but we’re moving in the right direction,” Kayoka added. Said Glaze, “Those guys have been huge for us. They came in as freshmen and quickly bought in. They put in the extra work and came in early during the off-season. Both guys show what it means to be a Blue Raider football player.”

THE OFFICIAL SITE OF
LD Bell High School Athletics

LD BELL HAS TWO FOOTBALL PLAYERS FROM CONGO THAT ARE MAKING IMPACTS ON THE PROGRAM

BRIAN GOSSET

Star Telegram | 9/24/2018

PHOTO CREDIT: LD Bell Athletics