One of the greatest quarterback and wide receiver combinations in Lancaster-Lebanon League history is getting back together.
Manheim Township grad Landon Kennel is transferring to Lehigh University, where he’ll be reunited with his childhood best friend: Hayden Johnson.
Kennel spent the past two seasons at Monmouth after making 64 receptions for 1,119 yards and 25 touchdowns as a senior at Township in 2023.
Once Kennel entered the transfer portal, Johnson reached out via text. Soon, Lehigh coach Kevin Cahill called Kennel and made an offer. The receiver took a visit on Wednesday and signed immediately.
“As soon as I knew that would be an option, it was Lehigh,” Kennel said. “Other schools contacted me, but I didn’t really pay them any mind. I pretty much knew.”
Manheim Township senior wide receiver Landon Kennel during Section 1 of the L-L League Football Media Day festivities at the LNP | LancasterOnline offices in Lancaster on Friday, Aug. 4, 2023.
CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer
Kennel and Johnson have been friends and teammates their entire lives. They played flag football together in kindergarten and began tackle football in third grade.
The dynamic has always been the same between the two of them. Johnson threw the passes and Kennel caught them. Both were all-state selections as seniors.
Johnson found a home at Lehigh, where he became the starter as a freshman and led the Mountain Hawks to an undefeated regular season and trip to the NCAA playoffs as a sophomore.
Kennel will join Nick Palumbo, another receiver from Township, on Lehigh’s roster.
“I’m just grateful to be able to share the field again with two previous teammates,” Johnson said. “It truly is a blessing.”
Kennel redshirted his first year at Monmouth and was the sixth man on the depth chart last fall. The 6-3, 210-pound receiver didn’t catch a pass and was targeted once.
After such an accomplished high school career, it was difficult for Kennel to be a spectator rather than a key part of the offense.
“I feel like I could have contributed on that team,” Kennel said. “Looking at who was coming back, I was like, ‘I want to go somewhere and play.’ I wasn’t really interested in waiting another year sitting on the bench.”
Township enjoyed one of its greatest seasons with Johnson under center and Kennel running routes. The Blue Streaks went 12-0 until they lost to Harrisburg in the District Three Class 6A championship game.
Let’s work!🤎🤍 @LehighFootball pic.twitter.com/3yfZTr8TVt
— Landon Kennel (@LandonKennel) January 8, 2026
Kennel thought he hauled in his final pass from Johnson on that frigid Black Friday night more than two years ago.
“At the end of that game, I’d never played with a quarterback other than Hayden,” Kennel said. “It was extremely sad.”
And now?
“It still doesn’t even feel real,” Kennel said. “I can’t wait to get on campus with him. I’m really excited to start catching passes from him again.”
Kennel and Johnson got together for workouts when they were on college breaks. It shouldn’t take long for their chemistry to return.
Lehigh lost its top two receivers from last season’s team, so Kennel could immediately earn playing time.
Ever since they went separate ways, Johnson has been in Kennel’s ear about a possible reunion. It’s finally going to happen.
“I’m just ready to play football in general,” Kennel said. “Being able to do it with my best friend and quarterback for so long, it’s gonna be amazing. Words can’t even describe it.”
They connected on the playground in elementary school and on Friday nights at Township. Johnson and Kennel will see if they can connect in college.
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