One of the greatest quarterback and wide receiver combinations in Lancaster-Lebanon League history is getting back together.<\/p>\n
Manheim Township grad Landon Kennel is transferring to Lehigh University, where he\u2019ll be reunited with his childhood best friend: Hayden Johnson.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs soon as I knew that would be an option, it was Lehigh,\u201d Kennel said. \u201cOther schools contacted me, but I didn\u2019t really pay them any mind. I pretty much knew.\u201d<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
CHRIS KNIGHT | Staff Photographer<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Kennel will join Nick Palumbo, another receiver from Township, on Lehigh\u2019s roster.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m just grateful to be able to share the field again with two previous teammates,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cIt truly is a blessing.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u2019t catch a pass and was targeted once.<\/p>\n
After such an accomplished high school career, it was difficult for Kennel to be a spectator rather than a key part of the offense.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like I could have contributed on that team,\u201d Kennel said. \u201cLooking at who was coming back, I was like, \u2018I want to go somewhere and play.\u2019 I wasn\u2019t really interested in waiting another year sitting on the bench.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s work!\ud83e\udd0e\ud83e\udd0d @LehighFootball<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/3yfZTr8TVt<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Landon Kennel (@LandonKennel) January 8, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Kennel thought he hauled in his final pass from Johnson on that frigid Black Friday night more than two years ago.<\/p>\n \u201cAt the end of that game, I\u2019d never played with a quarterback other than Hayden,\u201d Kennel said. \u201cIt was extremely sad.\u201d<\/p>\n And now?<\/p>\n \u201cIt still doesn\u2019t even feel real,\u201d Kennel said. \u201cI can\u2019t wait to get on campus with him. I\u2019m really excited to start catching passes from him again.\u201d<\/p>\n Kennel and Johnson got together for workouts when they were on college breaks. It shouldn\u2019t take long for their chemistry to return.<\/p>\n Lehigh lost its top two receivers from last season\u2019s team, so Kennel could immediately earn playing time.<\/p>\n Ever since they went separate ways, Johnson has been in Kennel\u2019s ear about a possible reunion. It\u2019s finally going to happen.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just ready to play football in general,\u201d Kennel said. \u201cBeing able to do it with my best friend and quarterback for so long, it\u2019s gonna be amazing. Words can\u2019t even describe it.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n