Manheim Township eases past Cedar Crest to remain unbeaten
2023 Berks football coverage presented by
Utilities Employees Credit Union
(This story was produced by LNP/Lancasteronline, and published in partnership with MikeDragoSports.com.)
By John Walk — LNP/Lancasteronline
Owen Marks was in sixth grade when he watched older brother Sean start on the offensive line for Manheim Township’s 2018 football squad. That team won the Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1 crown and reached the District 3 Class 6A semifinals.
Five years later Owen is a Manheim Township junior and the first-year starting center for the Blue Streaks, wearing the same No. 53 jersey Sean wore.
“It’s like a dream come true,” Marks said.
Marks was part of an O-line unit that overcame adversity Friday night en route to another Manheim Township blowout, this one a 42-0 Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1 rout over Cedar Crest.
The unbeaten Blue Streaks (3-0, 7-0) entered the night without starting sophomore left guard Will Milazzo (sprained ankle); junior lineman Greg Gillespie stepped. Manheim Township churned out 200 rushing yards on 33 attempts while providing protection for quarterback Hayden Johnson, who dazzled again.
“I’m just proud of our guys,” Marks said.
Marks also overcame a hurdle in that his first snap from scrimmage went over the head of Johnson. Two of the next four Manheim Township plays also went backwards, leading to the team’s only punt.
“Don’t flinch; that’s the key,” Manheim Township coach Mark Evans said. “I’ve been anxious to see us get into some adverse situations to see how we’re going to respond. You’ve been cutting through everybody like a hot knife through butter. . . getting a little frustrated because they all want success.”
Cedar Crest (2-2, 5-2) got to the Streaks’ 35-yard line on its first possession but never got any closer the rest of the night.
The Streaks scored every time they touched the ball after that. Johnson was 12-for-12 for 193 yards and four touchdowns through the air to go along with 78 yards on eight carries and a score on the ground, including a 45-yard run in the second half on a possession that later led to paydirt.
Standout Manheim Township wide receiver Landen Kennel, already the program’s career TD receptions leader, had three TD catches in the first half to set the Streaks’ single-season mark. He has 19 TD receptions, surpassing the record set in 2004 by George Eager, now the Hempfield coach.
“I’ve been playing since I was in the youth program,” Kennel said. “(The single-season record) means something. But I’m more focused on the season and the team winning games.”
Kennel’s performance came on a night when Manheim Township got a visit from one of its former stud wideouts, Anthony Ivey, who is now playing at Penn State.
Speaking of which, the Penn State football equipment manager is Sean Marks, who is using the gig as an internship as he works towards a bachelor’s degree in sports management.
Meanwhile, younger brother Owen is back in Neffsville, living up to the family reputation that preceded him.
“It’s great having had a brother who played ahead of you,” Marks said. “Watching him, it feels great for his legacy, taking his number.”
