A 2-0 start has happened often for the Lake Erie Football team — only once in program history for those keeping track.

In 2021, the Storm started 3-0. How this season’s version of LEC football plays out is anyone’s guess, but two games into 2026, it’s looking pretty good after Coach David Price’s team won at Wheeling, 23-7 on Sept. 12.

Getting to 2-0 on in West Virginia wasn’t easy. The first half was played in a downpour and with two lightning delays. The first was about 30 minutes, the second about an hour. There was a third delay in the second half for another 30 minutes.

LEC literally weathered the storm, and did what was needed to grind out a victory.

“The biggest thing I’ll say is in any type of situation, good teams find a way,” said Price. “With the wet and rainy conditions, we knew we had to run the ball.”

Mission accomplished.

Price put the game in the hands of his top two running backs, and they responded. Julian Means-Flewellen led the way with 124 yards on 23 carries, and teammate Hakeem Quran added 78 yards on 13 totes and a touchdown.

“It was tough to throw the ball,” said Price. “It was a grind, a war of attrition. We kept talking about toughness.”

Even with the difficult conditions, Wheeling (1-1) scored on its opening drive when Landon Lutz threw a 23-yard touchdown to Jordan Kaiser, and led, 7-0.

The Storm answered later in the first quarter on a Hunter Newell-to-Tyleik Maxwell 8-yard TD pass and catch that tied the game at 7-7.

Then the first delay stopped play, which is something Price has never experienced as a player or coach.

“Having never been through one of these, my biggest thing was getting the players to turn it on and off,” said Price. “The first (delay), I don’t think I did a great job. But we got better as the game went on.”

Josh Valero’s 45-yard field goal was the only score of the second quarter, and the Storm took a 10-7 lead into halftime.

At the start of the second half, kick returner Curtis Thomas of Eastlake North made a huge play, as he took the half’s opening kickoff 100 yards to the house for a TD that gave the visitors a 17-7 advantage.

“What a big play,” said Price. “Curtis is one of the fastest players in the area, and that was really big for us.”

With the 10-point lead, LEC kept running the ball and controlling the clock. QB Hunter Newell only attempted 13 passes and completed nine for 67 yards.

Quran’s 1-yard TD run later in the third pushed the Storm’s lead to 23-7.

Last season, the LEC defense allowed more than 30 points per game but through two games, the unit has given up just two TDs.

Jason Hewlett and Quinterrius Jemison each had a team-high seven tackles. Jemison also had four tackles for loss and two sacks. Anthony Anderson also had an interception.

With their nonconference schedule complete, the Storm opens Great Midwest Athletic Conference play Sept. 19 at Walsh University in North Canton. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

“(Being 2-0) is huge, and we talk about momentum,” said Price. “It feels good to be successful in last two games but now our focus shifts to the GMAC. We’re happy to be in this position, but we don’t believe it’s enough.”