There aren’t many things in a football game that can ignite a team or deflate hopes quite like a kickoff return for a touchdown.

Coach David Price can attest to that. Because of it, he’s thankful Curtis Thomas is on his team.

The Eastlake North graduate, slot receiver and kickoff returner for the Storm made a huge play in his team’s 23-7 win at Wheeling on Sept. 12.

With his team in front at halftime, 10-7, LEC was set to receive the second-half kickoff. Seconds after that happened, Thomas was gone 100 yards to the house in a game that had three delays because of inclement weather.

“That was a major emphasis in winning that football game,” said Price.

In a blink, LEC led, 17-7, and never looked back en route to a victory that pushed the Storm to just its second-ever 2-0 start to a season in program history.

A lot went into the victory. LEC’s running back tandem of Julian Means-Flewellen and Hakeem Ouran combined for 196 rushing yards and the defense played its second straight solid game, but there’s no denying the impact of Thomas’ big play on special teams.

.@LakeErieFB coach @CoachDPrice on kickoff returner Curtis Thomas of Eastlake North and the impact of special teams. Last week, Thomas returned a kickoff 100 yards for a TD vs Wheeling. @LakeErieStorm @NHPreps pic.twitter.com/ZQekHZrlCO

— Mark Podolski (@mpodo) September 17, 2026

“Our program’s talked a ton about momentum,” said Price. “Being able to come out and immediately put six points on the board was huge for us. That was a major emphasis in winning that football game.”

Thomas’ 100-yard kickoff return earned him Special Teams Player of the Week honor in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. Last season during his first year in Painesville, Thomas also had a school-record 93-yard reception, so the evidence of his big-play ability was already in place.

“He’s electric, I promise you,” Price said about Thomas. “When you start talking about who Curt is, that’s his personality. Every single aspect of his play is electric. He’s a guy that anytime he touches the football, he has a chance to break one.”

Thomas (5-foot-9, 160 pounds) originially committed and attended FCS playoff contender South Dakota out of North for two seasons. In high school, he was a running back, wide receiver, cornerback and safety.

While at South Dakota, Thomas said it was a time for him to “learn and grow.” Eventually, being so far from home prompted him to reassess and return to Northeast Ohio to find a “better fit.”

“It gave me more support from my family,” said Thomas.

Thomas’ ties to LEC could be traced back to when he was a sophomore at North. He attended a football camp at LEC, and also participating was former Euclid standout Howard Drake, who is now the Storm’s wide receivers coach. When Thomas’ name popped into the transfer portal, a natural connection was there between the two.

Thomas’ big draw is his speed and elusiveness. Price said Thomas’ has been clocked in the 40-yard dash in the 4.4-second range.

“It’s a good feeling when you know you have a different gear,” said Thomas about his speed.

Up next for LEC is its GMAC opener at Walsh University in North Canton, and a chance to start 3-0. Price’s message to his team is to take up everything another notch.

“Conference play is the beginning of our playoffs,” said Price. “Every single week is our Super Bowl. That’s how we’re preparing. … We have to make more noise. We have to speak louder, and make in impact on Saturdays.”

Lake Erie at Walsh University

What: GMAC opener for both teams

When: 7 p.m., Sept. 19

Where: Larry Staudt Field, North Canton

Records: LEC 2-0; Walsh 2-0