Worthington — It’s the kind of story that resonates: building a program from the ground up, guiding young athletes through tough times, and eventually transforming those struggles into success. While the journey isn’t perfect, progress is measured by how far you’ve come. At Thomas Worthington, the Cardinals find themselves in the midst of that struggle. Currently 0-7, they’ve faced the toughest part of their schedule. Now, with three games left, the team has its best opportunities for victory since Week 2.
It’s easy for the Cardinals to go unnoticed in a world that often overlooks struggling teams. After all, who’s eager to cover a team without a victory? But inside the Thomas Worthington program, Head Coach Michael Picetti sees what the outside world doesn’t: progress and growth. “The average person who doesn’t understand the game doesn’t see the growth that we as coaches see,” Picetti explains. Those signs of improvement and the small steps forward will guide this young team toward a brighter future.
The Cardinals are remarkably young, with 14 sophomores starting in a game that only requires 22 starters. Coach Picetti knows this adds complexity to their situation. “We currently have eight sophomores starting on offense and six on defense. We understand that we are limited in what we can do with the players we have,” he admits. Yet, even with these limitations, Coach Picetti is focused on the team’s growth. For him, progress is measured differently. “A lot of mistakes come from having such a young group, but the key is seeing those mistakes happen less and less each week. To me, that’s progress.”
It’s been a difficult season for Thomas Worthington on the field. The Cardinals have allowed at least 35 points in every game and haven’t scored more than 14. From the outside, it’s easy for journalists and others to dismiss the team. But Coach Picetti points to what only true football minds can see. “Two weeks ago, we lost by 50, but when you watch the first quarter, you see a lot of growth from our offense that night. Against Olentangy, our defense played one of its best games of the season,” he notes. Coach Picetti attributes this progress to staying focused on the present. “Each week, we focus on the players’ strengths and what we believe we can accomplish with the personnel we have,” he explains. “All we can do every single week is put our kids in the best possible position to succeed.”
Off the field, Thomas Worthington is equipping its players with all the resources needed to succeed. Every week, players submit their grades online by Wednesday through a designated form. If someone is struggling academically, Coach Picetti is ready to step in, encouraging players to share their challenges and involve him in communication with teachers. The program also offers an in-depth online tool that educates players on recruiting, NIL, and other important aspects of their football future. It all ties back to one key concept: growth. “Every negative experience in life can be turned into a positive. You have to keep building and learning. We stress growth,” Coach Picetti emphasizes.
On the field, Thomas Worthington is steadily building toward the future, always focusing on growth. “In the long run, we know we’re preparing our young men for success down the road, but we continue to push for weekly success so we can physically see that growth,” says Coach Picetti. The next two games, against Marysville and Hilliard Darby, present more manageable challenges compared to tougher opponents like Olentangy or Pickerington North. Coach Picetti sees opportunity but remains grounded in the present. “We have a few games ahead where we think our chances are better, but our focus is always on the next opponent and how our players can make gains against them,” he explains.
While a young team typically looks to its seniors for leadership, Thomas Worthington has a group of sophomores stepping up in ways that impress Coach Picetti. “Senior Liam Farley has done an excellent job keeping our guys motivated all season. He stays positive and pushes the younger players when they struggle,” Picetti notes. However, it’s the emerging leadership from the sophomores that stands out. “I’ve been really impressed by Grey Kegley, Tim Jones, Sam Shankman, Billy Burrell, and Walter Reckless. They’re great student-athletes with a bright future ahead of them.”
No matter how this season ends—whether Thomas Worthington finishes 3-7, 2-8, 1-9, or 0-10—Coach Picetti remains hopeful about his team’s growth and confidence. “I hope the players have gained confidence in what they can do on the field. We see moments when they succeed. It may be just 2 or 3 plays, but we see success. We hope that carries into next season,” Picetti says. His focus is on building that confidence as they head into the off-season.
2025 holds promise for the Cardinals as their sophomores mature into seasoned juniors, carrying the lessons learned from 2024. The growth and challenges of this season lay the foundation for future success as these young players turn their experience into strength.
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