Sheffield's Caden Smead was named a District 9 Small School All-Star.

Sheffield football took a number of steps forward this season.

The Wolverines won for the first time in 23 games when they defeated Cameron County Sept. 21. Then they doubled their win total Oct. 5 with a homecoming victory over Port Allegany.

The improved play also led to a double in the total of District 9 Small School North All-star selections. Offensive lineman Nick Billie, wide receiver Caden Smead, linebacker Jihad Bennett and linebacker Jacob Disshon were all recognized when the team was announced Wednesday. It’s the second consecutive year Disshon has been selected.

Billie and Smead helped lead a resurgent Sheffield offense. After scoring a total of 38 points in 2018, the Wolverines put up 145 in 2019 and scored 20 or more points four times in nine games.

Smead played a big role on the outside. He hauled in seven touchdown passes on the year and had some of his biggest games in the two wins.

He caught seven passes for 270 yards and three scores in the games against Cameron County and Port Allegany.

Of course, none of that offense happens without the big guys up front paving the way. Billie was an integral part of an offensive line that allowed the Sheffield quarterbacks, Aujamier Slappy-Washington and Walker Kyler, time to find Smead or the other receiving options. To top off the season, Billie ran in a 3-yard score of his own in the final game at Otto-Eldred.

Bennett and Disshon anchored a front seven tasked with slowing down some of the top teams in D-9. They were part of a unit that held Union/AC Valley, Cameron County and Port Allegany under 21 points this season.