Whitman QB Evan Smith offers balance with defenses keying on RB Zac Morton The traditionally run-first team has been able to spring Morton to 1,094 yards with a balanced attack this season. But Morton isn't the only component driving Whitman's offense. Junior quarterback Evan Smith has been able to take some of the pressure off the Whitman ground game. Against the Blue Devils, Smith threw for 106 yards and a touchdown, with the score coming on a 30-yard completion to Nolan Hanessian. "[Smith] is a nice complement to our run game," Whitman Coach Jim Kuhn said. We've been primarily a running team over the last couple of years. We haven't thrown the ball an enormous amount. This year, we've been more balanced than we've been. Smith has thrown for 742 yards and six touchdowns, putting him on pace for similar numbers to 2012 starting quarterback Kevin McGowan, who threw for 1,058 yards as a senior. Each week, Kuhn has seen teams key on stopping Morton, Whitman's all-time leader with 2,569 career rushing yards. To keep defenses honest, the Vikings (4-3) have needed to at least pose a passing threat, and Smith has been able to provide that. "He's made some great throws through the year," Kuhn said. What we're trying to do is help slow the game down for him and let him focus on his reads. He's taking what the defense is giving him. Patriots receivers stand out in loss Wootton's top two receivers once again had strong performances, albeit in a 39-17 loss to Northwest (6-1). Sophomore receiver Trevon Diggs had 10 catches for 161 yards and a touchdown while senior Jibri Woods caught nine passes for 136 yards. However, the Patriots (3-4) have now dropped three straight contests, and their playoff hopes took a hit with Whitman and Clarksburg (4-3) both winning over the weekend. Wootton's high-powered attack averaged 37.25 points in its first four games. In its past three outings, that scoring average has dipped to 11.3. Osborn shines as Rockets snap losing streak Richard Montgomery senior wide receiver Phil Osborn set season-best marks for receptions, yards and touchdowns in a single game Friday. In a 34-0 win over Churchill (1-6), Osborn caught 10 passes for 163 yards and three touchdowns. Osborn now has 32 catches for 386 yards and eight touchdowns on the season for the Rockets (2-5), who snapped a three-game losing skid.