By Greg Gulas

sports @vindy.com

DANVILLE

Danville quarterback Ridge Durbin passed for more than 2,000 yards and 30 touchdowns during the regular season. On Saturday night in a Division VII, Region 25 quarterfinal playoff game against Lowellville he threw just eight passes — completing four.

Those numbers would seem to bode well for the Rockets, making their first playoff appearance since 2002. But three of Durbin’s completions went for touchdowns as the Blue Devils rolled over Lowellville, 49-0.

“Early on we were able to move the football but couldn’t capitalize and that hurt us,” Lowellville coach Jeff D’Altorio said. “We let the game get away from us.”

Durbin connected with Austin Morehouse from 33 yards out for a touchdown midway through the first quarter and the two combined for a successful two-point conversion.

The two connected again on a 15-yard scoring play with 8:22 left in the second quarter, then Durbin — who gained 1,633 yards on the ground during the season — ran 16 yards for a touchdown with 1:59 remaining. The Blue Devils converted two-point conversions after each of those touchdowns and led 24-0.

The proverbial nail in the Rockets’ coffin came when Freddie Hart intercepted a Lowellville pass and raced 47 yards for a touchdown with 12 seconds showing on the first-half clock.

“We played hard and showed a lot of poise and pride but we just didn’t have it tonight,” D’Altorio said. “They are an excellent ball club and well-coached and they had everything going for them tonight.”

Danville added two scores in the third quarter, a 2-yard run by Gary Briggs and a 71-yard pass play from Durbin to Briggs.

Derek Elliott then ran a punt back 42 yards for a touchdown in the final quarter.

Danville (9-2) ended up with 336 total yards on offense, compared to 94 yards for the Rockets (6-5).

Jesse Terwilliger gained 50 yards on the ground for Lowellville on nine carries.

“We had a great year and will grow from this,” D’Altorio said.

The Rockets had set three goals for the season: winning the Inter Tri-County League’s Tier Two, posting a winning record and making the playoffs.

“We were able to accomplish two of those goals,” D’Altorio said.

Lowellville’s 6-5 mark was the first winning record for the Rockets since 2003. In D’Altorio’s three seasons they have posted records of 1-9, 4-6 and now 6-5.