New Diana wide reciver Jaiydyn Johnson weaves his way through the West Rusk defense during the varsity football game on Firday, October 11, 2024 at Eagle Stadium in New Diana. (Courtney Case/News-Journal Photo)

DIANA – The No. 5-ranked New Diana Eagles remained undefeated with a convincing 72-7 statement win Friday over West Rusk.

New Diana improved to 6-0 overall and 2-0 in District 11-3A Division II play while West Rusk fell to 3-4 overall and 2-1 in league action.

The Eagles used big play after big play – in all three phases – to jump out to a 48-0 halftime lead en route to the resounding win. Of New Diana’s seven first-half touchdowns, five came from a distance of at least 50 yards.

In the first quarter alone, the Eagles scored one touchdown on special teams, two touchdowns on offense and one touchdown on defense for a 27-0 lead.

New Diana’s dominance in the first half was not only felt on the scoreboard but also with a 301-92 advantage in total yards as well as on a per-play basis at 18.8 yards per play for the Eagles compared to 2.1 yards per play for West Rusk.

New Diana senior Jaiydyn Johnson showcased his big-play ability – and nation-leading punt return prowess – in the first half with three explosive touchdowns. Johnson opened the scoring with a 66-yard punt return for a score less than 2 minutes into play then added an 82-yard punt return for a touchdown early in the second quarter. Johnson put an exclamation point on a dominant first half for the Eagles with an 88-yard touchdown reception with 11 seconds left.

In addition to Johnson’s three touchdowns, New Diana also scored first-half touchdowns on runs of 50 and two yards by senior Davyon Mapps, a 51-yard run by sophomore quarterback DeJuan Johnson, and a 23-yard interception return by senior Landon Holly.

In the second half, the Eagles added a five-yard touchdown run by DeJuan Johnson and a six-yard scoring strike from DeJuan Johnson to Jaiydyn Johnson to go along with a 25-yard field goal by Christian Gomez.

Midway through the fourth quarter, West Rusk got on the board with an 18-yard touchdown pass from Troy Hunley to Kameron Brown as the Raiders avoided the shutout.

New Diana senior defensive lineman Ayden Hamilton returned the ensuing kickoff 62 yards for a touchdown to produce the final as the Eagles tallied their third special teams touchdown of the night.

Mapps rushed for 145 yards and two touchdowns on just nine carries while Jaiydyn Johnson finished with five receptions for 131 yards and two touchdowns. DeJuan Johnson threw for 163 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions with 58 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.

Up next, New Diana visits Troup while West Rusk has a bye before hosting Troup on Oct. 25.