Who knew these guys would have a defense?

After a 2010 season in which Davis High was shredded for an average of 430 yards per game, coaches knew there would be improvements … but this?

In a 28-12 victory over Sacramento on Friday, the Blue Devils allowed 134 yards rushing and passing to the Dragons — a team that pushed almost 350 on the locals last year.

Two weeks ago, poor Armijo was held to just 115 total yards by the much-improved DHS defense.

While defensive coordinator Randy Malmgren’s new-look set starts with a rocket-launched quartet of gap-charging linebackers, it’s in the secondary where play seems the most improved.

“The (players) were young last year. I don’t think they understood,” admitted Ty Brown, the locals’ defensive backs coach. “Now they’re locked in to what they’re being taught. It’s a work ethic and their attitude that’s letting them get it done.”

With Adam King and Marcus Charles at cornerback and David Coronado and Ahmari Hayes at safety, Davis has yet to allow a touchdown pass.

At 2-0 for the first time since 2007, the Blue Devils showed Friday just how much they’ve improved.

Twice in the fourth period, the Dragons were knocking on the door.

Once, still trailing 28-0, Sacramento went on a 14-play, 5:23 drive that resulted in pounded sand. Once at the Davis 10, the defense stiffened.

King made a stop on a Dragon run up the middle, then — when Sac High was facing a fourth-and-goal from the four — Brown’s secondary so locked up its opposition that quarterback Josiah Johnson’s pass to Jalen Angel would have had to go through three Devil defenders to find paydirt.

Later, with the score 28-12 and the game flickering to a close, DHS ended on that strong note that Brown and head coach Steve Smyte like to see.

On first-and-goal at the Devil nine, Johnson-to-Angel netted but three yards. A second-down throw to Amos Amos was zinged out of the end zone. Pressure from linebackers Grant Dickerson and J.C. Roeckl-Navazio forced the issue.

Then, free safety Coronado knocked away a perfect toss to Angel.

With the crowd of 1,500-plus on its feet, Sacramento spread wide and let ’em roll on fourth down. Johnson’s last-gasp pass was defended by Hayes and, for the second straight week, Davis quarterback Shayne Reagan would take a victory knee as the horn sounded.

“We’re more disciplined,” Hayes said. “But we still have to watch the receivers and those inside cuts. We have to get our eyes on the QB, but we’ll be fine. Our (defense) was excellent (Friday) … better than (against) Armijo.”

Brown added: “We’ve got guys back there with some swagger. It’s all about communication and trust. The kids are dialed in.”

So, can this DHS secondary play with the Big Dogs of the Delta Valley Conference?

“Of course we can,” Hayes responds, looking at his questioner with surprise. “Yes.”

Notes: Health was an issue for Davis a year ago. After a loss to these same Dragons in Week 2, the Devils already were starting to get thin in the secondary. This summer, DHS started the season with a question mark after safety Nick Jenness suffered a season-ending knee injury. Brown says that loss is big — and that the talented senior is “sorely” missed. But Brown looks skyward in thanks for the emergence of Coronado: “I can’t tell you how far he’s come. He’s coming up huge for us.” Brown says Coronado is a good kid, “who wants it.” The same could be said for the other three D-backs patrolling territory that is no longer available to opponents.

-— Reach Bruce Gallaudet at [email protected] or (530) 747-8047. View galleries and purchase prints of DHS sports photos at http://davisenterprise.zenfolio.com

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DHS cornerback Adam King breaks up a pass intended for Sacramento’s Dale Lewis on Friday as the Blue Devils defeated the Dragons, 28-12. Wayne Tilcock/Enterprise photo

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