Photo by Wake Forest University Athletics
Linebacker Brandon Chubb (48) is the acknowledged ringleader of the Deacons' defense.
BY CRAIG T. GREENLEE
FOR THE CHRONICLE
When Brandon Chubb talks about Wake Forest's
upcoming football season, he's adamant about one thing:
He's grown weary of seeing the Deacons' season end in
November. It's been that way since 2012.
"I haven't played a game in the month of December
since 1 was in high school," said Chubb. "I'm so tired of
watching teams in bowl games that we played during the
regular season and should've beaten. We're looking to
change all that. We want this season to be our time to go
to a bowl."
Whether or not Wake Forest (3-9 a year ago) can dou
ble its win total and qualify for a bowl game this season
remains to be seen. To do so, the defense, keyed by an
exceptional corps of linebackers, must play at the highest
possible level. Chubb, a 6-foot-1, 245-pound senior line
backer, is up for the task.
"It all comes down to finishing the fourth quarter," he
said. "Last year, we had some big games [Louisville and
Clemson] where we played very well on defense, but still
fell short. For three quarters, we were winning. But then
we'd give up big plays in the fourth quarter, and that's
what led to our downfall."
Chubb, a pre-season All-ACC pick, recorded 109 tack
les and 3V4 sacks a year ago. In the regular-season finale
against Duke, he finished with a career-high 19 tackles
and was named all-conference honorable mention.
Wake Forest went through a defensive make-over last
season, switching from the 3-4 set to a 4-3. Now that the
year of transition has been completed under the new sys
tem, Chubb has no doubts that the defense has the right
ingredients to emerge as one of the better stop units in the
ACC.
"We took some big steps with the new system that we
put in last year," he said. "Now that we've gone through a
season, spring practice and another off-season, everybody
has a better feel for what their roles are. With the defen
sive assignments we have in the 4-3, it gives everybody a
chance to be a playmaker."
When you take a look at Chubb's family tree, it's no
surprise that football is the centerpiece. The roots run
deep. The father, Aaron Chubb, was a defensive end at the
University of Georgia in the 1980s. Younger brother
Bradley is a sophomore defensive end at N.C. State.
There are also two cousins in the mix. Nick Chubb of
Georgia was All-SEC at running back last year and he's a
pre-season All-America for 2015. Zach Chubb played in
the secondary at the Air Force Academyiast season.
"It's a great experience for all of us to be able to share
our stories with each other," said Brandon Chubb. "We're
always chatting with one another. Not only is it a great
resource to have, but it's such a blessing. What 1 enjoyed
so much was coming back home while Bradley was still in
high school and telling him all about what he could expect
as a college football player."
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HANES HOSIERY 6-10 SUMMER LEAGUE BASKETBALL
Deacons Hanes Hosiery Director Coach Art Blevins and Coach Jeremiah
Hawks show The Deacons.
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Blue Devils Coach Josh Crippen and Hanes Hosiery Director Coach Art Blevins
show The Blue Devils.
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Tar Heels Coach Aaron Richardson and Hanes Hosiery Director Coach Art
Blevins show The Tar Heels.
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Wolfpack Coach Jeremiah Hawks and Hanes Hosiery Director Coach Art
Blevins show The Wolfpack.
Deacons top Tar Heels in Summer League Basketball opener Blue Devils versus Wolfpack
SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
Da'Mon Stokes drilled in 13 points, while Jalen Barkley added 8 more to lead the
Deacons to a thrilling 28-24 win over the Tar Heels in a packed gym at Hanes Hosiery
for the summer league season opener for ages 6 to 10. Other standouts for the Deacons
were Legend Edwards, Aquavis Hickman and Noah Bethea.
The Tar Heels were led by Damen "DJ" Pegues, who thrilled the crowd with his out
standing play by scoring 17 points. Other Tar Heels standouts were Zion Fant and
Mitrend Curry.
In another exciting 6-10 age group game, the Blue Devils nipped the Wolfpack 23
22 in a game that had the crowd on its feet. Wesley Deloatch and Jeffrey Ebert combined
for a total of 14 points, while the Mitchell brothers (Antwan and Zanni) scored 8 points
to get their team ahead. Other standouts for the Blue Devils were Tira Sims and Ethan
Bailey.
The Wolfpack was led by Evan Dunlap and Corey Simons, combining for 11 points,
while Isaiah Rogers and Ian Coleman combined for 9 points to help their team. Other
amazing players were Jayshon Reed, Jadyn Coleman, Caleb Jones and Micaah O'Neal.
Hanes Hosiery Director Coach Art Blevins said he is again very happy with the
turnout this summer. Over 100 kids are participating in two leagues, the 6-10 year olds
and the 11-15 year olds.