2024 NCCA Football Coaches
East Team
Bill Sochovka
East head coach recently completed his 16th season as head football coach at Pine Forest High where he has compiled a career record of 109 – 99 and his teams have won 3 conference titles and made 11 state playoff appearances in that time…4-times named Conference Coach of the Year…named 2018 Cumberland County Coach of the Year…recipient of the NCHSAA Homer Thompson Achievement Award…prior to serving as the head football coach, he served as an assistant football coach (including LB Coach and Special Teams Coordinator and Defensive Coordinator)…also served as the head men’s and women’s track coach from 1996-2002…born in Scranton, PA…1987 graduate of Riverside High (PA) where he competed and was named team captain in football and track and field…1992 graduate of Susquehanna University…says “It is an honor to be selected by the NCCA board to be the head coach of the East in December 2023. I am excited to be able to coach with the other coaches who have been selected to be on the East staff. The ability to select some of those athletes who normally couldn’t play in this game in July due to their commitments to their college programs provides us with the ability to help these players showcase their talents one last time in the high school setting.”
Steve Burdeau
East assistant coach recently completed his 6th season as the head football coach at Lee County High where he has compiled a career record of 55-17 and his teams won have 4 conference titles and made 5 playoff appearances in that time…twice named Conference Coach of the Year…named 2019 910 Preps Coach of the Year and was named to coach in the 2020 Under Armor All American Game…previously served as an assistant football coach at Ashley High, Middle Creek High, Richmond High, and Orange High…also served as an assistant lacrosse coach at Middle Creek High…born in Jacksonville, NC…2005 graduate of Southwest Onslow High where he played baseball and played on a two-time state championship football team…2009 graduate of UNC Wilmington…says “Growing up and coaching throughout my career in eastern NC, it is a blessing to be selected to coach some of the best student athletes in the state. Working alongside great leaders in our profession and representing our program, school, community, and my family is a true honor.”
Nate Conner
East assistant coach recently completed his 9th season as the head football coach at D.H. Conley High where he has complied a career record of 64-39 and his teams have won 3 conference titles and made 7 state playoff appearances at that time…named 2019 Conference Coach of the Year and The Daily Reflector All-Area Coach of the Year…previously served as an assistant football coach at Middleburg High (FL) and at Chowan University and D.H. Conley High…also served as an assistant and head coach for the women’s and men’s track teams at D.H. Conley…born in Jacksonville, FL…2004 graduate of Ridgeview High (FL) where he competed in football, basketball, track, tennis, and wresting…2008 graduate of Jacksonville University…says “It is an honor to represent my family, school, program, and players past and present in this prestigious event. I am humbled at the opportunity to coach with these other tremendous coaches on both staffs and to learn from all their knowledge and accomplishments. I look forward to coaching these wonderful players that have been selected to play one last game in their high school careers. I take great pride in representing the wonderful coaches of the East.”
Cory Johnson
East assistant coach recently completed his 6th season as the head football coach at Clinton High where he has compiled a record of 61 – 12 in that time and his most recent team was state championship runner-up…has compiled a career record of 126 -19 in 11 seasons…previously served as an assistant coach (Defensive Coordinator) at Scotland High…also served as an assistant baseball and track coach and currently serves as the head track coach at Clinton High…born in Watertown, NY…2009 graduate of Jack Britt High where he competed in track and basketball and was All-State and 3-times named All-Conference in football…2013 graduate of Catawba University…says “It’s an honor to be coaching in this event with other great veteran coaches.”
Jeff Morehead
East assistant coach recently completed his 10th season as an assistant football coach at Terry Sanford High where his teams have won 4 conference titles and have 3-times earned state championship runners up honors…also coaches men’s golf — named 2021 Conference Coach of the Year and his team won the 2023 state championship… named 2022-2023 Terry Sanford Teacher of the Year…previously served as a JV and assistant football coach, JV and assistant softball coach, JV and assistant baseball coach, and head JV basketball coach at Jack Britt High…born in Fayetteville, NC…1999 graduate of Fayetteville Christian School where he was named team MVP in baseball and played basketball…says “It is a big honor to be selected to coach in the East-West All-Star game, especially the first game that is being played in December. Getting to know and work with some of the best coaches and players from around the state will help me grow as a coach going forward!”
Scott Riley
East assistant coach recently completed his 10th season as the head coach at Cleveland High where he has compiled a career record of 107-24 and his teams have won 9 conference season titles and made 10 state playoff appearances (including earning state championship runners-up honors in 2020) in that time… has coached 4 Shrine bowl players, 6 NCCA East/West All-Stars, 10 Conference Offensive POY, 3 Conference Lineman of the year…7-times named Conference Coach of the Year…named 2020-2021 Johnston County Public Schools Coach of the Year…previously served as an assistant football coach and head wrestling coach, earning Coach of the Year honors and winning 3 regular season conference titles and 3 conference tournament titles at Cleveland High, and as an assistant football coach and assistant wrestling coach at Harnett Central High…born in Raleigh, NC…2000 graduate of Cardinal Gibbons High where he was a 4-time state qualifier on a 2-time state championship wrestling team and where he was named team captain and Defensive MVP on the football team…2004 graduate of UNC Chapel Hill…says “I am excited to coach in this prestigious and long-standing all-star game as it ushers in a new age of playing the game at the conclusion of the football season for the first time in history. It will be great to work with some of the best coaches and athletes in the state!”
West Team
Butch Carter
West head coach recently completed his 8th season as the head coach at Alexander Central High where he has compiled a record of 52-35…has compiled a career record of 156-113 in 23 seasons and his teams have won 3 conference titles and made 17 state playoff appearances during that time…4 times named Greater Hickory Unifour Football Coach of the Year and Northwest Conference Coach of the Year…named 2015 Score Board Coach of the Year…selected as an assistant coach to the 2013 NCCA East-West All-Star game…previously served as an assistant football coach/ Defensive Coordinator and then head coach at South Caldwell High where he was the all-time winningest coach in school history with 104 wins…while at South Caldwell High, he also served as the head women’s softball coach, the head JV men’s basketball coach, assistant baseball coach, and head golf coach…also served as an assistant football coach at Lenior Rhyne College…at Alexander Central High, he also previously served as an assistant baseball coach and head JV men’s basketball coach and head women’s softball coach…born in Catawba County…1989 graduate of South Caldwell High where he was named All-Conference and twice named All-County in football…1993 graduate of Lees-McRae College where he played football…2005 graduate of United States Sports Academy…says “Being selected to coach in the NCCA East-West All-star game is a huge honor, and it is exciting to be a part of the history of this great all-star game. To be selected as the West head coach is one of the biggest honors in my career. I look forward to working alongside these great coaches, selecting and coaching some of the best players in Western North Carolina. With the all-star game being moved to December, it will be even more special to be a part of the first coaching staff to make the transition for this great event. I would like to thank my family: wife Rebecca and daughters, McKenzie, 31; Riley, 25; and Hailey, 24.”
Derek Anderson
West assistant coach just completed his 1st season as an assistant coach at Bishop McGuinness High where his team went 6-6, making it to the 2nd round of the state playoffs…previously served as assistant coach at Southwest Guilford High where his teams went 27-25 and made 3 playoff appearances in 5 seasons…also served as an assistant track coach at SW Guilford High…served as the head coach at T.W. Andrews High where he compiled a record of 35-18 in 4 seasons and his teams won 1 conference title and made 4 playoff appearances and he was named 2005 Conference Coach of the Year….served as an assistant football coach at Ragsdale High where the teams he coached made 12 state playoff appearances…at Ragsdale, he also served as an assistant basketball coach, assistant track coach, and head men’s track coach, with his teams winning 1 conference title and him being named Conference Coach of the Year…while at T.W. Andrews, he also served as an assistant track coach , winning 1 conference title, 2 Regional Championships and 1 state championship, and as the Athletic Director…born in Danville, VA…1985 graduate of Reidsville Sr. High where he competed in football and track and field and where he was named FCA Leader and was the recipient of the FCA – Spirit of the Ram Award and the Track & Field Sportsmanship Award….1989 graduate of N.C. A&T State University…1995 MS in Technology Training…son of educators who were incredible role models…says “Coaching in the all-star game is a tremendous honor, and to be recognized by my coaching peers is truly a dream come true. This event is a family affair for me. As a coaches’ kid, I have attended and dreamed of one day participating in this game. It’s always been an historic event and the official football kickoff to start the season for me. I would like to recognize my family: parents James and Joyce, who had a combined 79 years in education, my wife Shaune, a coach’s wife for 31 years – the true champion, and children, DeSean and Maya, and grandson, Torrence.”
Adam Hodge
West assistant coach recently completed his 7th season as the head football coach at South Point High where he has compiled a career record of 62-25 and his teams have won 1 conference title and made 6 state playoff appearances in that time…named 2017 Southwestern Conference Coach of the Year…previously served as the head women’s track coach and the assistant men’s track coach at South Point High…born in Gastonia, NC…2004 graduate of South Point High where he played football, being named to the AP All-State team and playing on the 3A state championship team in 2003…2008 graduate of UNC Charlotte…2012 M.A. in Teaching from UNC Charlotte…says “I am truly honored to be able to coach in the East-West All-Star game. This will be the first time the game has been played in December, and I look forward to being a part of this special event.”
Sam Mackey
West assistant coach recently completed his 5th season as the head coach at Hibriten High where he has compiled a career record of 39-18 and his teams have won 2 conference titles and made 5 state playoff appearances in that time…named 2020 Conference Coach of the Year…previously coached at Bandys High, Lexington High, and Freedom High…prior to being the head football coach at Hibriten High, he served as the Defensive Coordinator on a team that won the 2017 2A state championship…born in Wilkesboro, NC…2000 graduate of Bandy’s High where he competed in football, wrestling, baseball, and track & field…2004 graduate of Lenoir Rhyne University…says “It is an absolute honor to have the opportunity to coach in such an awesome event. I am very excited to work with some great coaches and athletes from around the state. My father coached for over 40 years, and now that I have the chance to coach in the East-West All-Star game, it is quite a blessing. I appreciate my assistant coaches, players, and administration here at Hibriten High for all of their support and dedication to our program. Thank you to my wife, Natalie, and my son, Kolbin , for their unwavering love and support. I look forward to coaching in the first East-West game that will be held in December; we plan to make it as memorable as possible.”
James Pillips
West assistant coach recently completed his 8th season as the head coach at Andrews High where he has compiled a career record of 40-48 and his teams have won 1 conference title in that time…named 2022 Smoky Mountain Conference Coach of the Year and Western North Carolina Coach of the Year and twice named FYN Coach of the Year…previously served as an assistant football coach, head JV football coach, assistant softball coach, head golf coach, and head middle school girls basketball coach and assistant middle school baseball coach in Swain County….named 2009-2010 Swain County Teacher of the Year…born in Andrews, NC…1995 graduate of Andrews High where he was named All-Conference in football and also competed in track and golf…2007 graduate of Western Carolina University…says “I have been married to my wife Lynette for 23 years. We have 3 children: Brooke – 19, Grant – 17, and Will – 14. It is such an honor and a blessing to be selected to coach OL for Coach Carter and the West All-Stars. I never imagined I would ever have this opportunity, and I am grateful.”
Jeff Snuffer
West assistant coach recently completed his 14th season as the head football coach at Western Alamance High where he has compiled a career record of 129 – 49 and his teams have won 5 conference titles and made 14 state playoff appearances…3 times named Conference Coach of the Year…named 2017 Region Coach of the Year…previously coached football, basketball, and track at Pound High (VA)…1986 graduate of Liberty High (WVA) where he played basketball and was twice named All-Conference in football and track & field and was a Scholar Athlete Award recipient…1990 graduate of Bridgewater College…says “I am blessed to have this opportunity to coach the game I am passionate about with fellow all-star coaches and players. Coaching is a ministry, and I thank the Lord for leading me down this path. I am thankful to my wife, Abby, my children, Savannah, David, and Sarah, and my grandsons, Micah and Lincoln, for their support through my 34 years of coaching.”