For the first time in 18 seasons, Pine Forest High School will have a new head coach leading its varsity football team.

On Monday, the school announced that William Sochovka has retired. He reached his 30 years of service as a teacher and coach with Cumberland County Schools. Bill took over the Pine Forest varsity football program ahead of the 2006 season. He immediately led the Trojans to an 8-4 overall record and a playoff appearance.

Sochovka’s Pine Forest teams reached double-digit wins four teams: in 2013, 2018, 2021, and 2022. He led them to the third round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4A East playoffs in the 2022 season.

Over his 18 seasons, Sochovka’s teams had a combined 114 wins to 106 losses, according to CarolinaPreps.com.

He had the honor of serving as a head coach in the 2023 N.C. Coaches Association East-West All-Star Football Game. He also served as an assistant in that game in 2016 and as an assistant on the 2024 N.C. Shrine Bowl staff.

Pine Forest is coming off of a 5-6 overall finish with a 4-3 conference record in 2024. The Trojans made the playoffs but fell to Apex Friendship on the road in the first round.

With an average daily membership of 1,720 students in 2024, Pine Forest is set to be a 7A school after the NCHSAA realigns into eight classifications for the 2025 school year.

Here is the full release from Pine Forest High School:

William ‘Bill’ Sochovka announces retirement from Pine Forest High School after 30 years as a teacher/coach with Cumberland County Schools.

Coach Sochovka has served as the head football coach at Pine Forest for 18 years. Bill Sochovka, the esteemed head coach of the Trojans, today announced his retirement from the team and teaching, effective July 1, 2025. During his tenure, Coach Sochovka led the Trojans to four conference championship titles, consistently demonstrating a commitment to excellence and player development.

‘It has been an incredible privilege to coach at Pine Forest and to work with such talented athletes,’ said Coach Bill Sochovka. ‘Thank you to my Pine Forest family for the support and love over the last 30 years. I am going to miss walking the hallways and the fields of Pine Forest. I treasure all of the memories made.’

Mandy McMillan, Pine Forest Athletic Director, expressed gratitude for Coach Sochovka’s contributions: ‘Coach Sochovka is leaving an indelible mark on our program and the lives of countless student-athletes. We are deeply appreciative of his dedication and wish him all the best in his retirement.’

A search for a new head coach will begin immediately.