Apex's John Mozerka voted SBLive North Carolina Coach of the Week

Congratulations to Apex head coach John Mozerka, the winner of SBLive North Carolina's Coach of Week award as voted by North Carolina high school sports fans.

Mozerka captured 97.32% of our state-wide vote after his Cougars improved to 8-0, one season after going 5-5, with a 45-6 rout of Middle Creek. With the win, the Cougars clinched their first playoff berth since 2014 and are closing in on their first conference championship in 20 years.

If you would like to nominate a coach, please email gary@scorebooklive.com or message us on Twitter or Instagram at @sblivenc

Here are all the other coaches that were nominated for Oct. 10-14:

Kevin Gillespie, Thomasville

Thomasville has a rich tradition that has produced seven NCHSAA state championships. But the last one was in 2008 and the Bulldogs haven't reached that level in a long time.

That could be changing. Thomasville is 7-1 and rates as a serious 1-A title contender.

Cory Johnson, Clinton

The Dark Horses lost to East Duplin in the second rotund of the 2-A state playoffs last year.

They may go further this year.

Johnson has Clinton at 8-1, with the latest win a 23-20 thriller over a good St. Pauls team.

Jason Estep, Charlotte Christian

There probably isn't a more excited coach. Estep’s team just beat rival Providence Day 38-37 on a last-second 47-yard field goal by Tripp Woody. Providence Day came into the game undefeated and the Knights were able to withstand a 423-yard passing game by Jayden Davis.

Charlotte Christian (6-2) is coming off a 5-6 season. It looks like the Knights are title contenders.

Brian Hales, Butler

Hales just saw his team make a furious rally in the fourth quarter to beat Charlotte Catholic 20-19 and improve to 8-1. Wins over Charlotte Catholic are always special. The Bulldogs were able to recover despite being significantly outplayed in the first half.

Butler was 7-3 last year and lost to Mallard Creek in the first round of the 4-A state playoffs. Now, the Bulldogs are poised to win a conference championship and maybe make a deeper run in the playoffs.

Mike Wilbanks, Shelby

The defending 2-A state champion Lions lost their first three games of the season, which doesn't happen in Shelby. Granted those were three tough opponents, including undefeated Kings Mountain.

Those losses have been left in the dust as the Lions have won five in a row. They appear ready for another title run.

Chris Brookshire, Tuscola

The Mountaineers are undefeated and just snapped a nine-game losing streak to archrival Tuscola. And it was a 35-34, double-overtime thriller.

Tuscola has vastly improved on last year’s 6-5 record.