Coder’s big game is a true football fantasy

James Coder football player of week storySenior two-way standout’s interception clinches win over Valencia in CIF Division VI title game.Fantasy football has become the domain of the athletically disenfranchised, an alternate reality in which victory is predicated on the proportional productivity of others.

But Newport Harbor High senior James Coder played his own version Saturday night.

Coder, a receiver and safety, realized a long-standing dream when the Sailors defeated Valencia, 28-21, to claim the CIF Southern Section Division VI championship at Orange Coast College.

Further, Coder’s interception with 51 seconds left clinched the victory. He was also heroic on offense, adding four crucial receptions, two of which helped lead to second-half touchdowns.

“That night was really special and I was glad to be able to contribute and help my team in such a way,” said Coder, who admitted to fantasizing about making a play -- such as his interception -- that will long be remembered in Newport Harbor football lore.

“I’ve dreamed about something like that, but I always thought it would be on offense,” Coder said. “I’ve always been more of an offensive player and, before this year, I preferred offense to defense. It’s a little ironic that the biggest play of my career came on defense. When I caught that interception, it was truly amazing, almost unreal. I knew, at that point, there wasn’t enough time left [for Valencia to get the ball back]. It was the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

Coder has been making things happen since he was a sophomore. He caught three passes in his debut varsity season in 2003 and started at receiver the last two years.

As a junior, he had 27 receptions for 371 yards and four touchdowns. He followed that up with 40 catches for 449 yards and three touchdowns this season.

“He has had a good career for us and been very consistent,” Sailors’ Coach Jeff Brinkley said.

“He has been a good possession receiver for us and he definitely stepped up [Saturday].”

Coder helped jump start the Sailors’ offense in the third quarter, hauling in a 46-yard pass to the Valencia 21-yard line to key a seven-play, 70-yard touchdown drive that produced a 14-14 tie.

With the Sailors up, 21-14, Coder came through in the fourth quarter as well. On fourth-and-nine at the Valencia 28, he caught a Tom Jackson pass near the sideline. He dragged his toe behind him on the play to ensure the catch was not ruled out of bounds. It was good for a 13-yard pickup and a first down.

Three plays later, Coder helped draw a pass interference penalty in the end zone. The Sailors scored what became the game-winning touchdown two plays after that.

“As a possession receiver, it’s my job to move the chains,” Coder said. “I was glad I was able to do that [Saturday].”

Brinkley said Coder has worked hard to better himself on both sides of the ball.

“As the year went on, his route running was much improved,” Brinkley said. “He ran the best routes he had all year in his last game.”

His coach’s praise for precision routes was particularly satisfying for Coder.

“I’ve got a funny story about that,” Coder said. “One of my first practices as a sophomore, the coaches set up trash cans on the field to run routes around. I was running a route and I tripped and fell directly into the trash can.”

JAMES CODER

Born: May 8, 1988

Hometown: Newport Beach

Height: 6-foot

Weight: 185

Sport: Football

Positions: Receiver/safety

Coach: Jeff Brinkley

Favorite food: “Chicken pizza “

Favorite movie: “Anchorman “

Favorite athletic moment: “That interception to clinch the CIF [Southern Section Division VI] title game [Saturday with 51 seconds left in 28-21 win over Valencia].”

Week in review: His interception ended Valencia’s final possession, and he also caught four passes for 78 yards to help the Sailors earn the program’s third CIF championship at Orange Coast College.

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