ORLANDO — Huddled together after a dramatic, last-minute touchdown pass, New Smyrna Beach's flag football team faced a season-defining decision. The Barracudas could attempt to tie the game from 2 yards out, or go for the win from the 10.
It took a minute or so for the 'Cudas to reach a collective conclusion, ultimately electing to avoid the potential for another five-overtime marathon like they endured last week against Spruce Creek.
"We're the underdog now," New Smyrna Beach coach Josh Vaughn said. "You don't know if you're going to catch it or not anyway, so do you go for the tie and drop it or go for the win?
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"I said it, (assistant coach John Wilkinson) said it, and then we asked the girls, 'Hey, what do you want to do?' If you've got buy-in from them, and they're in for it, it makes (the decision) easier."
New Smyrna Beach gambled Tuesday night and was rewarded with its first shot at a regional championship.
Taylor Vance rose to snag Emma Corr's pass in the end zone and sealed an 8-7 victory over host Boone moments later with an interception on the ensuing defensive possession. The 'Cudas (11-7), seeded sixth in Region 2-2A, advance to meet top-seeded Timber Creek at 7 p.m. on April 30.
"I just never want to let my team down," Vance said. "I had to put myself in the mindset, that mode, and go for it. I'm doing everything I can to help my team win."
Boone (15-3) grabbed the lead in the second quarter on a fourth-and-goal conversion. Eliana Higbie-Long snared a touchdown catch in traffic, and the Braves tacked on the extra point courtesy of an accurate throw from senior quarterback Kylie Walters.
New Smyrna Beach moved the ball with relative ease between the 20s, but stalled out three times in the red zone through the first three-and-a-half quarters. Two plays after gaining 11 yards on a scramble, Corr tossed a 12-yard TD pass through a crowd and into the arms of Mia Gazzaz.
Following a brief timeout, the 'Cudas spread the field, and Corr lofted a 50-50 ball for Vance. The junior — the team's leader entering the night in receptions (43), receiving yards (565) and touchdown catches (four) — located the ball and secured it at its highest point while falling backward onto the turf.
While Vance's teammates surrounded her to celebrate, Boone still had one chance to reclaim the lead with 40 seconds on the clock. The Braves dialed up a trick play, but Vance retreated from her safety spot and made another tough catch for the decisive takeaway.
New Smyrna Beach is the last Volusia-Flagler flag football team standing. In addition to Spruce Creek, both Mainland and DeLand exited in the regional quarterfinal round.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Cardiac 'Cudas: New Smyrna Beach goes for 2, beats Boone in flag football playoffs
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