The No. 5 Washington Vikings rallied in the second half of Saturday’s 12U playoff game, but the No. 1 Washington Dolphins managed to hang on for the win. Coach Ray Pippin told the Dolphins that, despite leading 12-0 at halftime, they needed to win it in the second half. He encouraged them to play the game like it was a scoreless tie.

That didn’t pan out as well as he would have liked. The Vikings pitched a second-half shutout, but the Dolphin defense was able to erase some mistakes en route to the win.

“The defense has been great for us all year,” Pippin said. “You always hear ‘offense wins ball games and defense wins championships.’ We’ve got a strong defensive team and that was big for us.”

The two teams each turned the ball over on downs to start the second half. The Dolphins fumbled the ball away immediately after they took over at their own 30-yard line. Terry Moore bailed them out when he picked off Viking Christopher Carter on the next play.

Moore and Wallace Burrus helped the Dolphins march into scoring position. However, the offense stalled out at the Viking 12-yard line.

The Vikings, trailing 12-0 in the fourth quarter, took over deep in their own territory. It didn’t take long for them to cut into the deficit. Zabrian Moore rumbled 60 yards for a touchdown that cut the Dolphin lead to 12-6.

“I told them to get their heads up,” Pippin said. “Big plays are going to happen. You’ve just got to get your head up and play the next play. The biggest thing is, when I look down the sidelines after a play like that, I want my kids engaged and back in the game. They can’t worry about it because there’s nothing you can do about it now.”

The Dolphins used the next possession to let the clock wind down. Chase Williams started the drive with a 20-yard reception on a screen pass. Moore picked up another first down with a 10-yard rush to the left. They escaped with the win after taking a couple of knees to let time expire.

The Dolphins struck first in the opening period. Burrus put them in scoring position via a 21-yard run. He ran 15 yards into the end zone shortly thereafter.

The Vikings hoped to answer on the ensuing drive. Moore’s long return set them up at their 35-yard line, but they fumbled it away two plays later. The Dolphins gave it right back to them with another fumble, but the Vikings couldn’t capitalize. Moore ripped off a 20-yard run to try and spark the offense. They ended up punting it away.

Even though they were pushed back, the Dolphins were able to score the game-winning touchdown on the subsequent drive. Moore picked up chunks of yardage on the ground before Devlen Morris scored from 13 yards out.

The win marks the end of the Vikings’ season and secures the Dolphins a spot in next weekend’s Super Bowl.

“I’m excited! Two years in a row and I’m glad to be here,” Pippin said.