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Kenny Fey

Walhalla’s Saloman Garcia makes a play on the ball during the Razorbacks’ game against Daniel earlier this season in Walhalla. Walhalla travels to Emerald tonight at 6:30 p.m. for the Upper State title game and a chance to earn a trip to the Stone Field in Columbia for the State Championship game.

WALHALLA — The Walhalla High School boys' soccer team has been down this road before.

Following a strong regular season, the Razorbacks have played themselves into contention for their third-ever apperance in the State Championship game in Columbia this weekend, all through very similar circumstances to their apperance in the 2006 title game that Bishop England ultimately won.

After defeating Batesburg-Leesville in the third round of the playoffs on Saturday, as was the case two years ago, Walhalla (18-4) will now travel to Emerald tonight at 6:30 p.m. to battle for the Upper State championship and the right for a trip back to Columbia.

It was at Frank Hill Stadium in Greenwood two years ago when the Razors, then seeded fifth in the Upper State, knocked off the top-seeded Vikings to advance to Columbia.

Emerald is once again the top seed in the Upper State, while Walhalla will come in as the No. 2 seed, and the familiarity of the situation isn't lost on Razors' head coach Michael Estes.

"It's kind of intimidating going down there because they've been in state a lot more than us, but it's kind of funny," he said. "For the kids, they've already put it past them and they're just ready to go."

Going back to the meeting to determine the seeds for the postseason, the two teams battling it out tonight could have easily played in Walhalla, as the Razors were in contention for the top seed in the Upper State.

The Razorbacks were sitting at 9-0 in Skyline AA play at the time of the meeting, but had just lost to Christ Church and Southside Christian, while Emerald had fallen to Greenwood in non-region play.

Though Walhalla did sit higher in the South Carolina state AA rankings than Emerald at the time, Estes said he didn't contest too much for the top seed, mainly because of his team's success in the same spot just two years ago.

"They had the cards stacked better with them, so we just conceded that," he said. "Two years ago when we went down to Emerald, we beat them to go to state. So this year was no different."

It also doesn't hurt the Razors that they are going in as a higher seed than the last time around, which Estes said will create some added pressure for Emerald.

"We were way down in seeding last time, but this time I think it's been a lot better going in as a second seed," he said. "There's not as much pressure on us, and Emerald has more pressure to get through it."

And though the team has changed vastly since the last trip down to Emerald, Estes said there are several upperclassmen on the roster who were able help the Razors advance to Columbia who should play a big hand in having the team ready to upset the Vikings.

"They know what it's like to get there and be there," he said. "I think right now all those seniors are pushing those kids, because this is their last year and they want it."

Included in that group is co-captain Daniel Guinn, who scored the lone Walhalla goal on a penalty kick in the Razors' 1-0 win over Batesburg-Leesville on Saturday.

The senior said his team was a little angrier the last time it squared off with the Vikings because of the difference in seeding, but tonight's game could easily be as close as the Razors' 1-0 victory two seasons ago.

"They're a great team, and we all look forward to playing them," he said. "It should be an even match, and hopefully we'll prevail."

Correction. In the article "Walhalla wins big with fresh approach" in the May 9 edition, the final goal of the Razors' 10-2 victory over Ninety Six should have been credited to senior Tom Warner. The goal was the first of the season for the Walhalla senior.