One North Carolina high school website, simmonsratings.com, predicts the outcomes of games across the state.

Despite a percentage this week of 87 predicted correctly, one it did not guess right was Albemarle’s homecoming game Friday against 2A Mount Pleasant.

Predicting the Tigers would win by 17, Albemarle stepped up and earned a 26-21 victory.

The win for Albemarle (3-5, 1-1 YVC) means the Bulldogs have a chance to earn a first-round home playoff game, something the school has not had since 2013.

Kaine McLendon led the Bulldogs with 115 rushing yards on 17 carries with a touchdown, while Malik Watkins added 87 yards on 10 rushes and two TDs.

Quarterback Ander Artis was 17-of-31 for 166 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions. Senior Jaylen Pinkney hauled in Artis’s TD pass.

On defense, Albemarle’s Kareem McLendon and Tyquan McDonald led with 12 tackles; three of McDonald’s tackles were for a loss. McDonald also added three sacks while McLendon had a fumble recovery. Malik Watkins recovered a fumble for the Bulldogs and Ja’Zyion Geiger had an interception.

Trailing 14-12 through three quarters, the Bulldogs outscored Mount (5-3, 2-1) 14-7 in the final period for the win.

Albemarle head coach Richard Davis said Friday’s victory was “a huge win for the Bulldogs. I’m proud of the fight and determination our guys showed…our boys gave us everything they had and then some. It’s a win that gives us the chance to control our own fate now. We just have to continue to improve each and every day.”

The win snaps a three-game losing streak in the overall series to the Tigers; Albemarle leads the series 20-11.

Albemarle hosts Union Academy (1-7, 0-2) this Friday night and wraps up the regular season Oct. 28 at North Stanly.