Rockford's stunning rally to win over Grandville further strengthened coach Ralph Munger's passionate respect for the power of believing.

"The power of believing is such an amazing thing," he said after his Rams came from 14 points behind in the fourth quarter to win the O-K Red Metro Conference game 27-21 in overtime before more than 7,500 fans Friday night at Rockford.

"This team continues to grow, and continues to believe. They didn't quit. They just didn't quit. I'm so proud."

Rockford won the overtime toss and decided to play defense first. The Bulldogs came up empty on three passes, and lost yardage on an illegal block penalty. A 34-yard field goal attempt by Evan Muldoon was short.

The Rams then made quick work of it as senior running back Steve Kik swept left for 10 yards and the winning touchdown.

"We had the penalty, and that didn't help, and we had a lot of those in the second half, which means you don't score," Grandville coach Irv Sigler said. "It was a tough one. You have to keep scoring on a team with a great offense, and we didn't score in the fourth quarter."

It was 21-7 Grandville after the Bulldogs' senior quarterback Buddy Rivera ran 58 yards for a touchdown. Junior running back Andrew Hawken then capped a 49-yard drive with a 1-yard sweep for a touchdown with 1:47 remaining in the third quarter.

But things had started to unravel for the Bulldogs, and roll for the Rams.

First, Rivera rolled an ankle on his touchdown play and did not return. Later, Hawken would leave the cramps in his legs, and not return.

The Bulldogs were bullish on defense in the first half, limiting Rockford to just 24 total yards in the first half, and minus-8 yards rushing. They also had scored on a 16-yard run by Nick English after he picked up a blocked field goal attempt and ran for the touchdown.

Rockford senior running back Bradd Vanderveen took the first play of the second half 80 yards for a touchdown to tie the score at 7-7.

Later, penalties would prove costly for Grandville. The Bulldogs led 21-14 when it appeared reserve quarterback Brad Iciek had hit wide receiver Mark Molenkamp with a 26-yard pass for a touchdown. A holding penalty brought it back, however, and the Bulldogs would eventually lose the ball on downs with 5:33 remaining.

That set up Rockford's 72-yard drive to tie the score on a 3-yard run by Kyle VanKoevering. A 34-yard pass from junior quarterback Spencer Klukowski to senior wide receiver Devin Brooks keyed the scoring drive. The same duo had hooked up dramatically for 39 yards for Rockford's second touchdown, and first of the fourth quarter.

"Devin is a difference-maker, a playmaker," Munger said. "The thing is, we have a lot of kids who can do those things. And they are growing, and starting to emerge."

Sigler said his reserves, namely Iciek and Drew Oosterhouse, played well. He was more concerned about the holding penalty that brought back the touchdown. He also noted that the Rams stopped them on a final drive, including Adam Lewis blocking a 45-yard field goal attempt with 4.6 seconds remaining in regulation.

Grandville finished with a 322-256 advantage in total yards. Rivera had 92 yards rushing on 12 carries when he left the game.

Klukowski threw two interceptions in the first half, but played a flawless second half and finished 11 of 16 passing for 126 yards. Brooks finished with three receptions for 98 yards.

"It must have been a great game to watch," Sigler said. "Give Rockford credit. They kept coming, and they took advantage of our penalties and mistakes."