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October 19, 2019

Stamps Down Bombers

The line on Reggie Begelton: Four catches. Three TDs.

That’s what’s known as being money.

Cutting inside to leave Winnipeg DB Marcus Sayles clawing at air, the gifted slotback, enjoying a breakout season, sailed in for the winning touchdown from 17 yards away as the Calgary Stampeders edged the Blue Bombers 37-33 in front of 26,885 fans in their final regular-season home fixture at McMahon Stadium.

Winnipeg’s last-ditch attempt to overturn the scoreline and author a dramatic finish seemed to have ended with 1:36 left, Calgary defensive end Chris Casher sacking quarterback Chris Streveler on third-and-10 at the Bomber 37-yard-line.

But after getting the ball back a minute later following a missed Rene Paredes field-goal attempt, they once again failed, DaShaun Amos intercepting a final play Hail Mary.

By fighting back to prevail, the 11-5 Stamps once again inched ahead of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and into top spot in the CFL’s West Division by virtue of winning seasonal series between the two teams.

The Bombers, also in the first-place mix, drop to 10-7 on the season.

The two rivals collide again Friday at Investors Group Field in Winnipeg.

Wideout Josh Huff enjoyed a superb evening playing pitch-and-catch with Bo Levi Mitchell, piling up 121 yards, but Begelton did the decisive damage.

After swimming upstream for what seemed an eternity, the Stamps drew even at 11:03 of the third quarter, Ante Milanovic-Litre a seven-play, 75-yard march, bulling over from two yards away.

The ensuring two-point touch toss, Mitchell to Josh Huff deep in the Blue Bomber end zone, squared the scoreline at 30s.

Justin Medlock’s fourth field goal of the evening then propelled the visitors in front again, however temporarily, 33-30.

The first half was not pretty from a Calgary standpoint.

Dropped passes. Fumbles. A pick deep in their own territory. The litany of Stampeder first-half gaffes was uncustomarily long as the Bombers motored in front 27-19 by the intermission.

A Milanovic-Litre fumble forced by Sayles was scooped up by the Winnipeg defensive back and returned 24 yards for a touchdown.

 On the play following the ensuing kickoff, Winston Rose – with his chart-topping ninth – intercepted a Mitchell toss and in quick order receiver Lucky Whitehead swept right for a 24-yard major.

The Bombers’ other first-half major arrived via a 34-yard toss from Streveler to wide-open Kenny Lawlor from 34 yards away.

For the homesteading Stamps, Begelton latched onto his first two touchdown passes of the game.