Hergy Mayala emerges as weapon for Stamps

CFL.ca Staff

CALGARY — Receiver Hergy Mayala scored both offensive touchdowns for the Calgary Stampeders in their 30-28 home win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Week 18, and he sealed the victory with just over a minute to play with a clutch 25-yard catch on second-and-long.

The 23-year-old rookie was a first round pick in the 2019 draft, and he has proven himself to be a weapon with 186 yards and two touchdowns in the last two games.

“Hergy definitely took a different step up this week, and I think he’s continued to do that every single week,” Stamps quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell said after the win. “And the more opportunities he’s gotten, he’s taken advantage of them so it’s fun to see. It’s fun to be able to trust a guy and give him plays.”

With 16 catches across the past three games, Mayala has started to emerge as a valuable part of the Stamps’ offensive attack. Mayala said that while the best is still to come, he is happy with the progression he has made so far this season.

“It was a long road, but you know I feel like I’ve arrived,” Mayala said after the win. “I got a lot more that I can still show, but I’m definitely in the right place right now.”

Mayala’s first career CFL touchdown gave the lead back to Calgary late in the opening half against Saskatchewan, and his second touchdown extended the lead in the third quarter. But it was Mayala’s big play with just over a minute on the clock that won the game for the Stamps and erased the Riders’ comeback hopes.

Mitchell relied on his rookie receiver with the game on the line, and Mayala came through with the 25-yard catch in traffic.

“Herg has taken a step to where he’s gaining trust,” Mitchell said. “He’s gaining my trust, Dave’s (Dickenson) trust. He’s making big plays in crucial situations, and I think he’s going to continue to take those steps.”

Mayala said it was a great feeling to get his first CFL touchdown after racking up 272 scoreless yards entering the game against the Riders.

“I was waiting for it for a minute now, so getting it out of the way is definitely a great feeling,” Mayala said.

The Stamps will hope that Mayala continues to take steps as the playoffs approach, but the young receiver said it meant a lot that Mitchell put the ball in his hands when it mattered most.

“It definitely feels great every time that a quarterback looks for you in crunch time,” Mayala said. “I feel like I’ve kind of proven to him that I can do it, so for him to look at me means a lot to me.”

Week 19 will see the Calgary Stampeders host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in an important division battle next Saturday at 7:00 p.m. EDT.

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