Ofa Brothers Combine for 60 as Gaels Overpower Broncos 119-3
By AJ Clement
MORAGA, Calif. —The Saint Mary's Gaels (4-0-0) have extended their undefeated preseason start with an imperious 119-3 victory over Santa Clara (0-4-0) on Saturday at Saint Mary's Stadium. The performance
was a well-rounded display of the Gaels' offensive tempo and defensive dominance, overwhelming a Broncos side still trying to settle into form.
Beginning with the opening kickoff, Saint Mary's established control. The Broncos sent the ball location to start the match, but the Gaels returned pressure with quick ball movement and an intent to strike on the wings. The first breakthrough came minutes in when Sione Ofa ran the ball into the try zone. The Broncos did create a handful of opportunities off Saint Mary's penalties, but handling errors and penalties stalled their progress. By the half, the Gaels held a 49 point advantage, controlling the match's tempo and territory.
Santa Clara's lone highlight came four minutes into the second half, when a Gaels penalty allowed the Broncos to convert a penalty kick that brought the score to 54-3. The score did little to slow Saint Mary's momentum. The Gaels responded with increased physicality, winning collisions at the breakdown and maintaining possession deep in Broncos territory. The Broncos were repeatedly driven back by the Gaels' forwards, and any attempts to build phases were denied by disciplined Gaels pressure. The lone statistical blemish came on conversions, where the Gaels turned in an atypically low 33% on an otherwise dominant afternoon. As the match approached its conclusion, the Gaels looked to fresh legs to continue exploiting gaps. Both Kieran Tingin and Jonathan Solomon were able to score tries, allowing the final score to reach 119-3 in favor of Saint Mary's.
The match honors, however, belonged to the Ofa brothers, who combined for 60 points and provided the spark behind the Gaels' relentless offense. The number 8 Sione Ofa delivered a three-try performance, controlling the center of the field and repeatedly breaking the gain line. His ability to generate forward momentum in early phases created the platform that allowed the Gaels' backs to thrive. Right wing Siale Ofa kept his preseason momentum going, scoring 9 tries, a display of his elite finishing ability, pace, and positioning. With 16 tries so far in the preseason, he has demonstrated that he is one of the most dangerous scoring threats in the country.
The Gaels' overall team performance was equally impactful. Prop John Henry Rouse delivered one of the most physical outings of the afternoon, winning collisions on defense and pushing the ball forward around the fringes. The Saint Mary's pack as a whole controlled the match, establishing the platform that allowed the backs to dictate the match's rhythm. With the victory, Saint Mary's continues to build momentum toward the heart of the preseason. The Gaels know that strong early-season performances are crucial for national tournament seeding, and Saturday's showing reinforced the depth, discipline, and attacking firepower that define their championship aspirations.
Up Next
The Gaels will host Bay Area opponent East Palo Alto on Saturday, December 13. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM.