NOLA Gold (9-7) Position: 5th Table Points: 53

The NOLA Gold came out of the gates red hot in 2019 and found themselves in first place for a majority of the season. After falling to the San Diego Legion on May 11, the Gold never regained their footing and dropped the final three matches to end the season on a four-game losing streak and miss the playoffs by two points. That is certainly not the way the Gold had pictured their season turning out, especially after the way they started, but the Gold have a ton to be proud of heading into 2020. They have a 2019 MLR MVP candidate in outside center Tristan Blewett, who finished the season ranked second in tries (12) and meters gained (1,386.7), fifth in try assists (8), and ninth in total points scored (60) without ever kicking a conversion or penalty goal. Fullback J.P. Eloff finished the season ranked third in both points scored and meters gained with 141 and 1,30.9, respectively. Forward Eric Howard contributed nine tries and nine-try assists to finish fourth in the MLR in both categories. Zack Stryffeler ranked second in tackles with 214 while Con Foley also ranked among the top 10 tacklers, finishing with 180. 2019 was just a taste of how good the Gold can be and still be a valuable part of their growth and development as a club moving into 2020.

Colton Strickler, Lead MLR Correspondent | Read the full article here.