LAS VEGAS (AFLWA) – The San Jose SaberCats maintained the top ranking in the latest Top 8 Poll released by the Arena Football League Writers Association (AFLWA), but two other teams are right behind.

The No. 2 New Orleans VooDoo and No. 3 Chicago Rush received the remaining first-place votes. San Jose (5-1) had 15 first-place vote and 167 points, New Orleans (6-1) had five and 147, and Chicago had two and 144.

San Jose stayed on top after a 79-62 victory over the Las Vegas Gladiators. The No. 2 position opened when the Dallas Desperados (5-2) lost to the Los Angeles Avengers and fell to No. 6. Los Angeles (4-2) moved up three places to No. 4.

Dallas' loss allowed New Orleans and Chicago to each move up a spot. The VooDoo defeated the Arizona Rattlers 49-45, and the Rush beat the Orlando Predators 58-15.

The Colorado Crush (5-2) moved up a spot to No. 5 following its 40-33 victory over the Philadelphia Soul. Moving into the poll at No. 7 were the Austin Wranglers (4-2), who were 70-58 winners over the Detroit Fury.

Staying at No. 8 were the New York Dragons (4-3), who defeated the Columbus Destroyers 62-41. The Georgia Force (4-3) dropped from No. 5 to out of the poll following a 73-36 loss to the Indiana Firebirds.

This week, Los Angeles plays at San Jose in the only game between ranked teams. Other games involving ranked teams include the Carolina Cobras (3-4) at New Orleans, Detroit (2-4) at Chicago, Arizona (3-4) at Colorado and Philadelphia (3-4) at Austin. New York is off.

The AFLWA, founded at the start of the 2004 season, is a national organization made up of media members who cover the Arena Football League. Mark Anderson of the Las Vegas Review-Journal is the AFLWA's founder and executive director.

Only members are eligible to vote in the weekly poll. Click here to download a membership application. The fee is $25 through April 15.