LAS VEGAS (AFLWA) – After taking a week off, the Top 8 Poll remained virtually unchanged in a vote by the Arena Football League Writers Association (AFLWA) with the notable exception of the appearance of the Indiana Firebirds for the first time.

Indiana (6-5) has won six consecutive games to rank No. 8. The Firebirds' most recent victory was 67-49 over the Grand Rapids Rampage.

The San Jose SaberCats (8-2) held on to the top spot after 51-43 victory over the Chicago Rush (7-3), which remained No. 3. San Jose received 15 first-place votes and 148 points to beat out the New Orleans VooDoo (8-2), which had four first-place votes and 137 points to stay No. 2. New Orleans beat the Columbus Destroyers 64-46.

The Colorado Crush (7-4) moved from a tie for fourth into the position by itself despite a 52-49 loss to the New York Dragons (6-4), who remained No. 6. Once tied with the Crush, the Los Angeles Avengers (6-4) slid a little to No. 5 even with a 62-55 victory over the Detroit Fury.

Moving up a spot to No. 7 were the Austin Wranglers (6-4), apparently not affected by a 58-52 defeat to the Tampa Bay Storm. The Dallas Desperados (6-4), who were No. 7, dropped out of the poll after 71-48 loss to the Arizona Rattlers.

Two games this week are between ranked teams – New Orleans at Austin and Los Angeles at Chicago. Other games involving ranked teams include San Jose at the Georgia Force (4-7), Grand Rapids (1-9) at Colorado, New York at the Philadelphia Soul (4-6), and Arizona (6-5) at Indiana.

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.