LAS VEGAS (AFLWA) – The Georgia Force was a near-unanimous choice for No. 1 in the Arena Football League Writers Association (AFLWA) Top 8 Poll, holding on to the top spot for the third consecutive week.

Georgia (11-4) received 15 of the 16 first-place votes and 126 points overall. The Force, which defeated the Dallas Desperados 63-56, is at the No. 8 San Jose SaberCats. San Jose (8-7) fell two spots following a 54-44 loss to the Arizona Rattlers.

The Los Angeles Avengers (10-5) moved up a place to No. 2 after edging the Las Vegas Gladiators 63-60. Los Angeles is at the Grand Rapids Rampage (3-12).

Also moving up a spot, the Colorado Crush (10-5) was No. 3 thanks to a 52-49 victory over the Nashville Kats. Colorado is at the No. 6 New York Dragons (9-6). New York dropped four places after it was beaten 61-58 by the Tampa Bay Storm. Tampa Bay (9-6), which moved up three spots to No. 4, plays at the Columbus Destroyers (2-13).

The Orlando Predators (9-6), who were off, remained No. 5. Orlando hosts the No. 7 New Orleans VooDoo (9-6). New Orleans moved into the poll following a 69-68 victory over the Austin Wranglers.

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.