Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Hayden moved up one spot in the Denver Post’s 8-man football poll released Monday afternoon. The Tigers are now ranked sixth after improving to 2-1 with a victory Friday night against Rocky Mountain Lutheran.

Denver Post 8-man football poll

RK TEAM REC PTS PVS

1 Dayspring Christian (7) 3-0 119 1

2 Akron (3) 3-0 116 2

3 Hoehne (3) 3-0 113 3

4 Elbert 3-0 83 4

5 Norwood 2-1 57 5

6 Hayden 2-1 49 7

7 Caliche 3-0 43 10

8 Fowler 2-1 39 8

9 Walsh 2-1 26 -

10 Kiowa 3-0 15 -

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES: Soroco 14, Haxtun 9, Simla 7, Dove Creek 6, Pikes Peak Christian 4, Vail Christian 4.

DROPPED FROM RANKING: (6) Haxtun, (9) Simla.

How Joel voted

Steamboat Pilot & Today sports reporter Joel Reichenberger votes in the Denver Post poll. Here's his Week 4 ballot:

1 Dayspring Christian, 3-0 — 2011 defending state champs stay on top until they lose.

2 Akron, 3-0 — Week 2 win against Fowler was one of the best of the early season.

3 Elbert, 3-0 — The Bulldogs had a huge win Friday against always-tough Dove Creek, 38-14.

4 Hoehne, 3-0 — Farmers leap several teams with clutch 20-19 win against now No. 8 Norwood.

5 Soroco, 3-0 — The Rams have outscored opponents 183-6. Function this effectively on offense and you jump in the rankings. I had them eighth last week.

6 Caliche, 3-0 — Haven’t had much competition yet, but that changes this week against Haxtun.

7 Hayden, 2-1 — Top-ranked one-loss team. Friday against Soroco is a chance to move up.

8 Norwood, 2-1 — Can’t boot a team for a one-point loss to one of the other tip-top teams in the state.

9 Fowler, 2-1 — Bounced back from loss to No. 2 Akron with comfortable 40-18 win against Springfield.

10 Kiowa, 3-0 — Got a solid 24-14 win against Merino on Friday to go along with two lopsided wins.