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Delaware high schools will have more opportunities to win state titles as the DIAA changes its tournament qualification process starting fall 2027. The new guidelines will prioritize recent performance alongside school enrollment for state championship divisions.
Some high schools and their athletes will soon be positioned to win state titles they likely hadn't previously thought possible.
The Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association will change the way it decides state-tournament qualifiers and simply have more of them.
School enrollment has always been the sole factor that determined in which division Delaware high school teams compete for state championships, except for recent changes in football. That will no longer be the case beginning in the fall of 2027.
Enrollment will still count, but recent results will matter much more in the proposed state tournament qualification guidelines the DIAA competition committee has devised. They were introduced to the Delaware Association of Athletic Directors during a gathering in the Caesar Rodney High auditorium April 21.
The new format will āchange the face of sports in Delaware,ā committee chairman Joe Thomson told the gathering.
St. Elizabeth celebrates their championship win over Sanford during the DIAA Girls Basketball final at the Bob Carpenter Center in Newark on March 14, 2026.
A teamās success rate over the previous two- and four-year periods will count as 80% and school enrollment just 20% in the new calculations.
The plan is expected to go up for final DIAA board of directors approval in June. After that, schools will learn exactly if they will be in Division I or II for each sport. A school can be in Division I in some sports and Division II in others.
The change affects 11 sports ā boys and girls soccer, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls volleyball, boys and girls lacrosse, field hockey, softball and baseball.
Of those, only three ā boys and girls soccer and field hockey ā presently crown a pair of divisional state team champs. The others have had just one. Football, which in 2022 instituted a three-division format with recent performance factored in, will continue as is.
It means, for example, that recent Division II state champions who had consistent success, such as Sussex Academy in boys soccer, may now have to topple a traditional Division I powerhouse such as Salesianum. Likewise, longtime Division II field hockey champion Delmar, despite its 2025 dropoff, will find itself competing against recent Division I champions such as Smyrna and Cape Henlopen for that title.
The DIAA will now consider recent athletic performance in addition to school enrollment for state tournament qualifications starting in fall 2027.
The new guidelines will be implemented beginning in the fall of 2027.
The changes are expected to increase the number of teams and athletes competing for state titles, significantly altering the competitive landscape in Delaware high school sports.
The new qualification guidelines were introduced by the DIAA competition committee to the Delaware Association of Athletic Directors.
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Howard players and coach Rahsaan Matthews Sr. embrace during the final minutes of the Wildcatsā 60-46 win over St. Georges in the DIAA Boys State Basketball final on March 14, 2026, at the Carpenter Center.
The changes came after a state government directive rooted in private schools dominating recent state championship competition and public schools, particularly those upstate in the Blue Hen Conference, becoming far less competitive in recent years. The DIAA is part of the Delaware Department of Education, meaning it is subject to such oversight.
The newly created competition committee was given the task of improving that situation.
āWeāve met what Sen. [Eric] Buckson and his original task force asked us to do,ā Thomson said, āwhich was to come up with a system that is objective, measurable and consistent and will increase the amount of participants in state tournaments and give more schools an opportunity to win a state championship.ā
Presently, 46% of the stateās high schools fill 214 state tournament slots, Thomson said. After the changes take effect, 51 high schools will be represented in 248 tournament slots.
Katie Godfrey, the Salesianum athletic director who is on the competition committee, told the group itās clear some larger public schools will be down in Division II while some smaller Division II private schools are destined for Division I.
Smyrna manager Simone Johnson receives her medal to cheers from the players after Smyrnaās 1-0 double overtime win in the DIAA Division I state field hockey championship against Cape Henlopen, Nov. 7, 2025 at Rullo Stadium.
Possible examples will likely be traditional girls basketball powerhouses St. Elizabeth, Sanford, Ursuline and Caravel, each a smaller private school, being in Division I. Same with Sanford in boys basketball.
Delaware and Kentucky are presently the only states that still crown one basketball team champ, Thomson said.
The committee has not yet determined what will happen with the sports that have both individual and team championship competition, which are cross-country, indoor track, wrestling, swimming, outdoor track, tennis and golf. Cross-country and outdoor track presently award divisional team and individual state champions. Wrestling does for teams, but not individuals. The others have just one division.
Competition committee members have regularly appeared during Blue Hen, Henlopen, Independent and Diamond State conference meetings to brief athletic directors on the plans. At the April 21 gathering, Thomson detailed qualification formulas.
All 11 sports will use the same mathematical formulas to determine both divisional classification and state tournament qualifiers. Previously, every sport had its own system.
From left, Salesianum seniors Chase Esser (17), Joseph Turtoro (10) and Noah Nemeth (24) celebrate Esser's goal against Caesar Rodney during the DIAA Boys Division I Soccer Tournament championship game at Dover High in Dover on Nov. 15, 2025. Salesianum won 3-0.
The plan, based on the number of schools presently playing each sport, calls for two eight-team boys lacrosse, girls lacrosse and boys volleyball tournaments; two 12-team field hockey brackets; and Division I and II 14-team fields in girls and boys basketball, girls and boys soccer, girls volleyball, baseball and softball.
Higher seeds earn first-round byes in the 12- and 14-team brackets.
Roughly half the schools in each sport will play in each division. Each schoolās enrollment numbers and recent win percentages will be equated to a mathematical index. The final determination of where the split occurs will involve how far apart schools are numerically.
Salesianum players applaud during a ceremony honoring the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Salesianum baseball team ā the first undefeated state championship team in Delaware history ā before a game against Father Judge (Pa.) at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
Members of the 1976 Salesianum baseball team ā the first undefeated state championship team in Delaware history ā stand for the national anthem during a ceremony honoring their 50th anniversary before a game against Father Judge (Pa.) at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
Salesianum junior Dylan Thompson (6) delivers a pitch against Father Judge (Pa.) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
Salesianum junior Dylan Thompson (6) delivers a pitch against Father Judge (Pa.) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
Father Judge (Pa.) sophomore Mike Walsh (5) delivers a pitch against Salesianum during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
Father Judge (Pa.) sophomore Noel McCaffery (3) is safe on second base against Salesianum senior Brooks O'Hanlon (1) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
Father Judge (Pa.) junior Mike Gerstle (14) winds up against Salesianum during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
Salesianum senior Jack Bujnowski (20) hits the ball against Father Judge (Pa.) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
Salesianum junior Brady Nabb (12) swings against Father Judge (Pa.) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
Father Judge (Pa.) sophomore Noel McCaffery (9) advances to first base against Salesianum during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
Salesianum senior Chase Holston (7) advances to first base against Father Judge (Pa.) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
Father Judge (Pa.) senior Sean Malone (27) hits the ball against Salesianum during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
Salesianum junior Dylan Thompson (6) winds up against Father Judge (Pa.) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
Father Judge (Pa.) sophomore Mike Walsh (5) winds up against Salesianum during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
Salesianum junior Brady Nabb (12) advances to third base against Father Judge (Pa.) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
Salesianum junior Dylan Thompson (6) winds up against Father Judge (Pa.) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
Salesianum senior Tai Wu (17) Tai Wu advances to third base against Father Judge (Pa.) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
Father Judge (Pa.) junior Ryan Quinn (26) is safe on third base against Salesianum senior Stephen Catalina (13) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
Salesianum senior Chase Holston (7) advances to first base against Father Judge (Pa.) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
Salesianum junior Dylan Thompson (6) winds up against Father Judge (Pa.) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
Father Judge (Pa.) junior Mike Gerstle (14) delivers a pitch against Salesianum during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
Salesianumās Jake Andris (15) tags out Father Judge (Pa.) junior Ryan Quinn (26) at third base during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
Father Judge (Pa.) senior Sean Malone (27) advances to first base against Salesianum during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
Father Judge (Pa.) sophomore Noel McCaffery (9) swings at a pitch against Salesianum during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
Father Judge (Pa.) sophomore Noel McCaffery (9) hits the ball against Salesianum during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
Father Judgeās (Pa.) Jack McShane (24) swings at a pitch against Salesianum during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
Salesianum junior Brady Nabb (12) hits the ball against Father Judge (Pa.) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
Salesianum senior Chase Holston (7) hits the ball against Father Judge (Pa.) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
Salesianum players watch from the dugout during a game against Father Judge (Pa.) at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
Salesianum junior Hacim Martin (14) advances to third base against Father Judge (Pa.) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
Salesianum senior Chase Holston (7) advances to first base against Father Judge (Pa.) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
Salesianum junior Brady Nabb (12) advances to first base against Father Judge (Pa.) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
From left, Salesianum seniors Landon Johnston (10), Stephen Catalina (13), CJ Moxley (2) and Chase Holston (7) celebrate their 6-2 victory against Father Judge (Pa.) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026.
Salesianumās Jake Andris (15) tags out Father Judge (Pa.) junior Ryan Quinn (26) at third base during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
Salesianum seniors Landon Johnston (10) and CJ Moxley (2) celebrate their 6-2 victory against Father Judge (Pa.) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026.
Salesianum and Father Judge (Pa.) players exchange high-fives after a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
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Salesianum players applaud during a ceremony honoring the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Salesianum baseball team ā the first undefeated state championship team in Delaware history ā before a game against Father Judge (Pa.) at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
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Salesianum players applaud during a ceremony honoring the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Salesianum baseball team ā the first undefeated state championship team in Delaware history ā before a game against Father Judge (Pa.) at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
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Members of the 1976 Salesianum baseball team ā the first undefeated state championship team in Delaware history ā stand for the national anthem during a ceremony honoring their 50th anniversary before a game against Father Judge (Pa.) at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
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Salesianum junior Dylan Thompson (6) delivers a pitch against Father Judge (Pa.) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
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Salesianum junior Dylan Thompson (6) delivers a pitch against Father Judge (Pa.) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
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Father Judge (Pa.) sophomore Mike Walsh (5) delivers a pitch against Salesianum during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
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Father Judge (Pa.) sophomore Noel McCaffery (3) is safe on second base against Salesianum senior Brooks O'Hanlon (1) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
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Father Judge (Pa.) junior Mike Gerstle (14) winds up against Salesianum during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
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Salesianum senior Jack Bujnowski (20) hits the ball against Father Judge (Pa.) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
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Salesianum junior Brady Nabb (12) swings against Father Judge (Pa.) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
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Father Judge (Pa.) sophomore Noel McCaffery (9) advances to first base against Salesianum during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
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Salesianum senior Chase Holston (7) advances to first base against Father Judge (Pa.) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
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Father Judge (Pa.) senior Sean Malone (27) hits the ball against Salesianum during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
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Salesianum junior Dylan Thompson (6) winds up against Father Judge (Pa.) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
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Father Judge (Pa.) sophomore Mike Walsh (5) winds up against Salesianum during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
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Salesianum junior Brady Nabb (12) advances to third base against Father Judge (Pa.) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
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Salesianum junior Dylan Thompson (6) winds up against Father Judge (Pa.) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
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Salesianum senior Tai Wu (17) Tai Wu advances to third base against Father Judge (Pa.) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
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Father Judge (Pa.) junior Ryan Quinn (26) is safe on third base against Salesianum senior Stephen Catalina (13) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
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Salesianum senior Chase Holston (7) advances to first base against Father Judge (Pa.) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
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Salesianum junior Dylan Thompson (6) winds up against Father Judge (Pa.) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
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Father Judge (Pa.) junior Mike Gerstle (14) delivers a pitch against Salesianum during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
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Salesianumās Jake Andris (15) tags out Father Judge (Pa.) junior Ryan Quinn (26) at third base during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
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Father Judge (Pa.) senior Sean Malone (27) advances to first base against Salesianum during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
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Father Judge (Pa.) sophomore Noel McCaffery (9) swings at a pitch against Salesianum during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
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Father Judge (Pa.) sophomore Noel McCaffery (9) hits the ball against Salesianum during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
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Father Judgeās (Pa.) Jack McShane (24) swings at a pitch against Salesianum during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
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Salesianum junior Brady Nabb (12) hits the ball against Father Judge (Pa.) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
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Salesianum senior Chase Holston (7) hits the ball against Father Judge (Pa.) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
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Salesianum players watch from the dugout during a game against Father Judge (Pa.) at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
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Salesianum junior Hacim Martin (14) advances to third base against Father Judge (Pa.) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
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Salesianum senior Chase Holston (7) advances to first base against Father Judge (Pa.) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
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Salesianum junior Brady Nabb (12) advances to first base against Father Judge (Pa.) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
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From left, Salesianum seniors Landon Johnston (10), Stephen Catalina (13), CJ Moxley (2) and Chase Holston (7) celebrate their 6-2 victory against Father Judge (Pa.) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026.
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Salesianumās Jake Andris (15) tags out Father Judge (Pa.) junior Ryan Quinn (26) at third base during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
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Salesianum seniors Landon Johnston (10) and CJ Moxley (2) celebrate their 6-2 victory against Father Judge (Pa.) during a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026.
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Salesianum and Father Judge (Pa.) players exchange high-fives after a baseball game at Salesianumās Fusco Fields in Wilmington on April 18, 2026. Salesianum won 6-2.
Schools in the bottom 10% of Division I may appeal to be moved down to Division II.
Safety issues and incorrect enrollment and performance calculations could also warrant such a change.
Any Division II school that prefers to compete in Division I may voluntarily move up.
Yes, Blue Hen Conference Flight A and Flight B, the Henlopen Conference Northern Division and Southern Division, the Independent Conference and Diamond State Conference will continue.
Conference champions earn automatic state tournament qualification.
Contact Kevin Tresolini at ktresolini@delawareonline.com and follow on Twitter @kevintresolini. Support local journalism by subscribing to delawareonline.com and our DE Game Day newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Divisional splits in all sports coming in DIAA