DIAA Board of Directors Approves Football Realignment for 2025-2026 Seasons
DIAA Board of Directors Approves Football Realignment for 2025-2026 Seasons
Dover, DE – December 13, 2024 – The Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA) Board of Directors has approved the latest football realignment plan for the 2025-2026 seasons, impacting all three classifications of high school football in the state. The proposal was developed by the Delaware Interscholastic Football Coaches Association (DIFCA), incorporating valuable insights from coaches and athletic directors across the state. Their input, along with a thorough analysis of factors such as enrollment and roster data, historical performance, and program growth, played a key role in shaping the realignment plan. This decision, made during the December 12 meeting, includes significant changes for several programs and reflects the association’s commitment to promoting competitive balance and fairness.
Among the most notable changes, several schools will move between classifications to better align with competitive balance and program growth. This move is part of a broader reclassification effort that saw eight schools switch levels, including:
- Moving to Class 3A: Caravel Academy
- Moving to Class 2A: Saint Mark’s (reverting from Class 3A), Indian River, Tatnall, and Polytech
- Moving to Class 1A: Concord, Newark, and Delcastle
Additionally, Newark Charter, which recently completed its inaugural junior varsity season, will begin competing in Class 1A.
The realignment formula, updated from previous cycles, played a key role in these decisions. The updated formula is as follows:
- 20% Enrollment
- 30% Four-Year Winning Percentage
- 30% Two-Year Winning Percentage
- 20% Four-Year Winning Percentage Against Current Classification Teams
This formula, combined with qualitative factors such as program growth, roster size, margin of victory or defeat, and participation trends, provided a comprehensive basis for the reclassification process.
DIAA Executive Director Dave Baylor emphasized the importance of collaboration and fairness in the realignment process. “As we evaluate football realignment, our goal is to create a structure that provides equitable opportunities and fosters healthy competition. Moving forward, we remain committed to refining this process in partnership with our member schools and stakeholders to ensure it meets the evolving needs of Delaware’s high school athletics community.”
The realignment aligns with DIAA’s broader efforts to enhance the student-athlete experience and ensure equitable competition. This initiative also supports the ongoing work of the DIAA Public vs. Private Committee, which seeks to address fairness across all sports. This collaborative approach underscores DIAA’s dedication to fostering a balanced and inclusive environment for high school athletics in Delaware.
DIAA Executive Director Dave Baylor acknowledged the need for greater transparency and stakeholder involvement in future realignment cycles. “I will be recommending to the DIAA Board of Directors that we work to codify the process to ensure all Heads of School are involved and the public understands the methodology,” Baylor stated.
2025-2026 DIAA Football Classifications:
Class 3A:
District 1: Appoquinimink, Caravel, Hodgson, Middletown, Salesianum, William Penn
District 2: Caesar Rodney, Cape Henlopen, Dover, Smyrna, St. Georges, Sussex Central
Class 2A:
District 1: Archmere, Friends, Howard, Mount Pleasant, Tatnall, Tower Hill
District 2: DMA, Milford, Odessa, Polytech, Red Lion, Saint Mark’s
District 3: Delmar, Indian River, Lake Forest, Laurel, Sussex Tech, Woodbridge
Class 1A:
District 1: A.I. duPont, Brandywine, Concord, Dickinson, McKean, St. Elizabeth
District 2: Christiana, Charter of Wilmington, Conrad, Delcastle, Glasgow, Newark
District 3: Early College, First State Military, Newark Charter, Seaford, St. Andrew’s
About DIAA
The Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association (DIAA) regulates interscholastic athletics and promotes the value of sportsmanship, teamwork, and integrity for Delaware high schools. DIAA oversees numerous sports and activities, ensuring equitable opportunities for all student-athletes.
For DIAA media inquiries, please contact: Caitlin Finkley at Caitlin.Finkley@doe.k12.de.us
For more information, contact DIAA at 302-857-3365.