CAL President Mike Gatley Talks About Turkey Day Rivalries and Possible Affiliation With Colonial League

There's nothing quite like Thanksgiving.

Food, family and football dominate a day that's been America's tradition no matter what religious or political ideas you believe in.

High school football is apart of that tradition in South Jersey and the Cape-Atlantic League.

Rivalries such as: Holy Spirit/Atlantic City, Mainland/EHT and Millville/Vineland have been around for decades and always bring out alumni and former players alike as any of them are home for the holidays.

Former player and current CAL President Mike Gatley phoned into our special Thanksgiving Day coverage to reminisce about his playing days as a Mainland Mustang and what playing on this day meant to his high school football career.

Gatley also talks about the potential affiliation the CAL expects to have next season with the Colonial Football League, with a possible super conference formation in 2015 with the West Jersey Football League.

The Hammonton Blue Devils are joining the WJFL in 2014, all but ending their Thanksgiving Day rivalry with St. Joe of Hammonton.

Gatley cautioned us that it's not a merger between the two conferences, rather the CAL will play crossover games with the Colonial in 2014 and 2015.

The CAL voted in overwhelming favor for the crossover games, the Colonial conference schools now must cast their ballots, eight out of 12 schools must approve the proposal.

Various matchups would be taking place including: Collingswood vs. Middle Township, Sterling vs. Cedar Creek, Overbrook vs. Lower Cape May.

Make sure to follow Tyler Donohue on Twitter for all the latest developments in this situation.

LISTEN to CAL President Mike Gatley: