Greater El Paso Football Showcase Enters New Era With Nusenda Title Sponsorship, New Red Storm Coach and Historic Girls Flag Football Combine

By PREP1 Sports | October 27, 2026 | 📸 Veronica Garcia In El Paso, high school football is about more than Friday night lights. It is about community pride, lifelong relationships, and creating opportunities for young people long after their playing days are over. Few events embody that mission quite like the Greater El Paso Football Showcase (GEPFS), which is preparing for its 34th annual All-Star Game with a new title sponsor, a new leader for the Red Storm and an important expansion of its college recruiting combine. Announced Tuesday, October 27, the latest developments represent another significant chapter for a program that has spent decades bringing together athletes, coaches, schools, businesses and community supporters across the Borderland. Nusenda Credit Union Steps In as Title Sponsor The headline announcement is the addition of Nusenda Credit Union as the new title sponsor for the 2026 Showcase. Nusenda joins longstanding supporters, including BSN Sports and Casas de Leon, in helping sustain an event that recognizes far more than football players. The Showcase celebrates high school seniors across football, cheer, dance, girls flag football, JROTC, band, choir, sports training and sports media. For Nusenda, the partnership aligns with its commitment to supporting education and investing in the communities it serves. “Supporting education is how we were founded, and as we get to see not just the student athletics but all the participants that are going to be in the showcase, we are proud to support an event like this,” said Daniel Vasquez, Nusenda Credit Union vice president of consumer lending. That broader recognition is part of what makes GEPFS distinctive. The All-Star experience is not limited to the athletes who score touchdowns or make highlight-reel plays. It creates a platform for students across multiple programs to contribute, represent their schools and be recognized for their work. With Nusenda's support, the organization hopes to make its 34th edition one of its most memorable. Ryan Warner Takes Over as Red Storm Head Coach The coaching announcement brings another compelling storyline to this year's All-Star Game. Pebble Hills High School head football coach Ryan Warner has been named head coach of the Red Storm, replacing Mike Pry. Warner will face Del Valle High School head coach Rudy Contreras, who returns to lead the Blue Thunder. Warner joined Pebble Hills in 2024 after four seasons leading the Chapin program. During his time at Chapin, the Huskies captured district and bi-district championships, building a foundation that helped establish Warner's reputation as a coach focused on developing players and building competitive programs. His connection to the Showcase, however, goes beyond the sidelines. Warner participated in the All-Star experience as a high school senior, giving him a personal understanding of what the opportunity means to graduating athletes. “Thank you to Nusenda for your investment in El Paso, and I’m excited. I played in this when I was a senior, and I understand the pride that comes with it,” Warner said. “This is something our seniors really look forward to, not just football but everyone. I’m proud and honored to be considered for this position.” That perspective adds a meaningful dimension to his appointment. Warner is not simply preparing to coach an All-Star roster; he is returning to an event that was part of his own high school football journey. Across the field, Contreras brings a similar connection to the program. A 2001 Del Valle graduate, Contreras played quarterback for the Conquistadores and was part of several historic milestones in the school's football program. He continued playing football and baseball at Sul Ross State before returning to Del Valle in 2010 as a coach. He became the Conquistadores' head coach in 2019 and is now preparing for his ninth year volunteering with GEPFS. Together, Warner and Contreras represent two sides of the same football tradition: coaches who understand the significance of representing their communities and the lasting impact an All-Star opportunity can have on a young athlete. The announcement also brought together leaders from education, athletics and the local sports community to recognize the Showcase’s continued impact on Borderland student-athletes. 🎤 Daniel Vasquez, Nusenda Credit Union Senior Vice President of Consumer Lending; Jim Nunn, Socorro Independent School District Athletic Director; and March Duchene, Elev8 Gym owner and Combine director, also spoke at the event, sharing perspectives on the importance of community investment, athletic development and creating opportunities for local students. Girls Flag Football Joins the Combine for the First Time Perhaps the most significant development for athletes looking toward the future is the expansion of the GEPFS Combine to include girls flag football. Scheduled for Friday, December 18, at 4 p.m. at Socorro Activities Center I (SAC I), the 15th annual Combine will run boys football and girls flag football evaluations simultaneously. The addition marks a milestone for the event, extending its recruiting platform to female athletes and creating another opportunity for Borderland seniors to showcase their abilities before college coaches. Ariel and Alysse Blair will lead the girls combine. Ariel brings extensive flag football experience with Team USA and is a former UTEP softball player. Participants will have an opportunity to demonstrate their skills in front of college coaches representing NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA and other programs. The Combine was founded in 2011 by Javier Loya, an El Paso native and Burges High School graduate, to help increase recruiting opportunities for local athletes. His continued financial support has been central to the event's longevity. The results have been substantial. Since its inception, the Combine has helped El Paso students earn more than $22 million in scholarships and financial aid. For families navigating the cost of college and the recruiting process, that legacy represents something tangible: a chance for athletic ability, academic achievement and hard work to open doors. Eligible high school seniors must meet the Combine's participation requirements. Registration details will be available through 915Showcase.org. A Month of Events Leading to the All-Star Game The Showcase's impact extends well beyond the game itself. GEPFS has announced a schedule of events designed to recognize athletes, develop younger players and bring the community together. November 21 — All-Star Draft, 1 p.m. at the El Paso Community College Administrative Services Center Auditorium. Media are invited. December 5 — Mentor Day, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at Bel Air High School's main gym, where senior All-Stars will mentor middle school football players. December 12 — FCA Breakfast, 8–9:30 a.m. at the El Paso High School cafeteria. December 12 — Media Day, 10–11:30 a.m. at R.R. Jones Stadium at El Paso High School. December 12 — Quarterback Challenge, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. at R.R. Jones Stadium. December 18 — Football and Girls Flag Football Combine, 4 p.m. at SAC I. December 19 — 34th Annual GEPFS All-Star Game, 1 p.m. at Student Activities Complex II (SAC II). The December 19 game will once again feature graduating seniors from local high schools, with opportunities for participants across the Showcase's various programs. The event's community traditions will also be on display. Andy Rodriguez of Canutillo ISD will serve as the district band coordinator, with bands from Ysleta, Montwood, Canutillo and Andress high schools selected to perform. The Canutillo High School Choir will sing the national anthem. Bowie High School JROTC, led by Lt. Colonel John Lopez, will conduct the color guard. These elements reinforce a central part of GEPFS's mission: celebrating the collective efforts of students, educators, coaches and programs that help shape the Borderland. A Legacy Measured in Opportunity Over 34 years, the Greater El Paso Football Showcase has distributed more than 715 scholarships, totaling over $722,000 in scholarship dollars for local students, according to the organization. Those figures reflect the All-Star Game's broader commitment to helping seniors take their next steps after high school. The Combine's separate history of helping students secure more than $22 million in scholarships and financial aid further illustrates the importance of connecting athletes with college opportunities. The two efforts serve different but complementary purposes: the All-Star program recognizes and celebrates graduating seniors, while the Combine focuses on helping eligible athletes gain exposure to college programs. As the 2026 season approaches its December finale, the addition of Nusenda Credit Union, Warner's appointment and the introduction of girls flag football provide fresh momentum for an established community tradition. For the athletes, the coaches and the families who support them, the ultimate measure of success will not be the final score alone. It will also be the connections made, the opportunities discovered and the doors that open after the lights go out at SAC II. The 34th Annual Greater El Paso Football Showcase All-Star Game kicks off Saturday, December 19, at 1 p.m. at SAC II. For event details and Combine registration information, visit 915Showcase.org. PREP1 celebrates the athletes, coaches, schools and community partners helping create opportunities for the next generation of Borderland talent.