OKAY FOOTBALL FANATICS, THE QUESTION ARISE'S AGAIN. HOW DID THE FOOTBALL OFFICIAL'S DO THIS YEAR, COMPARED TO LAST YEAR. I MYSELF TOOK IN SOME GAMES THIS YEAR, AND FROM WHAT I SAW, THEY LOOKED PRETTY GOOD. THERE WAS ALOT MORE CONSISTENCY ON THE SIDELINE CONTROL. YOUR OPINION PEOPLE.

Overall, the refs did okay this year. My team received its share of "good" and "bad" calls. What gets my blood boiling, though, it when the crew seems to be biased toward one team. I think there should be more accountability for these crews. I know that the coaches rate the crew after the games, but does anyone even look at these ratings; do they look for patterns of really high or low ratings. I think that the officials should be required to watch a few game films each week and critique the crew. It would be even better if this was done by refs from another area so they wouldn't be biased. If the refs can't call a fair game, they should be fired. (Also, the uniforms should only go up to size XL. These guys need to be in good enough shape to keep up with the game to make valid calls.)

Don't get started with the refs. They did alot better this past season than last.

I disagree.

I have never been impressed with El Paso officiating. I have a friend who is a Franklin grad and officiated two Franklin games as a back judge this year.

I watched a film this year in which the official was so fat, that he could not bend over to spot the ball. So, he leaned to the side and dropped it. It always resulted in an extra half yard gain or loss. Terrible!

In many cases, not so much varsity, but the refs don't even know the rules. A punt snap was sent over the punters head and out the back of the end zone. Safety right? It was ruled a touchback and the punting team got the ball on their own 20, First down. Coaches were livid.

Too much of the good ole boy club, too many are not proficient of the rules and too many are out of shape and are not in position to make calls.

Alot of refs are out of shape but many of them are in great physical shape as well.

I doubt any of these guys, Los Flacos or Los Gordos will ever be picked to call big games, "State Champ Games."

dr. fil seems to me you will never be satisfied with the officials. like i had said before, they did a better job this year than in the previous years. some of the el paso crews have been called up from the uil office to officiate playoff games, as far as into the fourth round of the state playoffs. don't knock the refs they do a good job. i do agree though that some of them out there need to get into better shape, for those break away plays. as for the older refs, you all need to start thinking about giving it up, and make room for the younger guys, but overall you all did an great job.

This is my take on the Refs.

First ask how many kids stayed up past midnight on the phone or computer the night before the game.

Then count the number of mistakes made by all of the kids on each team, missed blocks ect.

Then count the coaching errors.

Then talk about the "Refs". I bet the refs have less to do with the outcome of the game than the others.

I am not knocking them, just being truthful. They need to be more consistant. They made some calls which were obiously wrong and costly. Visable with out a doubt to fans and spectator from both ends. When you hear mumbbling, and people from the opposing team saying, "they were wrong but hec we'll take it, that helped us" you know it was the wrong call. I noticed that when this happen, the next day that winning team is pretty quiet, that tells me they must have seen that call was wrong once they revieved film.
We are human and will make mistakes, learning from them is what counts, there is always room for improvement. There is no room for prejudice, favortism, or politics when officiating. Fair is Fair.
The stress the kids have over playing a game is one thing the stress that comes with playing the officials is another. How do you feel when someone accuses you of doing something you didn't do?

you hit the nail right on the head tigerwolf.

you call it as you see it. we do the best we can. remember, there are 22 players out there, only 5 of us.

overal ok but yeah they had their ups and downs but reffs are maily critize because the players dont wha htey want sumtimes so yeah but goo job refss keep it up

OMG I HATE THEM THEY GIVE ME 2 MUCH FLAGS

don't commit any fouls and you won't get any flags. HELLO !!!!!

I hate the holding penalty

were baaaaaack. so read up on your rules, so you all won't be telling us how to do our jobs on the field. oh and tell your coaches also.

were baaaack. just to let you know not to many changes this year. the best one is there will be no more sideline warnings. the first and second sideline foul will be an automatic five yards. the third will be a fifteen yarder, with the referee having the option of ejecting the head coach. so tell chucky veliz, ronnie hernandez to stay back. also no more five yard face mask, if they grab it and let go, no foul. so we don't want to hear no crying out there. if the grab and twist, yes, personnel foul fifteen yards. we will do the best that we can from our point. just let us do our job. you play ball the best that you can. good luck to all of our el paso teams. have a good season.

Thank mr indian. If only more refs were like you in speaking out and giving information.

Yea thanks for the information it really helps when we know the rule book

also remember, and pass this along to your parents,relatives and the fans up in the stands. tell them not to criticize the officials so much. they do the best that they can. it looks alot different from the stands, than on the field. food for thought, it is a felony in the state of texas to verbally abuse or hit a sports official. pass it along.

thanks for the info

doesn't anybody have anything nice to say about these guys?

AS I CAN SEE, NOBODY LIKES TO SPEAK ABOUT THE MEN/WOMEN IN THE ZEBRA UNIFORM, BUT DON'T FORGET THEY ARE A BIG PART OF THE GAME. WITHOUT THIER KNOWLEDGE OF THE RULES, SOME OF US WOULD BE TOTALLY LOST ON WHATS HAPPENING OUT ON THAT FIELD. TO MY UNDERSTANDING THESE MEN/WOMEN GO THRU ALOT OF HOURS OF TRAINING, CLINICS, RULES INTERPRETATIONS AND MECHANICS. REMEMBER THESE PEOPLE DO IT FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME, AND NOT FOR A LIVING. SO JUST REMEMBER WHEN YOU YELL OR CUSS AT THEM, PUT YOURSELVES IN THIER SHOES, AND IF YOU ALL THINK YOU CAN DO BETTER, THAN BECOME AN OFFICIAL. BELIEVE ME IT'S NOT AS EASY AS YOU ALL THINK IT IS.

There are a few good ones out there. Most need to go back to middle school games. The ones that are the worst are the ones that get intimidated by some of the head coaches in this town. I could swear that chuck veliz has worked most of them over. He and his staff are half way on the field most of the time and they never flag him, just like they were scarred of coach work.

Ladies & Gentlemen... Why are you so quick to critique the officials..??? Have you stopped and looked at yourselves in the mirror before you go to the games..??? ****!!! Some of the parents cant go the whole game without eating, Then you all have to sit down through the whole game, not to mention on something that wont hurt your tush, then you have to be drinking something the whole game.... sitting there yelling at the officials cuz your mijo didnt make the tackle cuz the official didnt call holding, even though mijo was slow coming off the ball..????--- Ok now whos out of shape, and who needs to keep up with who..?? Just like the Ol' saying goes... "DONT JUDGE ANYONE BY HOW THEY LOOK OR WHAT THEY DO.. IF YOU DONT LIKE IT TRY IT YOURSELF BEFOR YOU CRITIQUE SOMEONE"... Author unknown...

NUFF SAID!!!

there are to many old refs out there. i see some refs out there, that were there when i played, and that was 28 years ago. common uil, there has to be some age limit on this. i am sure there are young officials that are good at what they do, but because these old guys don't retire, they don't get a chance to be on a crew. i don't know how that works, but i suggest the uil needs to get involved. thier pysical ability is not what it use to be. maybe they can hold the chains or something.

i agree with epfan

Like I said if you dont like what you see then try it yourself and critique yourself before you critique someone else....---oh and epfan... get spell check gees!!

Cum onn ref dougnt bee dat way. Know Kneed 2 use spel chec on da enternet

so how are the refs doing this year armchair qb's.?

Why do you call us armchair qb's. We're fans you idiot. You are a prime example of the El Pasoans I speak of that open their mouths without thinking first.

The refs? Lets just say they are doing a better job that last season. If you were at the Riverside and Ysleta game like was you would see that some Refs are still letting emotions get the best of them. Ref practically took the game away from Riverside.

The refs in this town are worthless. They could not get a call right if they had a gun to their head. I have seen allot of 5A games this year and in each game they have either missed calls or made bad calls in every game. I do not know where they get their training but they have no clue!!

the refs suck. riverside and ysleta everything was going for the indians thanks to them. riverside got screwed up a good couple of times. but they over came it and won. but honestly the refs have no idea how to call a football game they just want the money which is ok but learn the game that your going to ref and actually earn the money.

I have played in and seen many El Paso high school football games where Refs have made terrible calls but that ref who called a Riverside player for unsportsmanlike when Riverside was on their own 25 it moved them back more into their territory. That was fine and all I could live with that call and sleep well at night but the next two plays did it for me. I wanted to go running down their and give that ref a piece of my mind.

Anyways on the next play after that unsportsmanlike call Riverside was like 2 and forever. Well Riverside threw a screen pass and the receiver broke it man. He ended up getting the first down. Guess what that same Ref threw his flag on that play and brought it back. That ticked me off. Okay cool. So they brought it back. Riverside next play on 2 and forever again they broke it and first down. Guess what flag again by that same Ref. That's when I was going to charge at that Ref. So Riverside is deep in their own territory leading 13 to 0. Riverside fumbles and Ysleta recovers. The Ref screwed Riverside and took away their momentum. Some how Riverside won the game but that Ref did all he could to help Ysleta or that Ysleta person with cash that hooked him up if you know what I mean.

Did the Refs cause your fumble to?

Ref do not cause fumbles but they do cause teams to lose momentum and attempt to frustrate coaches players which will result to mistakes

one single play called at just the right time can bust a team. everybody knows that. i was not at the game on friday, but it ticks me off that there is a possibility that one ref was trying to influence the outcome of the game. if that is really the case then its up to calderon or the principal to file a complaint against the ref. it's simple the game was taped, the coach and his staff need to review it. if they can prove that the ref is incompetent or calling three bad calls vs the rangers nullifying big gains--then its time for pat o'niel to step in and get involved. dont hold your breath! refs in el paso are biased, they have their favorites, they need to be held to high standards.

FYI Stealth, you need to keep up with the changes, Mr. O'Neil is no longer the A.D. at YISD... He has since moved to SISD for the last 2 1/2 years. Mr. Williams is the interm A.D. for YISD.. just some info I wanted to share with you. I hate reading posts when people dont know what their talking about.. =)

Then don't read it dumby. You read it and you responding to it makes you even more of a dumby

I'm glad to see that so many in El Paso know so much about football that they know more than the refs. I hope some of you will decide to be a ref so we can benefit from your wisdom of the game.

I still have one call in my memory. It was the first Eldorado Touchdown this year against Bel Air. When the reciever clearly pushed off our corner, not just pushed but shoved him way out of the way in front off to ways. Here I am on Side lines waiting to see yellow rain on to the field only to see a ref give the td signal. If You want to talk about bad referring you need to talk about that bull. Its not far when some one who doesn't even play on either team can decide a game. And you see them stink at their jobs. Refs in El Paso are lazy. They don't even deserve to be on the field, let alone be allowed to decide the out come of a game. Now, their are some good refs out their and I don't to offend them, but the higher percentage of refs in El Paso are bias, stupid, and lazy, I'm 16 and I'm pretty sure I know more about the rules of football than most refs in El Paso

Wow...WHAT??...did we watch the same game?? FYI it was not the same ref that threw the unsportsmanlike conduct a second time and it was not the same ref who flagged them for holding in that series...hmmm..good thing you didnt just out of the stands

What might have been the worst officiating game that I have seen in a while was last nights game Americas vs Bel air. I guess you gridiron loyals are right. The ref crew with the big fat ref are worthless. In the last quarter in one of the series Americas was penalized for 45 yards. Pathetic officiating. That crew needs to be kicked out. I am not blaming the officials for the outcome but the calls were terrible. The quarterback Zaespardo from Americas sustained a severe neck injury and the refs are to blame for that. When the injury occurred the play was at a stand still for about 10 seconds and the refs would not blow the whistle. Zeaspardo was being pounded for about ten seconds. He tried to come out after the refs finally blew the whistle and he calapsed before he got to the sideline. That crew should be kicked out or someone else will surely get hurt.

You guys are a buch of complainers!!! Why dont you mention thae fact that Zaesprado was pounded 3-4 times in a row way before he got pounded that last time when he went down??? Did you not see that?? Why do you have to whine about the officiating?? They did a pretty good job I thought Bel Air was penalized for over 90 yards and 1 ejection, not to mention had 1 60 yrd reception brought back.. Should I keep on going or should I stop here??? ---Stop making excuses an play to win, dont depend on anyone to help you win!!! More than likely that wont happen!!!

sorry guys but el paso has the worst refs in the state. They seriously need to re-learn all the rules!!

Highlander you should stop there. In the first place you don't know how to read. I stated in my post that the outcome wasn't decided by the refs. Bel air won the game. I am complaining about the officiating not the outcome. Have you been reading the posts on this site. It seems that most of EP Gridiron loyals agree. Are you still in seventh grade wake up.

atbd what are you mad about??? The refs are going to make the calls whether you like them or not. Enjoy the rest of the season sitting in the stands. The refs are what they are stop complaining and maybe start playing or become a ref yourself...

To bad that the school district cannot afford to pay for some good qualified REFS. Of all the years coming to High School games these REFS were the worse at the Chapin and Austin game! I hope in the near future when two top-notch teams are playing they at least invest some cash to bring in better REFS!

straight out the refs on austin vs chapin messed up big time! booooooooooooooooo! that should tell you everything. what's up with this refs?

Games are getting to big for local temporary refs. Irvin memorial had a packed house.

Why are saying the Ref lost the game for you? Did they put the ball in end zone or kick extra point or kick a field goal? Sound like to me that maybe you need to look at someone else. The Coachs in El Paso pick the Refs for their games at a meeting in April both Coachs have to said yes to that crew. Maybe you need to go and sign up to be come a Ref that way you can see how hard it is to do. The game was Chapin to win all they had to do was get a first down in the last 2 min of the game. But they 3 and out didn't help them.

exactly but with all the bad calls that was not possible! it wasn't one bad call or two it was many, everyone who saw the game saw this.

You are wrong because they may have missed a call or two but the missed call didn't take or put points on the score board. Maybe this time they let the Players and the Coaching Staff play. I just look at the paper and it shows the called 19 fouls during the game that a lot of fouls. Think about join them and see how hard the game from their view point. And more thing ask the Head Coach about the game because he grade the Refs who worked that game.

i saw the game and they made multiple bad calls like that chapin touchdown that they called back for now reason or at the end of the game when a chapin player stripped the ball from the austin back when he was still standing up and moving foward.BAD CALLS!!but good job austin and best of luck.

GO HUSKIES!!!!

Perhaps, you REFS should go back to what-ever kind of schooling you take to become a REF kinda of a continuing education thing. There were some horrible CALLS on BOTH teams and many, many that were ignored...You guys stunk up the place!
You want to be a REF then take the HEAT!!!

much ado about nothing i think...while the officials did make some "bad" call and other times "missed" calls the outcome of the game was not decided because of the officials...never are people going to be happy about the officiating, thats a given, so the least we can ask for is for the officials not to decided the game and last nite at the Chapin-Austin game, the officials' calls were not the deciding factor, and that's all we can ask for

i know people aren't perfect, i'm not and nobody else is but dang it seems like every single high school football game i go to the refs cripple one of the two teams that are playing...
it's getting ridiculous, i think if someone wants to be an offitial the standards should be ALOT higher than what they're are now so that way games don't get decided by bad calls(and for the record, flags have a big affect on games, and in some cases determine the outcome)

ok the refs were bad on both sides of the field in the austin-chapin game...they called one our tds back also so dont blame the refs for a lose you lose on your own...bads calls is part of the game and a good team over comes them and doesnt make excuses afterward...also on the "fumble" the refs had blown the play dead like 3 times already so the play had been over when the ball came out so not a bad call...dont blame anyone but yourselves for a lose no one can force you to lose but you!!! by the way good game friday chapin yall earned my respect and fought hard...i wish we could play again this year but we cant...goodluck in the playoffs make us proud!!!

GO PANTHERS!!! DC 08!!!

okay they did step it up this year however they still messed up on some games and that affected the outcome of the game i hope that by next year they get the point and STEP IT UP

just a technicality for EX REF. All Chapin had to do was recover the onside kick to win. The offense did not go 3-and-out because Austin recovered the onside kick & Chapin didn't get the ball till after they took the lead on a score, after which chapin eventually threw an INT as time ran out.

Before they score Chapin had the ball and had gone 3 and out that was before the score their first TD in the fail 3 min of the game

I played College Football.

One thing that always bugs me about El Paso football is the use of the ref as a crutch. They always blaming the ref. Everyone got a job. But, the guys in the stripes, they should not be the excuse ever. No matter how good or bad, they part of the game. Stop using the ref as an excuse for failure and coach up your team.

I dont think blaming refs is unique to el paso. fans from all over the country from high school, to college, to the NFL, complain about refs, esp. when their team loses

The point is that all refs make mistakes but EL Paso refs are the worst. Someone posted that the refs should take some type of continuing education or even getting more schooling. It is not fair for the teams when the refs call a bad game. I have never seen so many out of shape refs anywhere compared to El Paso. I have seen some refs that can't even move make calls a mile away, go figure. Pathetic.

In respect to the refs, I know its hard to see all penalities and to get everything right. But you have to agree that flags either takes or gives momentum to a team. In the Austin-Chapin game there were several bad and missed calls. Both teams had touchdowns taken away from bad calls. I agree with the refs needing to get in shape. Its hard to make calls when you cant keep up with the play. In the end it is the players that win or loose the game. The refs did not cause the outcome of that game. Both teams played hard and the best team won.

You hit the nail on the head. Refs especially refs in the playoffs love to throw flags at teams who have or are getting the momentum on their side. Refs love to throw ridiculous flags to upset the coaches and distract them which causes them to lose the momentum. It's done in college and in the pros.

juco...... right and wrong.. when its playoffs if the teams make it past the first round of playoffs then you get officiating crews that know what they are doing.... if your a 5A team you get out of town refs as it is in the first round just to be fair for both teams.. but 4A must go through the el paso refs in the bi-district. after that you get out of town refs. you get the crews that know the game of football and dont always make stupid calls they dont pick sides they do there job...... that is the only difference between the el paso refs and out of town crews

WHY DO YOU ALL COMPLAIN ABOUT THE REFS??? I DONT GET IT?? IF YOU WIN THE GAME ITS OK?? BUT IF YOU LOOSE ITS THE REFS FAULT?? LET ME GET THIS STRAIGHT IF YOU GET CALLED FOR OFFSIDES FOR EXAMPLE, AND THE BALL IS THROWN AND YOUR TEAM INTERCEPTS IT AND RUNS IT BACK FOR A TOUCHDOWN. BUT YOU WERE OFFSIDES AT THE SNAP SO THE CALL IS REVERSED AND THE BALL REMAINS OFFENSIVE, YOU WILL BLAME THE REFS FOR BRINGING BACK THE TD.??

I THINK ALL OF YOU NEED TO REF A GAME FIRST THEN SAY ALL YOU WANT...

I don't know but at the Chapin and Austin game refs threw flags when they shouldn't have and didn't throw flags when they should have. It's in the film.

Huskies... So If your NOT a REF how would you know when to throw the flag and when not to??????? Im am REALLY CONFUSED!!!

This Guy you are right. When they lose a game it's the REF but when they win they have no problem with the REF. Maybe they REF let the teams play this last game and the better team won or could it be that someone was looking passed the other team and lost the game on their own. NOT IN EL PASO BECAUSE THEY ONLY KNOW HOW TO POINT THE FINGER AT SOMEONE ELSE WHEN THE LOSE A GAME NOT AT THEM SELF AND SAY WE LOST THE GAME BECAUSE WE PLAYED BAD OR FUMBLE THE BALL OR JUST DIDN'T SHOW-UP WITH ARE A GAME. THAT ALL I HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THIS FORREST GUMP

I agree it is dumb to blame the refs, THIS GUY, but your arguement "If your NOT a REF how would you know when to throw the flag and when not to?" is pretty stupid. refs sometimes make mistakes & you do not have to be a ref to realize it. you act like the rules of the game are kept secret to everyone but officials

Just witnessed the Westside Bowl. That ref crew should be ashamed, embarrassed ........ all the above.

I can feel for them knowing first hand how hard officiating is; not matter what the game. I respect their giving their time so that we can watch games here. Just think if we didn't have them. I was always told to look like you know what you are doing and have confidence in your knowledge and the fact that you (as a ref) are the expert -- act like it. Don't be bashful & shy -- take charge. It's only a game -- there will be a tomorrow. But, know your stuff. Right or wrong you are the expert.

Won't go into what I saw. If you were there, I think you know. I have a good friend that has reffed for 12 years. Boy!!!! Will he get an earful tomorrow.

To all refs that gave their time and worked games this season -- thank you. Next year will be easier. Just remember -- you are in charge and you are the expert. Act like it.

from what I saw, the officials did a decent job tonight. aside from the time they took like 30 minutes discussing the ejections.

El Paso has the WORST refs in the history of refs. They should all be hung by there toes from the goal posts. The Westside bowl was the worst called game I have ever seen, on both sides of the ball, bad calls for/against Franklin AND Coronado. These refs should cover their faces in shame.

mausDe: Can you help me. Was anybody ejected? Where the flag was thrown, you would think it would be the receiver and defender by the ref. Any idea?

It is a hard and thankless job. I am not sure what the seriousness of the infraction was. I didn't see blood or fists flying. Ejection may have been a little strong if it happened. Warnings might have been in order. Help me know what happened. Thanks.

The Coronado player was eye gouging so bad that he jacked up the Franklin players eye and his contact was out of place so he pushed the T-Bird away to get him off him. They were BOTH ejected.

Really? Thanks. I must have been looking in the wrong place. Know who the players were? Apparently it wasn't near the ref who threw the flag. Side judge by the Coronado bench.

I don't really have a clue what went on that time. didn't see it, & didnt really understand what was going on til the announcer said that 2 players were ejected then I guess there were a ton of penalties, which ended up giving franklin a net gain of like 3 yards past the previous line of scrimmage & a 1st down. I had trouble understanding alot of the signals from the officials throughout the night & sometimes the only way I could figure out what happened was by looking at the situation & where the flag was thrown. so many flags that I began to lose track. I think the refs were trying to send a message to both teams that they wouldn't be allowing any ugly play

its was number 81 from franklin will rodgers who was getting his eye gouged so he pushed number 3 alex bobadilla off of him cuz he had his hand in his facemask. and they were both ejected

I can't wait for a kid to get really hurt to see what the ref's are going to do cause they are the ones that are causing all these problem with missed calls.

The refs WILL NOT take responsibility if a player gets hurt.

Just as posted earlier. "Did the ref take away points or put points on the board," or words to that effect (Chapin v. Austin). The direct answer is no; so the refs are free and clear. However, when the ref takes away a fumble recovery (not the strip at the end, but the takeaway by #3 Rodriguez early in the 2nd qtr) and places the ball first and goal...What is the difference????

The refs will not take responsibility because "they aren't the one who took the late hit" or "kicked the other player." Although their actions may have led to the motivation behind whatever infraction.

Earlier in the post someone stated the REFs are in charge. I agree.

To that note; in the military there are two saying when it comes to leadership and being "in charge":

"When in Charge, TAKE CHARGE!!!" and
"Take Responsibility for your Actions"

If REFs would do these things, even an occasional "bad call" would be easier to take.

REFS give all the calls to the teams that are going to the playoffs so they can be picked for the playoffs they should change the system to a point system and at the the end of the year the crews with the best evaluations get the palyoff games. that would make the refs call the games correct becuse now the and evaluation from horizons head coach or Jeffersons coach would be as important as say Coach Veliz or coach Perales

great reply tired of the refs thats very true

For your info, there is only one Referee, the guy in the white hat. The other officials are Head linesman, Line judge, Umpire and Back judge. Texas HS does not have a Side judge.
The Officials start in July with a clinic that all officials must attend to learn the rule changes and mechanic changes. There is a weekly meeting held every Monday where situations and plays are discussed and reviewed. There is a rulebook that every Official reads and must understand and they have to pass a state test to call varsity games.
Officials review game film every week to learn and improve themselves. Officials don’t just “make up a penalty” and they don’t have agendas against a particular team. The reason they call a penalty is because a foul was committed, plan and simple. When it goes for the other team you cheer, when it goes against your team you cry foul.
They volunteer to work all of the spring and fall scrimmages for every HS team in the county, this means they dont get paid for it.
EP Coaches complain that when they play out of town, those officials favor the other team. EP Officials are known to be unbiased and call the game fair and on the up and up.
Yes, the view is always better from the stands than from down on the field and its even better on tv.
The reason you see older Officials is that there aren’t enough younger men wanting to Officiate. Officials normally work a double header on Thur, a varsity game on Friday night and a double header on Saturday not for the $$ but because there’s not enough Officials. If they didn’t, some games would be cancelled and we dont want that to happen. No, they’re not the best-shaped Officials but they do it for the love of the game and because they care about the players. If you think that you can do a better job, I would suggest stop crying and go out and do it! Call your local school district athletic dept and find out what you need to do and see you next summer.
Oh yeah, there has been an Official from El Paso in a Super Bowl, WAC, CUSA, MWC, Big12 and old SWC Conferences and there was one in the Texas-Texas Tech game so you should be proud that an El Pasoan represented this city.