The Gilmer Buckeyes have been named the Southwest High School Team of the Year by FieldTurf and Howie Long.

FieldTurf and Howie Long announced the winners of the 3rd annual FieldTurf Football Awards for the 2009 season Monday during the American Football Coaches Convention in Orlando, Fla.

Award winners were named in 19 different categories, with FieldTurf announcing two of the award categories on its own. These awards, with the exception of the NFL Coach of the Year award and the NFL Team of the Year award, are based on tabulated votes from Howie Long and FieldTurf executives, which includes a group of former NFL stars.

GILMER HIGH SCHOOL (Southwest HS Team of the Year) — A powerhouse in Class 3A every year, the Buckeyes did not disappoint in 2009, going undefeated at 15-0 and claiming the Class 3A Division 1 State Championship.

A complete list of winners is online at http://www.fieldturf.com/awards/

A company news release explains the awards process:

“FieldTurf is a company that has always been heavily involved with the well-being of sport at all levels. Our main goal is to provide the safest and best performing sports surfaces in the world to compliment the value of coaching, team play, and athletic ability throughout all levels of sport. Without good coaching and being able to work within a successful team, players of all ages and levels would not be the athletes that they are today.

“From a company whose founders are former professional athletes, we at FieldTurf value the importance of teams and coaches in sport. With over 3500 installations in North America, we have played a major part in the improvement of athlete safety, field durability, and increased playing time for teams all over the world. Internally, we have seen and recognized what dedication and team play can do for a company and an industry. It is now time for us to pay homage to those that do it on the field.

“Final winners for FieldTurf’s Coach of the Year and Team of the Year awards are announced based on tabulated votes from designated panel members and/or FieldTurf executives.”

FieldTurf was installed at Buckeye Stadium in the summer of 2005.