Almost a week removed from the biggest game of their lives, three local football products had plenty for which to be thankful. Ryan Hamby, E.J. Underwood and B.J. Sander play football for Ohio State, and after helping the Buckeyes beat Michigan 14-9 last week to wrap up a spot in the Fiesta Bowl, the three got a six-day break and their first trip home in almost four months.

Away from the Scarlet and Grey confines and the car-overturning chaos in Columbus, these Buckeyes are getting more than just a few home-cooked meals and a reprieve from up-downs.

They're getting time to reflect, and time to look forward.

"Coming home is always special, but (beating Michigan) just topped it off and made it a little more special," said Hamby, a tight end from Moeller. "Everyone is excited for me, which kind of makes Thanksgiving a little happier around the family."

The last time these players were in close proximity to home was in September, when the Buckeyes escaped Paul Brown Stadium with a come-from-behind 23-19 win over the University of Cincinnati. Although the win kept Ohio State's perfect record intact - the Bucks are 13-0 heading into the national championship game - the team went back to Columbus right after the game. That meant everyone.

"At least I could say I was in Cincinnati for three hours," Hamby said. "But it's been forever since I really got to come home, so this week has been really, really good. Last night was the best sleep I've had in a while. It just feels good to be back in my own bed."

But being home, especially for members of the second-ranked team in the nation, has its drawbacks.

"Right after the Michigan game, people started asking me for tickets (to the Fiesta Bowl)," said Underwood, a defensive back from Hamilton. "I don't know what the ticket situation is going to be. I think we get around six or so. But a lot of people are asking."

For Sander, a punter from Roger Bacon, the questions started as soon as he walked through the door.

"All kinds of family members had already called my parents and asked what I'm going to do with tickets," he said.

Although the players have yet to decide what they're doing with their allotted tickets, their newly allotted free time is much less stressful.

"It feels really weird to be laying around and not doing anything with football," Underwood said. "Yesterday I woke up at 2 (p.m.) and thought I was late for practice. But I'm just going to take advantage of it and rest my body, then worry about coming back and working hard to get ready for the Fiesta Bowl."

The Fiesta Bowl is still more than a month away, but at 3p.m. Monday, the vacation is over. The Buckeyes have to report to Columbus for postseason preparations.

"We're just going to get back to lifting and running, basic things," Hamby said. "We don't know who our opponent is yet, so we're just going to have to stay tuned like everyone else."

Others

Cincinnati State soccer players Steve Tabar and Dennis Setters made the All-Ohio Community College Athletic Conference first team. Teammates Josh Pierman and Eric Koch were second-team selections.

Brett Dunlap (Lakota West), an Ohio Wesleyan soccer player, was second-team All-North Coast Athletic Conference. Erika Howland (Mariemont) was an honorable mention selection in the NCAC for Wesleyan soccer.

Mount St. Joseph forward Tom Luther (Moeller) was named Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference player of the week.

John Oscar (Moeller) of the Coast Guard Academy was named to the All-Freedom Football Conference team.

NKU's Mike Kelsey (Elder) was named Great Lakes Valley Conference basketball co-player of the week.

Abe Lawson (Fairfield), who plays football for Wilmington, was named to the All-Ohio Athletic Conference second team.

NKU volleyball players Sara Taylor and Cammi Welter were All-Great Lakes Region selections.

Wooster soccer player Andrew Debord (Indian Hill) earned a spot on the All-NCAC first team.

West Virginia Wesleyan football players Dan Breech (Lakota West) and Zach Condo (Turpin) were recognized by the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Breech was a first-team selection, Condo honorable mention.

E-mail rernst@enquirer.com