Inclement weather, timely defensive stops, a good punting game and a strong outing from running backs Marcus Oliver and Quintin Bailey helped Hamilton notch its first Greater Miami Conference win of the season Friday night with a 7-6 win over rival Fairfield.

Oliver and Bailey combined for 211 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries (7.3 yards per carry) as the Big Blue slipped by the Indians for the seventh time in eight years.

Fairfield’s scored in the first quarter on a 2-yard TD pass from Miles Harris to Tyron Harper but a botched snap led to a failed PAT attempt. Hamilton scored on the ensuing drive when Bailey broke an 80-yard touchdown run. A.J. Morrison’s PAT ended up being the difference.

Fairfield had opportunities to get back on the board late in the second half. But a costly fumble at the Big Blue’s 20-yard line with 2:08 remaining ended any hopes for the Indians.

“We missed a block at the point of attack,” said second-year Fairfield coach Jason Krause, who will have to wait until next year to earn his first conference win at FHS. “It looked like the guy came through, made the hit, and just forced the fumble.”

Fairfield came into the game leading the conference in total passing yards, but was limited due to the heavy rain. Quarterbacks Miles Harris and Ryan Nuss were held to just 53 yards through the air — their second-lowest total of the season.

HHS (3-7, 1-6 GMC) limited the Indians (2-8, 0-7) to 197 yards of offense and forced two turnovers.

“We thought we could establish the running game early and control the line of scrimmage,” Krause said. “That was a goal for us. …(The weather) kinda hindered us a little bit and changed some play-calling in some situations where we would have thrown the ball more frequently and just decided to keep it on the ground instead.”

The loss was Fairfield’s eighth straight to end the season.

Oliver finished with 95 yards on 21 carries. Bailey had 106 yards on the ground on eight carries. Tyler Denton caught two passes for 42 yards.

Recoe Walker rushed for 79 yards for the Indians.