Greater Miami Conference play has not been kind to the Hamilton Big Blue this season.

After going 2-1 in non-conference play, HHS has lost all three conference games and struggled mightily in all three, but coach Bob Jacoby appreciates the effort the Big Blue continues to display.

“It’s tough when you lose games like those, but the biggest thing is we’ve got a bunch of kids who are working hard,” Jacoby said Wednesday evening. “I can’t say we haven’t had a couple of kids who haven’t fallen off, but the core group is working hard.”

Jacoby is hoping that attitude pays off Friday when HHS travels to Princeton for a 7:30 p.m. conference matchup with the winless Vikings. Princeton ranks last in the conference in rushing and total defense and points allowed per game, which could be just the tonic for a Big Blue offense.

“They’re in a lot of the same boat as us,” said Jacoby, who also indicated his concern about facing a team motivated by still looking for its first win. “They run an offense similar to what we do, so we see that stuff in practice. Defensively, they run 7-8 guys in box, so we’re not sure what we’re going to get up from them.”

Despite the best intentions of senior linebacker-running back Marcus Oliver, Jacoby isn’t expecting him to be ready to play against Princeton. Oliver still is working his way back from the left knee injury he suffered in Hamilton’s loss at Mason on Sept. 22.

“He’s probably our biggest leader, but he hasn’t been much of a factor the last couple of weeks,” Jacoby said. “There’s been a void.”

Senior center Robbie Parker has stepped up to provide some leadership, Jacoby said, and senior quarterback-defensive back Anthony Crouch has injected inspiration with his surprising comeback from a broken foot that was expected to keep him out for the season. Crouch played in last week’s loss to Lakota East.

“We needed a lift from him,” Jacoby said. “We thought he’d be out all year, but the doctors made a cast for the inside of his shoe. He’s happy to be back.”