It's been a rough week for the Hilo football team.

Just days after head coach David Baldwin was placed on indefinite leave for undisclosed reasons, the Vikings were dealt another tough blow: this one in the form of a 59-0 blanking at the hands of Punahou Saturday afternoon.

It was the team's season-opener and first under the direction of interim co-head coaches Kaeo Drummondo and Lisa Pana.

"It was tough, but no excuses, we've got to show up and compete no matter what the circumstances are," Drummondo said after the game at the Buffanblu's Alexander Field. "We're trying to them the kids that we still need to show up and we still need to execute."

Hilo has had its share of success under Baldwin, winning the past two Big Island Interscholastic Federation league crowns in Division I and giving perennial power Kahuku a run for its money in a 20-10 loss in the first round of the last year's state tournament, nearly becoming the first BIIF team to win a game in the 15-year history of the Hawaii High School Athletic Association tourney.

"We're just trying to be positive, take it day-by-day and keep the kids working," Drummondo said. "As long as they understand what our outlook is for the long run for the season, all we can do right now is take it day-by-day."

Drummondo said a number of players have stepped up their leadership since the decision to place Baldwin on leave was made by the school administration."

"We've had some kids step up and we get on them about that," Drummondo said. "We let them know that especially in this situation right here, we need them to hold themselves accountable. We've all got to work together and pull together and make sure that we keep moving in the right direction."

One of the few bright spots for the Vikings Saturday was the play of junior quarterback Kaale Tiogangco, who was an efficient 14-of-22 passing for 74 yards. After missing on his first pass attempt of the afternoon, Tiogangco completed his seven straight throws and 11 of his next 12. He spread the ball around to five different receivers and was not intercepted.

"He's an efficient quarterback," Drummondo said of Tiogangco, who was dealing with some muscle cramping in the second half. "He was just a bit sore, but he'll be OK."

Drummondo said the team, which flew in to Honolulu Saturday morning and returned to Hilo that evening, didn't suffer any major injuries in the game.

"There's a couple of boys that are banged up that we need to check on," Drummondo said. "We should be all right."

The Vikings (0-1) will return to the drawing board with another non-league game against another powerhouse from the Interscholastic League of Honolulu on the horizon.

"Obviously we got overwhelmed today and we have to improve," Drummondo said. "The fronts got overwhelmed and we have to improve in those areas. If we want to get to where we want to get to we have to run the ball and be able to stop the run and we understand that. We're trying to get that through to our kids and we've got to keep stressing it."

Drummondo is hoping that some time in late October he'll be able to look back at Saturday's one-sided loss as a blessing in disguise.

"I think we can get that outcome out of it," Drummondo said. "It's how we take it, how we break down the film and how the kids accept it. We've got to be humbled by this."

Hilo will take on fifth-ranked Kamehameha (2-0), which defeated Baldwin Saturday 53-0, Friday night at Francis Wong Stadium on the Big Island.