Photo by Sam Yu Frederick's Josh Jackson protects the football as Tuscarora's Bryce Hether charges in for the tackle attempt in first-quarter action at Frederick on Friday.

But he wasn't one to hog the spotlight.

Said April: "It's FHS, not D-R-E."

Actually, the three letters that mattered most were TDP.

April threw three touchdown passes, including a pivotal shovel pass for the game's first score, leading Frederick to a 21-0 win over Tuscarora in the season opener for both city teams.

April spent last season as a defensive back and wide receiver. Such job experience can benefit a quarterback. April has a keen understanding of how defenses work and a valuable familiarity with the patterns his receivers run.

"That helped him with what he's (now) doing," Frederick coach Vince Ahearn said. "He was behind a real good quarterback."

That would be Damien Wallace, who passed for 2,007 yards and 20 touchdowns last season.

"The team felt good (for the opener), but I was nervous," April said. "I was like, 'Damien Wallace -- how am I going to compare?'"

He did fine Friday, completing 13 of 19 passes for 173 yards, for a team that has had a string of quality quarterbacks, including Wallace and Cory Rhodes.

Throughout most of the game, April fired short passes and handed the ball to Josh Jackson (20 carries, 98 yards). But in the third quarter, April placed a long spiral right into the arms of a running Brent DeHaven for a 41-yard touchdown pass.

April then ran for the two-point conversion, and he acknowledged Wallace, last year's quarterback who was among the many spectators for Friday's intracity matchup.

"I pointed to him," April said. "You learn from the best."

April also tossed a 36-yard touchdown pass to Danzel Ferguson, who alertly turned around and came to the ball.

But, the most important touchdown pass of the night wasn't nearly as long. With both teams playing conservatively and locked in a scoreless tie, the Cadets faced a third-and-three situation on Tuscarora's 15.

April slipped a shovel pass to Jackson, who muscled his way into the end zone with 1:50 left in the second quarter.

"The shovel pass down there was high risk," Ahearn said. "It had the opportunity to do something big, like it did. And it had the opportunity to put us in a bind."

April credited Ahearn for the call and Jackson for the all-important finishing touch.

Jackson got the bulk of the carries because Kevin Fisher -- another quality running back -- ended up starting on defense. Middle linebacker Alex Cornish was switched to defensive end, and Fisher replaced him at middle linebacker.

"Which he did an awesome job (of playing)," Ahearn said. "He would much rather be carrying the ball. He did a great job of carrying the ball (later in the game)."

Ahearn also praised Jackson, a speedy junior who saw action late last season. Jackson helped the Cadets mount long drives.

"We did pretty well until we got tired," Tuscarora coach Shawn Carey said. "Granted, the defense was on the field awhile."

The Titans rotated quarterbacks John Kelly and Brandon Ward throughout the game. Both took plenty of keepers, doing the bulk of the Titans rushing.

Kelly rushed for 70 yards on 13 carries. His 23-yarder in the fourth quarter was the key play in Tuscarora's most threatening drive, which stalled on Frederick 's 20.

Tuscarora lost its starting center, Stephen Middleton (6-foot-1, 265 pounds) to a broken leg and dislocated ankle at a preseason scrimmage last week.

"We're inexperienced," Carey said. "We've got a lot of young guys, and we've got to get into game shape."

Adam Vencill contributed to this article.