St. Joe's Prep linemen D'Orazio, McKendry commit to Penn

One is a finished product. The other's a prospect.

Both were part of the city's top offensive line last fall for St. Joseph's Prep and now they're heading together across the city.

Prep coach Gil Brooks said yesterday that center Joe D'Orazio and tackle Joe McKendry have made oral commitments to Penn.

The 6-3, 250-pound D'Orazio, a first-team Daily News All-City selection, chose Penn over Air Force and Cornell. The 6-6, 275-pound McKendry, who saw half-time duty at tackle in only his second year of football, was also involved with Columbia, William & Mary and Richmond.

Brooks said of D'Orazio, "Joe is already very accomplished and has been the best center in the Catholic League the past two seasons, and he is one of the finest centers - if not the finest - I have ever had at the Prep."

He described McKendry as a player "with a big wingspan and very good athleticism; his best days are ahead of him."

Brooks credited ex-Hawk Greg Ambrogi, a star defensive back, with helping to assure D'Orazio and McKendry would give heavy consideration to Penn.

"Greg hosted them after the Harvard game, and it had a big influence," he said. *

- Ted Silary