McDonogh senior Cap Poklemba has played baseball and soccer since he was 5.

On Tuesday night, however, Poklemba orally accepted a full scholarship to play football at Temple after only one season of high school football.

The scholarship, for soccer-style kicking ability that almost always landed the ball out of the end zone, will allow Poklemba to play baseball, as well. Mississippi, Clemson and Northwestern also expressed interest.

Several times last fall, the second-team All-Metro shortstop from Taylorsville took time away from soccer and football to go on recruiting visits for baseball -- his initial focus.

Poklemba keyed the Eagles' winning their first Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference soccer title and also the school's second straight MIAA B football crown.

Pub Date: 1/29/99