Irvington’s Malik Bakker leads Don Bosco Prep to state football title

IRVINGTON – Irvington’s Malik Bakker, a senior running back, rushed for 102 yards on 20 carries to lead the Don Bosco Prep varsity football team to a 21-10 victory over St. Joseph of Montvale in the state Non-Public Group 4 championship game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on Friday night, Dec. 4.

Don Bosco Prep, seeded second, finished the season with a 9-3 record. St. Joseph of Montvale, the No. 1 seed, finished its season with an 8-4 record. Don Bosco Prep, located in Ramsey, avenged a 17-7 loss to St. Joseph in the first game of this season. The title was Don Bosco Prep’s first since 2011 and seventh in the past 10 years. It was also Don Bosco Prep head coach Greg Toal’s 299th career win and ninth state title.