DANVERS – In the second half, St. John’s Prep looked every bit the part of a defending champion.

After falling behind at the break, No. 1 St. John’s Prep scored 32 consecutive points to start the second half and never looked back as it defeated Catholic Conference rival BC High, 56-34, to advance to the Division 1 state semifinals on Friday night at Cronin Memorial Stadium.

St. John’s Prep (10-0) will make its fifth consecutive state semifinal appearance.

“Just proud of our guys who came out the way they did in the second half,” said St. John’s Prep coach Brian St. Pierre. “We were able to run the ball like we normally do once we got going.”

On the heels of a pair of touchdown receptions from Marshall Rice and a 96-yard touchdown reception by Jacob Bierenbroodspot, the visitors took a 22-18 lead at the half.

St. John’s Prep, however, quickly turned the tide. On the first play of the third quarter Cam LaGrassa (17 carries, 102 yards) took a toss to the left and broke free for a 50-yard touchdown to put the Prep up 25-22. After BC High failed to convert a fourth and short in its own territory, the Prep extended their lead to 28-22 on a Langdon Laws 26-yard field goal.

The Prep kept its foot on the gas, forcing a BC High punt and then marching down the field over seven plays, highlighted by a Jimmy Nardone 34-yard rush and a Gael Garcia four-yard touchdown, to go in front 36-22. Deacon Robillard put the game firmly out of reach with a 22-yard touchdown rush on a quarterback keeper.

The Eagles rushed for 251 yards in the second half.

“We did not play well in the first half,” St. Pierre said. “I have a lot of respect for BC High’s players.”

Defensively, meanwhile, the hosts held BC High to just one, second half first down until the late stages of the fourth quarter. Mason McSweeney had a pair of sacks and a batted pass while John Droggitis forced a fumble that led to a 87-yard scoop and score by Grayson Ambrsosh.