St. Paul’s overcame a sluggish start and used a balanced running attack to defeat Murphy 24-8 in Class 6A, Region 1 action at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on Thursday night.

Anthony Frazier rushed 14 times for 54 yards, Tate Johnston rushed six times for 63 yards and a score and Will Abrams rushed 10 times for 54 yards. Quarterback Braxton Byrd was only 6-for-16 passing for 74 yards, but threw a touchdown pass and rushed for a touchdown.

In addition, Anthony Jones scored on a touchdown run and Drew Ginsburg kicked a 26-yard field goal as the Saints improved to 3-1 overall and 2-1 in region play. They have a bye week before hosting Faith Academy in a non-region game on Sept. 29.

“We didn’t have great energy in the first half, and I challenged them during halftime to put together a better second half,” Saints head coach Ham Barnett said. “We’ve got to play every game with intensity. I’m looking for some guys to be leaders, and I’m going to challenge some guys during the bye week and clean up the little things.”

St. Paul’s had eight different ball carriers during the game.

“Anthony Frazier’s our No. 1 back, and we felt there were some things our other backs could do inside, so we did that in the whole second half of the game,” Barnett said. “As for our passing game, we’re going to have to throw it better to be successful (in this region).”

Murphy (0-4, 0-3) had a tough time offensively as quarterback James Holbrook managed 12 completions in 32 attempts for 220 yards passing, a touchdown, and an interception. Seven of those completions were to Jaylon Edney for 154 yards and a touchdown. The Panthers managed only 107 yards on the ground, with Jaden Edney rushing nine times for 68 yards.

“The guys I do have, they played hard, and we’re going to try and prepare for next week (against McGill-Toolen),” said Murphy head coach Justin Hannah.

St. Paul’s first score came with 4:15 in the first quarter when Byrd hit Walter Hensley on a 20-yard touchdown pass. Ginsburg’s 26-yard field goal in 4:25 left in the half made it 10-0.

But Jones’ 1 yard touchdown run late in the third quarter, which was set up by Byrd’s 41-yard pass to Johnston, made it a 17-0 ball game, and Byrd’s 9-yard touchdown run with 5:48 left in the fourth quarter basically iced the game. Murphy avoided a shutout with 1:28 left in the game when Holbrook connected with Jaylon Edney on a 70-yard touchdown strike.

“We have a young team, and my biggest fear is the maturity level,” said Barnett. “They have to learn how to overcome adversity, and we’re going to challenge them this week to do that. We’re going to have to learn to play with more intensity, because if we don’t, it’s going to be a long season in 6A Region 1.”