By LANA CLIFTON

In the last two and a half years, the mayor of Bryant, Larry Mitchell, has witnessed growth in population within the city, new development in business districts and in the parks department and has dealt with storm water repairs in some subdivisions. He has also been able to enjoy the excitement of citizens and officials brought on by Bryant’s listing in Money magazine as one of the top 100 best small towns in which to live.

“I did not even know that we had been nominated or were being considered,” said Mitchell. “And then I was even more surprised that we were the only one in the state of Arkansas that was chosen.”

He said there were many factors that he felt contributed to the listing. “Over the last several years, Bryant has been very progressive in attracting new businesses and new residents.”

He mentioned that the 2000 census listed the Bryant population at around 9,900. He said he believed the number of people in the city had grown to around 17,000.

“And with that, new businesses are coming to service the residents,” said Mitchell.

By Rob Patrick

The key to the success of any offense is the guys up front clearing the way and protecting. So, with one returning starter, the Bryant Hornets are counting on the development of a new group this season.

Head coach and line coach Paul Calley thinks he’s got just the guys to make it happen.

As part of the countdown to the 10th Salt Bowl, BryantDaily.com is featuring the game stories published in the Bryant Times about the first nine. Salt Bowl IX was drenched by the remnants of Hurricane Gustav. It was played on Aug. 26, 2008, at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. There were two stories. — Rob

By ROB PATRICK

BRYANT TIMES

LITTLE ROCK — Call it having a nose for the football.

If there’s a football game being played in high winds and heavy rain, there are two things you can probably count on: The crowd ain’t gonna be as big and there will be fumbles.

There was actually talk that the 2008 Salt Bowl, the ninth edition of the designation and the 36th renewal of the rivalry between the Bryant Hornets and the Benton Panthers, might attract 30,000 fans to War Memorial Stadium, a record for high school football in the state. As it turned out, though, there might have been 1/10th of that on hand, braving the rugged conditions courtesy of the remains of Hurricane Gustav.

As part of the countdown to the 10th Salt Bowl, BryantDaily.com is featuring the game stories published in the Bryant Times about the first nine. Salt Bowl IX was drenched by the remnants of Hurricane Gustav. It was played on Aug. 26, 2008, at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. There were two stories. — Rob

By ROB PATRICK

BRYANT TIMES

LITTLE ROCK — The fans that were present at the Bryant Hornets’ pre-season scrimmage against the Pine Bluff Zebras on Tuesday, Aug. 26, could see it for themselves. Let’s just say it was not an encouraging performance for those wondering if Bryant’s inexperienced squad would be able to make this a re-loading season rather than a rebuilding campaign.

But head coach Paul Calley stayed upbeat in his post-scrimmage interview, realizing that a work-in-progress was underway, team confidence fragile and any criticism needed to stay in-house.

But, on the heels of his team’s convincing 36-12 win over the rival Benton Panthers in the 2008 Salt Bowl at soggy, wind-blown War Memorial Stadium, the coach acknowledged, “We were embarrassed by the way we played against Pine Bluff. We didn’t play very physical. We didn’t play sound. You know, we were kind of tentative. A lot of that comes from us being so young.

By LANA CLIFTON 

In March of this year, the Bryant Chamber of Commerce set up the 20/20 committee to support and develop youth programs for the city. One of the early goals of the organization was to find a program that would cultivate early literacy. The committee looked at different programs to assist in this goal.

At the beginning of summer, Patty Bokony, a co-coordinator of the group, brought in information about Dolly’s Imagination Library. This early literacy program was started by Dolly Parton and was designed to provide children 5-years-old and younger with a library of age appropriate books by sending them a new book every month. The group decided it seemed to be a solid program with a good track record of success in other communities, and that it was worth looking into.

This is the fourth in a series breaking down the personnel in each area of the 2009 Bryant Hornets football team.

By Rob Patrick

One thing’s for certain about the receivers for the Bryant Hornets: Their ability and willingness to block is just about as important as running routes and catching the ball.

That’s true every year, but it became even more vital in 2008 when one after another quarterback went down with injury and the passing game became a change of pace to keep the other team’s defense somewhat honest or a just-when-we-have-to situation.

The 86 completions and 163 attempts were the fewest since 1997 when the Hornets completed 27 of 83 passes on the season.

As part of the countdown to the 10th Salt Bowl, BryantDaily.com is featuring the game stories published in the Bryant Times about the first nine. New ones are posted each day. Salt Bowl VIII was played on Aug. 31, 2007, at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock. — Rob

By ROB PATRICK

BRYANT TIMES

LITTLE ROCK — And the trophy comes back home to Bryant.

Perhaps in the tumultuous days leading up to the 2007 Salt Bowl, the story of the 1978 Orange Bowl was told to the Benton Panthers — and maybe the Bryant Hornets too. Once upon a time, way back before they were born, there was this great team from Oklahoma with the Heisman Trophy winner and the Outland Trophy winner and lots and lots of talent. And there was this upstart team from Arkansas that started out as an underdog when the two teams were matched in the Orange Bowl but became even more so after Arkansas head coach Lou Holtz — you know, the old, skinny guy with the slight lisp that does college football analysis on TV (yes, he was a coach!) — suspended three starters . . . well, folks were expecting a laugher.

Swarmfest 2009 was held Saturday, Aug. 29, at Mills Park. A pep rally was held, members of the Bryant athletic teams were introduced, Hornets paraphernalia was on sale, and the event was catered by Corky's Barbecue. (Photos by Rick Nation)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — After having his regular start in the rotation moved back from Thursday, Aug. 27, to Saturday, Aug. 29, Bryant’s Travis Wood absorbed his second loss in seven starts for the Class AAA Louisville Bats (Cincinnati Reds), 5-3, to the Columbus Clippers (New York Yankees).

The loss snapped a streak of four winning decisions in a row for Wood, now 4-2 at Louisville and 13-5 overall this season.