Bryant Hall of Honor Class of 2024 officially inducted

The 1999 season marked the 50th anniversary of Bryant’s first football team. In those five decades, Bryant had just eight seasons with a 5-5 or better record and only one playoff appearance. There was no rich history, no tradition, and no expectations. Out of 32 teams in Class 5A, Bryant was ranked dead last at #32.

But Coach Daryl Patton instilled a belief in his players—every day, he told them they would be the team to change everything. And he was right.

The Hornets opened the season with a statement win at Conway, igniting an incredible journey. In just seven weeks, they climbed from #32 to #1. They finished the regular season 10-0—the first undefeated regular season in school history. They won Bryant’s first outright conference championship, earned their first victory over Benton in 13 years, and secured the program’s first-ever playoff win.

“This was a team no one believed in—a group that defied the odds and ‘Shocked the World.’ Their success didn’t just change that season—it set the foundation for the powerhouse program that continues today,” said former Hornet Head Coach Paul Calley.

Coach Mike Lee served as Bryant School District’s Athletic Director for 12 years. Under his leadership, Bryant athletic teams, led by passionate coaches and dedicated athletes, won 18 Arkansas State Championships.

Coach Lee’s impact extended beyond championships. With strong support from his peers and the Bryant community, he was named Class 7A Athletic Administrator of the Year in both 2012-13 and 2014-15. In 2021, he received the NIAAA Arkansas State Award of Merit in partnership with the Arkansas High School Athletic Administrators Association.

Marla Goshien was a standout athlete, whose Lady Hornet basketball team earned State and Overall Championships in 1988 and 1989. A two-time All-State and All-Conference (AAAA South) selection, she also earned spots on the AAAA State All-Tournament Team twice and was chosen for the Arkansas State All-Star Game. She was a First Team selection by the Arkansas Democrat, a Second Team selection by the Arkansas Gazette, MVP of the Joe T. Robinson Tournament, and a two-time OBU All-Tournament honoree.

Goshien continued her career at the University of Arkansas alongside teammate Sally Moore, where they won a Southwest Conference Championship, reached the NCAA Elite 8, and became the first SWC team to defeat Texas Women’s Basketball. She later transferred to Arkansas Tech, leading the team to an NAIA National Championship and earning First Team National Tournament honors.

Her achievements earned her induction into both the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame and the Arkansas Tech Sports Hall of Fame with her team.

Beyond athletics, Marla earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, served as a U.S. Navy Officer for eight years, and is now a Senior Human Resources professional.

Becky Patton-Davis, a 1989 Bryant High School graduate, was a three-year letterman for the Lady Hornets and a key player on two Overall State and AAAA State Championship teams. Her team also won three consecutive AAAA South Conference titles and an 8th place ranking in the USA Today Final 1989 Poll. She earned multiple honors, including three OBU All-Tournament selections, two AAAA South All-Conference nods, and spots on the AAAA All-State, All-State Tournament, All-Sophomore (Arkansas Gazette), and 1989 Arkansas Gazette All-Super Second Team. A multi-sport athlete, she also lettered in track and volleyball.

Patton-Davis continued her basketball career at Arkansas Tech before transitioning to coaching, leading Team Arkansas Elite to multiple state titles and the 2010 AAU D-2 National Championship.

Patton-Davis is the owner and operator of a state-licensed family home childcare. Married for 33 years to Brett Davis (BHS Class of 1986), she is the proud mother of two daughters, Logan (Dustin) Williams and Skylar Davis, and grandmother to Nash and Beckham Williams.

Erin Larson Franks began running track in 9th grade to avoid study hall but found her true calling in cross country. After recovering from a track injury, Coach Frank Chandler encouraged her to join Bryant’s newly formed cross-country team, a decision that helped shape the program’s success.

She had a strong sophomore season but truly excelled as a junior, placing 6th in the 1993-94 AAAA State Cross Country Meet and winning the AAAA State title in the 3200M. As a senior, she won the 1994-95 AAAA State Cross Country Championship with the fastest time of the day and led her team to a State Runner-Up finish in just its second full season. That spring, she defended her 3200M AAAA State title in track. During her Bryant career, Erin set or reset school records in cross country and track seven times, earned six All-State honors, and was a three-time Arkansas All-Star Team member—all while also being a three-year member of the Bryant High School Dance Team. Franks graduated from Bryant High School in 1995 and went on to compete in cross country and track at Northeast Louisiana University. Franks now lives in Benton with her husband and four children and works as the Government Relations Administrator for Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

Bart Reynolds, a 1991 Bryant High graduate, began his football career in elementary school with the Salem Chargers before excelling with the Mustangs and Hornets during junior high and high school. He signed with UCA in 1995 where he was named 1st team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association, 2nd Team All-American by the Football Gazette and 3rd team All-American by the Dr C.M. Frank All-American Team.

A four-year letterman, he was a two-time All-Gulf South Conference player (1994, 1995) and an Honorable Mention All-AIC selection (1992). He also made the CoSIDA All-South Team in 1995.

Reynolds remains among UCA’s all-time defensive leaders, ranking 3rd in career tackles for loss, 3rd in sack yards, and tied for 6th in career sacks. He led the team in sacks in 1994. As a redshirt freshman, he was part of UCA’s 1991 National Championship team, and during his career, the Bears won 39 games.

Reynolds returned to his alma mater, where he serves as a high school teacher.