Ernest Jones is the first player in the short history of Southern Vance High School to receive an invitation to play in the Shrine Bowl Game.  Jones stated that playing in such a prestigious game "is a personal honor but, it's an even great honor to represent my school and my teammates, who made all of this possible."  

Ernest is Vice-President of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and active in a number of clubs and organizations.  He is a three-year letterman in football and has been selected to the Northern Carolina Conference All-Conference Team for the past three years and to the All-Area team for his sophomore and junior year.  Ernest is an outstanding center fielder in baseball and also has all conference recognition in that sport.  Ernest was the Special Team Player of the Year in 2000 and team MVP in 2001.  According to Ernest, "football is a great way to relieve stress in the form of tough physical action against your opponent".  Ernest plans to enter NC State University early, in January of 2003, and work hard toward becoming an outstanding college athlete.  His career plans are to become an FBI agent or a psychologist.