Joiner dismissed from Salpointe, plans to return

Jamarye Joiner, who had a stellar freshman season last fall with the Lancers, was dismissed from the school for “administrative reasons,” coach Dennis Bene said Friday.

“I can’t comment but it has nothing to do with discipline or anything of that sort,” Bene said. “It was an administrative decision; I met with the administration and they’ve been pretty decisive about their decision.”

Joiner, a 6-foot-1-inch 180-pound wide receiver/quarterback, has enrolled in a charter school and will not play organized football this season, Bene said. He is expected to return to Salpointe in time for his junior season.

“Jamarye and his family have handled everything really, really well and I expect him to be back enrolled at Salpointe for his junior and senior year,” Bene said. “He could arguably be the No. 1 recruit in the state his senior year; he’s got a tremendous upside and is a great kid.

Following a solid first season at Salpointe, Joiner was invited to play in the inaugural Adidas Freshman All-American Bowl and selected to the MaxPreps Freshman All-American Team.

Last fall, Joiner caught 22 passes for a team-high 345-yards receiving and one touchdown. He also rushed for 214 yards and three scores on 49 carries.

Joiner’s biggest moment of the 2014 season came in a 28-21 win at Tempe Marcos de Niza, when he made his first start at quarterback and scored the game-winning touchdown on a five-yard run to secure Salpointe’s 19th straight victory.

“It’s just a little bump in the road personally but he and his whole family have handled the situation with real grace,” Bene said. “Jamarye and I talk all the time still and, as far as I am concerned, he’s still part of our football family. I look forward to the day he returns.”