Germany: RB Lamar Carswell leading the charge for the Straubing Spiders

Vincent Lospinuso | American Football | 07/14/2022

After nearly 40 years in the lower levels, the Straubing Spiders entered the top league in Germany this year, as a part of the German Football League’s South Division.

They have definitely made their presence known and now sit third in the South, trailing only the undefeated Munich Cowboys and Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns.

The biggest part of their success has been their dominating ground game which leads the entire GFL. After four games, Straubing’s rushing attack is averaging 259.8 yards a game. The spearhead of this attack is running back Lamar Carswell. He has been far and away the best running back in the GFL rushing for 653 yards on 64 carries, averaging 163.2 yards per game and six touchdowns for the season.

Based on his history in Europe, his performance this season should not come as a surprise. The Toledo, Ohio native was a star back in 2020 for the Kuopio Steelers in Finland’s Maple League. As a member of the Steelers, during the regular season he averaged 9.3 yards a carry on 58 carries while rushing for 539 yards and 10 touchdowns. He then went off in that year’s playoffs accounting for almost half of his team’s touchdowns, resulting in a Maple Bowl victory against the Helsinki Wolverines.

For his success in the 2020 season, Carswell was named to the American Football International All-Pandemic Team. In 2021, he signed with the Wroclaw Panthers of the European Football League but decided to withdraw from the team shortly after signing due to personal issues.

After a year away from the game he has played since grade school, Carswell joined the Spiders’ roster, hoping to add some championship experience to a franchise unfamiliar with competing at the top level. Almost halfway through the season, the former Trine University star has proven his magic and is now on a team eyeing the playoffs.