There is no better ambassador for Mishawaka High athletics than Kamdon Putz.
"I've been involved in sports since I was four years old, so I basically grew up with a ball in my hand," recalled Putz. "However, I really started taking football seriously when (former Mishawaka teacher and assistant football coach) Gregg Smith introduced me and my best friend (junior quarterback) Landon Snyder to be ball boys for the (Mishawaka) high school team when we were in the fourth grade."
From that point on, the 5-foot-11, 185-pound senior standout has breathed, eaten, and slept not only Cavemen football, but basketball and baseball as well.
"I feel my greatest aspect of my athletic abilities is my leadership and knowing the game," explained Putz, who is a member of the National Honor Society with a 3.6 grade-point average. "My IQ of a football, baseball, and basketball player is my strength and knowing where to go and knowing where to be. Another strength is my will to compete and never give up no matter the score."
This has been especially evident on the gridiron where the three-year starting linebacker has excelled in the middle of the defensive unit.
"I love playing linebacker and filling gaps fast and angry looking to hit someone," explained Putz. "I also love blocking and being an angry dude on the line as a tight end."
After contributing 79 tackles with two for loss, a quarterback sack, and a fumble recovery as a sophomore, Putz really came into his own last fall with 113 total stops, including 11 for loss, four sacks, and an interception.
"Kam is the emotional leader of our team," explained Mishawaka head football coach Keith Kinder. "He has an edge about him that just goes to a different place when it's time to play. He is a three-year starter, so he's played a ton of football and understands the ups and downs of not just a game but a season. Our team thrives off the energy he brings on a daily basis.
"Kamdon's successes on the football field are directly attributed to his toughness and approach to the game. He loves playing with physicality and embraces all the things about football that are difficult."
Since a disappointing 28-22 loss at rival No. 5 (Class 6A) Penn on August 29, the Cavemen have been a club on a mission with nine straight victories.
Kam has been a big part of their success with 112 tackles, including seven for loss, 2.5 sacks, and three fumble recoveries with one returned for a touchdown through the first 10 contests.
"Our team chemistry and the way the players support each other are the main reasons for our success," explained Putz. "I also think the leadership this year from (senior defensive back) Drew Ginter, (senior linebacker) Ken Clemente, (junior quarterback-defensive back) Landon Snyder, (senior offensive lineman) Lucas DeWilkins, and myself has been really good. A special shoutout goes to (junior running back) Kadyn O'Neal and (senior defensive back) Colten Handley as they have also helped bring this team together."
His good fortune has also extended to the baseball diamond where he was part of Mishawaka's Class 4A sectional championship team in 2024 and on the hardwood as a member of the 2024 Class 4A sectional and regional champion basketball team.
"I prefer football and baseball over basketball, but football and baseball are tied," explained Putz, who is a catcher and a pitcher on the baseball team. "The reason for my success is the amount of effort and staying consistent in all three sports. When it is one season for a sport, I am also training for the two sports I play after my original season practice. An example is I have hitting lessons for baseball after practice for football. As a freshman in baseball, I have played in the big games and that has taught me I want to win for the guy next to me."
He believes juggling all three sports does have its advantages.
"I will say basketball helps gets me faster and more agile, while baseball helps me with my mental ability as it is a mental sport, and that translates by staying motivated in close games and season on the line games," Putz said. "Football teaches me I do not have to be the best on the field. I just have to do my job. That helps me knowing I can rely on others as football is a team sport, and you need to lean on others to be successful."
In addition to his family, Kam also has a lot of gratitude to Gregg Smith, who unfortunately passed away in 2021 from injuries suffered when he fell from a tree.
"My greatest influence is my father as he taught me to be a great man in life, but my mother and my brother have also been great mentors," Putz said. "I will be ever grateful to Mr. Smith because he introduced me to being a ball boy and that's where I met (2025 Mishawaka graduate) Jackson Snyder, (2025 Mishawaka graduate) Kaden Smith, and Landon Snyder. We have bonded ever since we were brought together and those three will be my three best friends for life."
Over the years, he has also established a special bond with Kinder and his family.
"Coach Kinder is not only the best coach and mentor, but he's an even better father to his family," explained Putz. "My relationship with Coach Kinder started when the legendary Gregg Smith introduced me to him. As Mr. Smith welcomed me to be a ball boy. I was terrified to meet Coach Kinder because he was the head coach of the high school team. But he was so welcoming and treated me like a son when I was in fourth grade as a ball boy. Coach Kinder had big games, but he always made time to check on me and make sure I was good, and he still does till this day. I want to be like Coach Kinder as he is so special to me and he is a great example of the father I want to be.
"From Coach Kinder to all the coaches, they treat us players so amazing and make sure they put us in the right spot to win. The Mishawaka Cavemen coaching staff is so close, and us players are so thankful we have amazing coaches, but more importantly leaders and mentors for us kids. As I speak for the team, we give a shoutout to Coach (Cory) Betzer as he has brought us closer to God and teaches us about the bible. A special shoutout also goes to Coach Lew (Matt Lewinski) and Coach (Joe) Calderone for teaching us the real way of life and what it takes to win in life."
Now in his eighth campaign in charge in the Princess City, Kinder is quite fond of his three-year starting difference maker as well.
"Kam is a wonderful young man and role model," explained Kinder. "One of my favorite things about this season has been to watch Kamdon and my eight-year-old son, Cameron, build a friendship. Cameron Kinder loves Kam and they even have a secret handshake together. Kam always goes out of his way to talk to him and play with him at practices and before games. He has been one of the biggest joys to coach because as good of a football player as he is, he's an even better young man."
Although he has put up some impressive numbers, Putz knows there is always room for improvement.
"A weakness of mine is trying to be the hero," Putz said. "Ever since I was a sophomore, I thought I had to make every tackle, but my coaches show me that I do not have to make every tackle and play. Another weakness is probably my speed, I am not the fastest, but I for sure will run to the ball no matter what.
While he has a special connection with certain people, Kam also cherishes his time with the rest of the guys.
"Our defense is a unit and all of the guys hang out every day and are together all of the time, either getting dinner or even staying the night with each other," Putz said. "We are best friends and support each other like no others.
"The offense is a unit as well. The triple-option (attack) would never work without chemistry and knowing your blocking assignments. From Landon (Snyder) and Kadyn (O'Neal), to the offensive line, they stick together, even with the little things, such as helping the fullback and quarterback up.
"No matter the side of the ball, we all love each other and will forever be there for each other in life. We rule as a group and a family. If one is battling, we are all going down swinging together."
It might be hard to believe, but he does have other interests.
"I love to help out in the community and help the little kids with camps and sports," Putz said. "I also love to hang out with my friends and go on adventures with them. I love to swim and love to work out in the weight room."
In terms of his future, Kam appears to have a plan in place.
"My long-term goals are to play two years of baseball at a junior college and then transfer to a four-year school and get my degree (business management or real estate)," Putz said. "What I need to work on is staying positive and keeping my mentality 100 percent as I want to be great. I will also need to stay consistent as I will be done with our football team workouts with our great strength coaches Michael Szerszen and Joseph Calderone.
"Then after baseball, I want to be successful in life. I want to be a part of a great business team and help people achieve a bucket list goal of purchasing a house. I would also love to umpire as a side job or even be a coach one day. Ever since I was a little kid I have wanted to grow up and live in a neighborhood with my best friends, so hopefully that will end up happening."
Over the past two seasons, the Cavemen has experienced their share of heartbreak.
After suffering a 19-18 loss to eventual Class 5A state champion Fort Wayne Snider in the 2023 regional, he is still smarting following an 18-13 setback to eventual Class 4A state runner-up East Noble in last year's semistate final.
Will the third time be the charm?
"We deal with disappointment by taking charge as leaders and staying by them (players) no matter what and making sure they know they have someone with them and someone they can lean on," explained Putz. "For sure, last year hurt me for a while knowing how close we were to making it to the state finals.
"I miss not being able to share the field with my guys like (2025 Mishawaka graduates) Jackson Snyder, Kaden Smith, Xavier Juarez, and Brady Newsome anymore. Knowing the fact that could be me this year, we are doing everything in our power to continue to play another week of football each week. Drew Ginter, Colten Handley, the other seniors, and I have grown up together. We talk every day and we do not want this special moment to ever come to an end."
With the end of his football career quickly approaching, he wants to make the most of the time he has left with his buddies.
"We can't take the moment lightly," explained Putz. "We need to live in the moment. There is nothing better than running out to our amazing community before the game cheering us on. There is nothing better than running out to Steele Stadium and doing our chant before the game.
"At Mishawaka, we do not get transfers or any of those kids like some places," explained Putz. "We all grew up in this program starting at the middle school. If you wanna play football at Mishawaka, it is a dedication. You grow up with these dudes and it is pretty cool to see us as one and being successful."
The next step in the quest for Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis takes place on November 7 when No. 2 Mishawaka (10-1) welcomes No. 7 South Bend Saint Joseph (10-1) to Steele Stadium for the Class 4A Sectional 18 championship.
