New London — It almost defied explanation: How can a kid who looks so small be so hard to tackle?

Maybe it’s the low-to-the-ground thing. Or enviable will. Or both. But this much was true through the entirety of the high school football season: Jacob Commander, despite height unbecoming most elite athletes, was a load to bring down.

Commander, a senior at New London’s Science and Technology Magnet High School, rushed for 1,307 yards on 186 carries this season, scoring 10 touchdowns and averaging 7.03 yards per carry. After quarterback Owen George sustained a serious injury, Commander completed 14 passes for 139 yards and two TDs. And on defense, he made 28 solo tackles with two sacks and a fumble recovery.

The kid who rarely came off the field has been named The Day’s 2018 All-Area Football Player of the Year, illustrating that the sport isn’t merely meant for behemoths.

“When I got into high school, it was a different experience. Everyone on the field is a lot bigger,” Commander said. “I don’t let it affect me. It motivates me to hit harder, run faster and do things better. If you’re taller, it’s just going to get me hyped.”

Commander was named to the Class L all-state team and to the Eastern Connecticut Conference Division I all-star team. He is also among the ECC’s elite wrestlers — he won last season's Class M state championship at 195 pounds — starting for the Whalers at 182. He is equally stout on the wrestling mat, using powerful thighs, hips and legs to overcome his vertical challenges.

“We really wanted Jacob to be more of a defensive player,” New London coach Johnny Burns said during the season. “But he was just too good. He was too good to take off the field.”

And to think the whole football thing began thanks to his mom, Donna. Commander was not exactly clamoring to wear shoulder pads.

“I started football when I was 7. I was kind of forced into it,” he said. “I didn’t really like it. My mom was like ‘you need some discipline.’ Football helped a lot.”

Soon, he was playing in the backyard with his brothers, recalling one day when they used a blizzard to their advantage.

Commander said frequently during this past season that his statistics weren’t as important to him as the team’s goal to make the playoffs. The Whalers, who beat defending state champion Killingly and last year's Class L quarterfinalist Fitch earIy in the season, struggled as the year progressed. No playoffs, despite Commander’s best effort.

“I was down about it,” he said. “We definitely could have gone. But then I thought that we finished out at least playing hard. I’m fine with that. We all went 100 percent. No regrets.”

Commander is entertaining college offers for both sports. He likes football a little better, but just may have another memorable wrestling season as well.

“I want to play in a big stadium where everyone is watching,” he said. “I really just want to work hard. I love football. I love wrestling. It doesn’t make sense to play those sports if you don’t love them. They’re hard. But I’ll do anything. Whatever the coach needs me to do.”

m.dimauro@theday.com