New London — Coast Guard Academy's offense was all set for the 2016 season.

Two running backs to a set: one what offensive coordinater Ray LaForte refers to as an "A" back, a smaller-type, speedy feature back; and one "H" back or halfback, sturdier, capable of lining up in the slot, as well as running the ball.

That was until both "H" guys, sophomores Jeff Porter (mononucleosis) and Jacob Pawlina (injury) were lost in Week 2 in a defeat against Merchant Marine, when Porter was unknowingly so ill that appeared to be asleep on his feet during halftime.

Suddenly, the Bears weren't quite as versatile at running back.

Until Saturday. Porter scored two touchdowns in his return, one receiving, one rushing, and "A" back Cam Cecchini caught seven passes for 90 yards, including a 43-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown. Porter ran for four first downs, helping lift the Bears (3-3 overall, 2-1 New England Football Conference) to a 56-54 shootout win over Curry College.

And Wednesday's team luncheon left LaForte with a platform to revel a little in the versatility of the team's backfield, serving as a complement to the recent scorching play of quarterback Derek Victory.

"We're athletic people," said LaForte, filling in for head coach Bill George, who was attending the Gold Helmet luncheon Wednesday in Boston along with Victory. "We're not just trudging around like neanderthals.

"We have athletic people who are good at adapting. You can measure a lot of tangible things ... but you can't measure a running back's ability to know all the protections, know all the concepts, know all the positions. Our depth is our athleticism. We're a very athletic group of kids.

"We're more like a Swiss Army Knife than it would seem."

Coast Guard's return to a two-back set was timely, too. It gave the Bears a seven-man protection against Curry rather than the six-man scheme it had been running without Porter or Pawlina in the lineup, allowing Victory a true pocket from which to throw. He responded with six touchdowns.

The Bears, meanwhile, did not give up a sack against a Curry defense led, in part, by brothers Steve (linebacker) and Joe Grogan (lineman), who have combined for 10.5 tackles for a loss this season.

"It's kind of like we're putting in the same person (when we sub for someone), only more fresh," Cecchini said of the versatily of the backs. "That definitely gives our offense an X factor we can use throughout the rest of the season."

Pawlina is also expected back in the lineup, having returned to practice. The Bears play this week at NEFC opponent Nichols (2-4, 0-3) and hope to keep their momentum on offense.

LaForte calls the 5-foot-11, 175-pound Porter, who has a jump cut in his arsenal, the equivalent of a point guard in basketball who can cross over. Porter also plays defensive midfield for LaForte during lacrosse season.

Pawlina, at 6-foot, 190, was the best run-after-catch guy in the preseason, having been a member of Coast Guard's record-setting 4x100-meter relay team during track season.

LaForte said Cecchini, 5-10, 170, is the "edgiest" of the crew and that he expects him to gain confidence from Saturday's performance and he calls Colin Cashin, the other "A" back, "a little worm running kids over." Cashin, at 5-6, 160, was an all-conference honoree last year in lacrosse. All four are underclassmen.

LaForte said it helps the offense not to be unbending as a game unfolds.

"We're always looking to get the ball in a space where nobody is," LaForte said. "We can be rigid or we can adapt. I pride myself in helping the guys to adapt."

v.fulkerson@theday.com