Sanders starts for Patriots, Pascoe starts for Giants

Porterville’s James Sanders and Bear Pascoe both started for their respective teams as the New York Giants beat the New England Patriots 20-17 in the two teams’ final preseason game on Thursday.

Sanders, a 2001 Monache graduate, started at safety for the Patriots and finished the game with three tackles. Sanders made all three of his tackles on the Giants’ two opening offensive series.

Meanwhile, all indications are that Pascoe will be on the Giants’ roster when the team opens the regular season. Pascoe started at tight end along with Kevin Boss as the Giants opened with two tight end formation. One of the Giants’ two other tight ends, Scott Chandler, received playing time. The other tight end, Travis Beckum, remained inactive with a neck injury.

NFL teams must finalize their opening 53-man regular season rosters by Saturday.