I have been coaching my sons 8th grade class since they were all kindergartners. We did flag football for 6 years, then in 6th grade played a few tackle football games. Last year we had to start 7-8 of them vs mostly 8th grade teams because the class ahead of them isn't very big or very good. So they took some licks last year.
I know it sounds crazy (or maybe just weird) but having now 9 years invested into that group and getting to see them go out and play, and hopefully play well is emotional. Plus football means a lot of my family and particularly my oldest son. I dunno, you put a lot of work into something it's easy to be invested.