Football dad looking for advice?

My son is in second grade, 8 years old, weighs 62 pounds, is very competitive but is contact shy and is participating in his first year of football. The only league available is for 3rd & 4th graders, that allow 2nd graders if they weigh over 50 pounds and they have parantel permission. The league weight limit is 125 pounds and you are not allowed to carry the ball if you weight over 95 pounds.

After three weeks of practice the coaches have asked us to reconsider our decsion to let him play. They state their reasoning is that he is contact shy, most of the other kids are older, larger, stronger and more aggressive. They also state they are concerned of injury.

My wife and I believe that they are most concern with winning, and since our son is not capable of playing at a competitive level, they would prefer he not play. This is just speculation on our part.

Our opinion is allow him to continue with football, learning and attempting to compete, as long as it is his choice and there is no significant additional risk of injury due to his size disadvantage.

Any opinions or advise? Anyone with knowledge of serious injury risks for children of this age?