Congrats. I and my three brothers played football from the age of 7 all the way through high school. It's a great learning tool for team building and discipline. I played center and defensive tackle even though I was the runt of the littler at 6'2"
Winning is important (to winners). That's why they keep score and hand out trophies but at the younger ages it has to be restrained.
But hard work, dedication, and improvement are the real rewards. Do something special for your son in recognition of his hard work, he's earned it. Hopefully you'll be posting more in the years to come about his successes.
My daughter came home yesterday with a varsity volleyball letter and a "most improved player" trophy. She's worked her tail off and earned it.
She's 16 and a junior and just started playing volleyball her freshman year.
Last week she tried out for a 17 and under club team and made it, but the coach of the 18 and under team convinced her to join that team instead.
She's already set a goal for herself to not only be the varsity team MVP next year, but also to make the all CIF southern section team.
That is a very lofty goal and not easily obtainable, but if she works really hard and stays injury-free she might have a shot at it.
Maybe she can even get a college scholarship and save her old man a few bucks