Article 2: The number of non-player personnel on each football team’s, side-line shall not exceed a total of eight (8). This eight includes coaches, manager,
play counters, & water aids. Any coaching of players must be by a certified
coach. The Head coach will be held accountable for their sideline personnel
and all violations of this rule
In article 2 it calls out coaches separately from managers, play counters, and water aides. So I read it as you can have a total of 8 on the sidelines, they can include: coaches, manager, and play counters. "Coaching" of players must be by a certified coach. If you have a water boy/girl who is only filling waters and supplying the team with bottles, there not actually coaching a player. Same goes for a play counter. To me it plainly calls them out separately.
I think this is where the confusion comes in.