PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Eight teenage youth football players from Philadelphia are facing felony charges in Florida after authorities say they stole more than $2,000 worth of merchandise hours before their championship game.

The alleged theft happened Saturday morning at a sporting goods store in Polk County, where the teens had traveled to play in a youth football championship game.

The players facing charges are ages 14 and 15, and are members of Philly's United Thoroughbreds team.

One of the coaches told Action News over the phone Tuesday that they are not condoning the thefts some of the players are accused of.

He said it ruined a good thing for the entire team of players and coaches who put their hearts into the journey of making it to the championship.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd says the teens took an Uber to the Dick's Sporting Goods in Davenport.

"They let the team down," Sheriff Judd said." What about the rest of the kids on the team? They came from Philadelphia to compete for a national championship."

During a press conference, Judd unraveled a list displaying more than $2,200 worth of stolen merchandise. It's all centered on the people seen on surveillance video captured Saturday morning inside the store.

Eight players are accused of splitting up into groups and stealing the merchandise.

Officials said the manager saw it unfold and called police, who were waiting outside when the boys tried to leave.

The sheriff is taking a zero-tolerance approach.

"They were not taking bubble gum, one piece to chew - they stole over $2,000 worth of products, over 47 different products they stole," he said.

"You don't want to go to jail? You don't want to go to juvenile lockup? Don't steal," Judd added.

Deputies said the players allegedly stole football-related merchandise like lip guards, football gloves and hoodies.

One of their coaches told Action News that the boys snuck out without anyone knowing.

"I don't know if these were starters or not, but I can tell you that we were finishers. We arrested them," Judd said.

The coach said some of the boys were starters and that the organization is not condoning what happened.

None of those involved played in the game.

The coach also said other players are devastated after working nearly half their lives to make it to the championship.

After the arrests, the team went on to lose the championship game by 20 points.

Officials said none of the boys had prior records and didn't make any comments about why they allegedly did this.

They'll have to go back to Florida to face charges that include felony retail theft and conspiracy to commit retail theft.