Knoxville, Tenn (WVLT) -- Knoxville Police say they've busted eight Austin-East football players for felony theft. It all happened because of a three-day shoplifting stakeout last weekend.

Coaches and the Knox County Schools won't say whether the players will take the field for Friday's playoff game against Knoxville Catholic.

Police arrested Dana Littlejohn, 18, and Jared Neal, 19, Saturday. Police say their arrested teammates are minors.

KPD spokesman Darrell Debusk says, "Once those individuals were arrested, they were indicted. They were students at Austin-East and they were players on the football team."

Debusk says they all face charges of felony theft and evading arrest.

Volunteer TV talked with Dana Littlejohn's grandmother at practice Tuesday night. Ozella Littlejohn says her grandson is innocent, and he should be allowed to play.

"He didn't do the stealing," Ozella said about her grandson.

Police say the players shoplifted at the Marshalls on Washington Pike in East Knoxville. Arrest reports say officers saw the group worked together to pass and hide items under their clothing. The reports say the accused players refused stop when officers commanded them to do so.

Police say the players stole nearly $700 worth of merchandise.

"It was an organized effort. They went in with the plan. They knew what they were doing, and they carried out their plan, and they got caught," Debusk said.

But Ozella says Dana told her "he took them and dropped them off, and then he came back and picked them up. He wasn't involved in any of the theft stuff like they've said on the TV."

Austin-East's Coach said no decision been made about whether the accused teens will play in this week's game.

Knox County Schools says "This matter is still under review."

"If the coach thinks it's ok for them to play, and until they're proven guilty, then play," said Knoxville resident Jeff Phelps.

But Knoxville resident Shana Hinton disagrees.

"They all should get punished, if they're guilty or not. Why were you all there? It's already making our community look bad as it is."

Ozella says she'll be with her grandson in court.

"I teach him better than that. He knows better than to steal," Ozella said.

Knox County Schools says any further comments from the district could violate the Family Education Rights Privacy Act.

The players were among 33 people arrested in the sting.

Police say officers recovered $9,000 worth of stolen merchandise overall.

Knoxville Police partnered with the Knox County Sheriff's Office on the stakeout.

Police say they'll continue to crack down on shoplifting throughout the holiday season.

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) --The Knoxville Police Department and the Knox County Sheriff's Department arrested 33 people over a three-day period in connection a shoplifting sting, according to a Knox County Sheriff's Office release, and Austin-East High School head football coach Kwayu Graham says six to eight of those arrested are members of his football team.

According to the Sheriff's Department, 33 arrests were made in the shoplifting sting targeting 11 stores between Nov. 13 and Nov. 15.

Of the 33 arrested, eight were juveniles.

Two of the Austin-East players have been identified as Jared Neal, 19, and Dana Littlejohn, 18.

Despite the arrests, Coach Graham says the students involved will play in Friday's playoff game.

But Knox County Schools spokesman Russ Oaks says, "This matter is still under review, and Coach Graham's remarks are premature."

Officers targeted stores located in East Knoxville, West Knoxville and Farragut.

Approximately $9,000 worth of stolen merchandise was recovered.

Neal and Littlejohn both face charges of theft and evading arrest.

CLICK HERE to read the warrants against Jared Neal.

CLICK HERE to read the warrants against Dana Littlejohn.

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