[4] The Surge started their inaugural season by losing their first two games before Defeating New York/New Jersey by a score of 61–6 in front of a home crowd of 4,724 fans.

Notable players The Surge would start the 2008 season with a 5–0 record, highlighted by a dramatic 49–41 victory over the Chesapeake Tide and a ferocious rally to defeat the Flint Phantoms 49–48, before losing a 62–20 game against Rochester.

On the eve of their semifinal playoff matchup with the Lehigh Valley Outlawz, Offensive coordinator Jerry Snay abruptly resigned from the team, stating that he had not been paid in two years.

The same investors, mostly small business owners and retirees who borrowed some of the money they put up and had no experience in professional sports, allege that Mr. Lucas buried the team with sloppy bookkeeping, poor business practices, and out-of-control spending on hotel rooms, restaurant tabs, rental cars, airline tickets, and marketing expenses.

Reasons cited for the huge losses include the $40,000 plus tab the team ran up the first season with the Hilton Garden Inn hotel to house players, as well as money for plane tickets.