One of the top high school girls flag football teams in the country has a seventh grade phenom competing in the Little League World Series.
Three-time defending Alabama state champion
Central (Phenix City) enters the 2026 season ranked No. 2 nationally by MaxPreps and riding a 57-game win streak. But the Red Devils will have to wait a little while before gaining the services of
Kinley Rasmus, who has the Phenix City Little League team set to compete in Williamsport this week.
Rasmus is the daughter of former MLB pitcher Cory Rasmus and niece of former big league outfielder Colby Rasmus. She is a key contributor for the Southeast champions from Alabama.
Cory and Colby Rasmus helped Phenix City win the Little League World Series in 1999, the last time the team made it to Williamsport. Their father, Tony Rasmus, was the coach.
Central seventh grader Kinley Rasmus, left, will make her varsity debut with the Red Devils in 2026 but not before she competes this week at the Little League World Series. (PHOTO: Emma Holt)
During the regional tournament, Kinley hit .750 with four runs, two RBI and three stolen bases while patrolling shortstop and hitting out of the No. 2 spot in the order.
But where she really shined was on the mound, following in her father's footsteps. Rasmus pitched in three of the four regional games without allowing a single run and striking out 13 batters in nine innings (see highlights below). She saved her best performance for the regional final against Tennessee when she threw a complete-game, three-hit shutout with eight strikeouts to send Phenix City to Williamsport.
"We watched her pitch the Southeast championship, and she dominated," Central flag football head coach Mitchell Holt said. "That competitive spirit paired with elite talent will take her anywhere she wants to go."
Rasmus is also an up-and-coming flag football player. She previously served as Central's team manager and lead scout team player for the past two seasons, where the Red Devils have gone 39-0. Holt said he expects her to play a pivotal role in continuing the program's success.
"She will start for us on both sides of the ball," Holt added. "She's been serving as our manager for the past two seasons and has been one of our best scout team members, oftentimes running as the best player from the other team. She will be a huge part of our success this season and for the next five years."
Central, which is confirmed to compete in the inaugural MaxPreps Flag Football Showdown in San Diego on Sept. 11-12, begins its season Thursday against Montgomery Catholic. But for now, the Red Devils will cheer Rasmus on from afar as Phenix City takes on Northwest Region champion Soundview of Tacoma, Wash., in the first round of the Little League World Series on Wednesday.
"She's a very talented but humble young lady. She's a team-first player that always gives credit to her teammates," Holt said. "We definitely will miss her the next couple of games and will be excited to have her back, but she's making us all proud in Williamsport."
