Carl Peal

Peabody/Petersburg High, Petersburg

Carl Peal was a versatile coach of football, basketball, golf and baseball at Peabody High in Petersburg, VA. His golf teams won consecutive VIA State Championships in 1963, 1964 and 1965 and was state runner-up in 1966. From 1956–1970, his basketball teams at Peabody compiled a record of 214-59 winning five regular season district championships and three district tournaments. His 1960 basketball team was undefeated VIA Group I State Champions with a record of 25-0. In the state championship game, they defeated Maggie L. Walker High of Richmond by a score of 46-34. Coach Peal’s teams were known for their well-disciplined defensive minded style. After integration of Virginia’s public schools in 1970, Coach Peal became head basketball coach at Petersburg High where he raised the program to national prominence. His 1972 team went 17-3 and was followed by consecutive Virginia High School League State Basketball Championships with identical records of 25-0. This 50-game winning streak is among the longest in Virginia high school basketball history. These teams featured the play of High School All American player Moses Malone, who was one of the all-time great players in National Basketball Association history. Mr. Peal concluded his teaching career as Assistant Principal at Petersburg High.