The argument of what is more important for a winning football team can go on and on.

Offense or defense?

No disagreement needed when you can count on both.

Fourth-ranked Marshalltown (11-0) has an undefeated CIML Iowa Conference championship as well as the first state playoff win in school history already to its credit this fall going into tonight's Class 4A quarterfinal matchup with fifth-ranked Ankeny (10-1) at Leonard Cole Field.

The Bobcats are among 4A's top 10 in scoring at 32.9 points per game, but where they have made the most strides this season is on the defensive side of the equation.

Marshalltown has moved from the bottom 10 in Class 4A in defense a year ago - 33.8 points per game allowed - to the top 10 in 2009 at 15.6 points per game.

"We play hard, we play smart and we do a good job of executing our assignments," said Marshalltown head coach Dave Holdiman. "In the game film you can see a lot of the drill work the defensive coaches do with their groups - D-line, linebackers and defensive backs - coming out. We're seeing a lot of transfer from the drill to the team and that always bodes well for the defense."

From his outside linebacker spot, Jon Vance leads the team in solo tackles (62), total tackles (86.5), tackles for loss (14), sacks (3.5) and blocked kicks (two).

"He's our emotional leader on that side of the ball and he's had an exceptional season," Holdiman said. "He's one of those guys that makes everyone around him play better and play harder, that's a sign of a leader. He's done a great job of rallying that defense and motivating people to play hard and play until you hear the whistle blow, that's what it's all about. It's about effort and he's given us everything he's had every time out."

Marshalltown's defensive average of 15.6 points per game is tied for third-best in the last 30 years of Bobcat history.

Ankeny presents another huge challenge to the MHS defense with a strong running attack. The Hawks have won the last five matchups against the Bobcats with the last being a 59-35 contest in 2007.

The Hawks have qualified for the state playoffs in each of the last 10 seasons and Friday marks their ninth straight year playing in the quarterfinals.

"Ankeny is a storied program, rich in tradition," Holdiman said. "Their players have been in this situation before as ours haven't, so we better understand that experience for them is a great advantage, a great teacher.

"We're going to have to play a flawless game to come out of this thing where we want to be. We can't let that (experience) be a factor, we've got to play our game and play well."

Gates to Leonard Cole Field open at 5:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. kickoff.