Talk about déjà vu. Providence’s Mitch Voltz knows a little bit about that topic.

The senior receiver thought he had a 15-yard touchdown catch in the left corner of the end zone as the first quarter buzzer sounded, but a penalty wiped out the play Saturday.

If at first you don’t succeed …

“It was a great ball by the quarterback, and he put in on my right shoulder,” Voltz said. “It was perfect execution. Then it got called back, and the coaches said, ‘Let’s do it again.’

“And he put the ball there again.”

Voltz had his version of 20-20 vision going, catching that 20-yard pass for a TD and adding a 20-yard TD run in a 42-12 win over Hillcrest in a Class 5A second-round playoff game.

The red-hot Celtics (7-4) scored a season high for points against the host Hawks (7-4) in Country Club Hills, and did so all in the first half for a 42-0 lead. Sophomore quarterback Leo Slepski ended up completing 7 of 8 passes for 208 yards, including short throws that turned into a 62-yard TD by Xavier Coleman and a 71-yard TD by Seth Cheney.

Kaden Nickel and Coleman had rushing TDs for Providence. Hillcrest scored in the second half as junior quarterback Gary Bradley hit Cameran Banks and Maurice Garrett for TDs.

But back to the déjà vu.

Providence coach Tyler Plantz enjoyed watching the play to Voltz unfold again.

“It was like Leo got in a practice throw, and he better do the same thing again, right?” Plantz said. “It’s awesome that we have receivers who can do that.”

Last season, Voltz played special teams and a little defense. Now, he has a receiving position locked down.

“He definitely brings in consistency and poise,” Plantz said of Voltz. “He’s a guy who also plays baseball, so he has elite ball skills. He starts in center field. He just gives you everything that you need.

“He takes coaching well. He’s the same guy every day. And he’s exactly what you want out of a captain. He’s done a good job setting the standard and keeping the standard.”

Both Slepski and Voltz are from Mokena, and they have formed a strong tandem.

“Mitch can do it all,” Slepski said. “He can take the handoff and run. He can catch the ball. Everything.”

Providence also picked up a huge, momentum-changing break Saturday on Hillcrest’s first possession.

After the Celtics scored on an 11-play drive, Hillcrest saw a 57-yard run turn into a fumble. Blake Garrigan recovered it, and seven plays later, Providence was up two scores.

And in that way, Voltz also is feeling a little déjà vu again. Last year’s team went 5-4 in the regular season before zooming through the Class 4A playoffs and taking second place.

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This season, the Celtics went 5-4, but so far have notched two big wins in the 5A playoffs. New year, new division, same story?

“Yes, this feels like last year,” Voltz said. “Last year, we were in a similar circumstance and we just believed in the coaches and believed in ourselves and got hot at the right time.”

Speaking of that, in next weekend’s state quarterfinals, Providence will host Highland (10-1), a 41-36 winner over Metamora.

The 6-foot, 175-pound Voltz, meanwhile, is trying to figure out where his future lies. His stock is high in baseball.

He showed strength and speed April 5 when he hit a three-run, inside-the-park homer against Hinsdale South at Duly Health and Care Field in Joliet during the Do It Stevie’s Way Tournament.

“I have a couple of baseball offers,” Voltz said. “But I’m keeping all doors open.”

. Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.